Since 2009, the European Marine Observation and Data network (EMODnet) has aimed to bring together multi-thematic fragmented data sources describing the marine physical environment hosted and managed by data holders scattered all over Europe.
EMODnet Bathymetry brings data providers and data users together by:
- Involving research institutes, monitoring authorities, and Hydrographic Offices in making their bathymetric data sets known, and using well adopted metadata standards and a modern geographic based internet portal;
- Enabling data users to locate data sources of interest through the EMODnet Bathymetry portal;
- Keeping the data providers responsible for the diffusion of their datasets at their best resolution and within their national legislation using a dedicated shopping mechanism within the EMODnet Bathymetry portal;
- Generating an unrestricted and free to download bathymetric digital terrain model at 1/16th arc-minute (approx. 115m resolution) based upon a selection of data sets from the bathymetric data providers, and facilitating most of the common usages of the bathymetric information within European waters.
EMODnet Bathymetry supports Seabed 2030 by:
- Contributing bathymetric gridded products for uptake by Seabed 2030 as the major input for bathymetric information in European waters;
- Providing frequently updated metadata associated with data held by major organisations, primarily in European waters, but also worldwide;
- Sharing and promoting methods and best practices in ocean mapping and bathymetric data management.