EMODnet Data Ingestion

EMODnet Data Ingestion is a European initiative that facilitates the collection, sharing, and integration of marine data from public and private sources that are not yet connected to existing infrastructures. The project supports data providers in submitting, safely storing, and openly sharing their datasets through the EMODnet network, promoting interoperability and improving accessibility to marine data for the benefit of the blue economy, scientific research, and environmental management.

EMODnet Thematic Services

EMODnet is composed of seven thematic services and one cross-cutting data integration service:

Bathymetry – seabed depth and topography
Geology – geological characteristics and sediments
Physics – physical parameters (temperature, salinity, currents, etc.)
Chemistry – water quality and contaminant data
Biology – marine species and biodiversity
Seabed Habitats – benthic habitats
Human Activities – human uses and activities at sea
Data Ingestion – entry point for new marine data not yet integrated into European infrastructures

All EMODnet services have been integrated into a single central portal, available at
🔗 https://emodnet.ec.europa.eu, which provides a map viewer to explore and download marine data from seven thematic areas, and a central metadata catalogue to enhance data search and discovery.

The Role of the Hydrographic Institute

As the National Oceanographic Data Centre of Portugal (NODC-PT), the Hydrographic Institute (IH) is responsible for coordinating and supporting the collection, management, and dissemination of national marine data, ensuring its long-term preservation and compliance with international metadata and format standards.

Main responsibilities include:

Managing, curating, and disseminating national marine data, ensuring long-term preservation and accessibility;
Ensuring data interoperability and quality, following international standards for metadata and formats;
Collaborating with EMODnet thematic portals, particularly Physics and Chemistry;
Supporting the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) and other EU policies under the EMFAF programme (European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund);
Promoting FAIR data sharing among national institutions — public, academic, and private — facilitating integration into European data repositories.

The IH participates in several EMODnet projects, notably:

Through these projects, the IH reinforces its role as Portugal’s national contact point and technical–scientific interface between the national marine data community and major European marine observation infrastructures.

Watch the video: Wake up your data!