Today, the EU-China partnership on marine data collection took a significant step forward with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) and the National Marine Data and Information Service (NMDIS).
The agreement strengthens the already well-established operational, technical, and scientific collaboration, providing a clear framework to advance joint efforts through the EMOD-PACE and CEMDNET projects in three specific collaboration areas:
- Sharing of available in-situ data, Earth observation, and modeled marine data.
- Exchange of knowledge and best practices regarding marine data, research, and development of information products and associated technologies.
- Development and implementation of common work plans between NMDIS and EMODnet related to ocean reanalysis, mapping of seafloor habitats, ecological vulnerability, and adaptation of coastal areas.
The memorandum outlines the sectors and initial activities expected to be developed within the cooperation partnership, with the possibility of updating the list over time through mutual agreement. The goal is to further stimulate the development of collective approaches and practices to address mutual and global challenges and concerns related to international ocean governance and marine data.
Given the ongoing pandemic, the memorandum of understanding pays special attention to EMODnet and NMDIS agreeing to mitigate and collaborate on all necessary measures to ensure as much progress as possible. Predicting immediate circumstances is challenging, but if feasible, the next meeting could be a face-to-face encounter in Tianjin, China, at the end of 2021, in November.
ETT is the leading partner and coordinator for the Physics section of EMODnet.
Visit EMODnet Physics website
Visit EMODnet website