As for every other organization, the year 2020 was marked by the impact from COVID-19. As formulated by our Chair Gilles Lericolais in his foreword to the Annual Report, the search for solutions out of this crisis demonstrates that research is an investment in our future and should be kept at the heart of the EU’s new Framework Programme Horizon Europe. For EMB and our Member organizations, research and innovation are at the heart of our concerns, and this pandemic has brought new or different ways of organizing research activities, collaborating, networking, organising events, and communicating research results. Find out all about our activities in the EMB Annual Report 2020.
Recent Publications
EMB Annual Report 2020
COVID and Marine Science Update
During summer 2020, the EMB Secretariat conducted a survey to ask EMB member organizations about the impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns had on their research and teaching activities. In a follow up, the survey was re-launched in February 2021 to find out what had changed.
7th EMB Forum Proceedings
The 7th EMB Forum took place online on 23rd October 2020 on the topic of 'Big Data in Marine Science: Supporting the European Green Deal, the EU 2030 Biodiversity Strategy, and a Digital Twin Ocean'. 192 participants from Europe and further afield were present, representing academia, government, industry, and NGOs. Experts gave presentations and participated in panel discussions, with audience interaction. This document is a summary of the discussions, and full recordings of the sessions are available on the EMB YouTube Channel.
Report on initiatives, strategies and roadmaps that contribute to foresight in ocean observation
This report captures the major foresight initiatives and documents relevant for European ocean observation and forecasting.
Policy Needs for Oceans and Human Health
This Policy Brief highlights the inextricable links between oceans health and human health. It presents the main challenges in moving towards a European policy framework that supports and enables Oceans and Human Health to be addressed in a holistic manner. It highlights the research, training, data, monitoring and funding needs to enable such a policy framework to be developed. This publication was produced together with the EU-funded SOPHIE project.
Big Data in Marine Science
This Future Science Brief outlines recent advances, challenges and opportunities for big data to support marine science. To develop solutions to key societal challenges, there is an increasing need for more complex, transdisciplinary analyses across traditionally siloed disciplines and sectors. To achieve these goals, we need to move towards increased digitalization and the adoption of big data in marine science. The publication identifies overarching challenges and recommendations within the categories of data acquisition, data handling and management, service interoperability, computing infrastructures and data accessibility, data sharing, big data analytics, and training networks and collaboration. These are explored through topics and case studies on climate science and marine biogeochemistry, habitat mapping for marine conservation, marine biological observations, and pest control in the aquaculture sector.
News
Save our ocean to protect our health – scientists call for global action plan
Wednesday, 12 May 2021
Scientists have proposed the first steps towards a united global plan to save our ocean, for the sake of human health. In a commentary paper published in the American Journal of Public Health the researchers, including co-authors from the European Marine Board Secretariat, call for the current UN Ocean Decade to act as a meaningful catalyst for global change, reminding us that ocean health is intricately linked to human health.
New Science Officer joins EMB Secretariat
Tuesday, 04 May 2021
Ana Rodriguez joined the EMB Secretariat on Monday 3 May 2021 as a Science Officer. Ana Rodriguez (PhD 2019) obtained a B.Sc. degree in Biology at the Eberhard-Karls University of Tübingen (Germany) and subsequently completed an international M.Sc. in Marine Biodiversity and Conservation at Ghent University (Belgium), Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (Ireland) and Anton-de-Kom University (Suriname). She conducted her joint PhD degree at Heriot-Watt University and University of St Andrews (UK). Ana has experience working on marine conservation topics at WWF as well as at the European Commission. At EMB, she will take on the new upcoming H2020 project EcoScope which will focus on ecosystem-based management of fisheries, as well as other activities within the Secretariat.
#EMBaparttogether Campaign
Monday, 03 May 2021
In the run-up to the EMB Spring Plenary 2021 meeting, this social media campaign highlights the connections between those who have a link to EMB, even though meeting in person is still not possible. Anyone with a link to EMB is invited to engage on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook!
Publication of the EU International Ocean Governance (IOG) Forum Recommendations
Wednesday, 21 April 2021
The IOG Forum published it's final recommendations from the stakeholder consultation process during the 3rd IOG Forum online event on 20th April 2020. The document 'Setting the Course for a Sustainble Blue Planet: Recommendations for Enhancing EU Action' sets the course for a clean, healthy, productive, resilient and understood ocean by providing recommended actions for updating the EU's IOG Agenda. Increased global ambition for conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of marine ecosystems and biodiversity; integrated sustainability goals within the blue economy; a 'whole of ocean governance approach' to combating climate change; adoption of nature-based solutions; and increased coordination for ocean observations are among the key recommended actions.
EMB is looking for an Executive and Finance Officer
Friday, 16 April 2021
The European Marine Board (EMB) invites applications for the position of Executive and Finance Officer. The EMB Executive and Finance Officer is employed by the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) as part of a package of support provided by the Government of Flanders in hosting EMB at the InnovOcean site. The successful candidate will join the EMB Secretariat based at the InnovOcean campus in the port of Ostend, Belgium.
Latest Tweets
Upcoming Events
EMB Science Webinar - Big Data and ocean CO2 measurements
20 May 2021
On Thursday 20 May 2021, EMB will host its ninth Science Lunch Webinar on Big Data and the value chain of ocean CO2 measurements. The webinar will be 1 hour long and will take place from 13:00 - 14:00 CEST.
EMB Spring Plenary 2021
26 May 2021 to 27 May 2021
The EMB Spring Plenary meeting will take place on Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 May 2021. Due to ongoing precautionary measures and travel restrictions relating to COVID-19, the meeting will be held online.