As climate change accelerates, the demand for accurate, high-quality marine data is more critical than ever. The Black Sea, a region particularly vulnerable to environmental shifts, requires harmonised data collection, curation, and dissemination following international standards. Ensuring access to reliable data enables scientists, policymakers, and environmental managers to develop informed strategies for mitigating and adapting to climate impacts. The DOORS project, in collaboration with leading European Marine Research Infrastructures and the European Global Ocean Observing System (EuroGOOS), is addressing this need by promoting best practices in marine data curation for the Black Sea.
This webinar and training will introduce participants to international data standards and the DOORS data harmonisation manual, followed by hands-on sessions on curating data related to GOOS Essential Ocean Variables. Participants will hear from European Marine Research Infrastructures and international experts about tools and approaches to enhance data quality, accessibility, and interoperability, while aligning with FAIR principles. This event is designed for Black Sea scientists and data managers, as well as all those interested in international marine data management.
Programme
Part 1: International data standards and the DOORS data harmonisation manual
This session will focus on the importance of standardised marine data management, with insights from experts across DOORS, EMODnet, EuroGOOS Working Group on Data Management, Exchange, and Quality1 (DataMEQ), and European Marine Research Infrastructures. The DOORS data harmonisation manual will be presented as a key tool for fostering uniformity in data collection and curation in the Black Sea. After the presentations, a discussion session of the webinar will address the Black Sea data challenges, where participants will have the opportunity to share experiences and explore potential solutions to address regional data gaps.
Introduction – International Open Data Practices & DOORS Harmonisation Manual 3 April 2025, 14-16 CEST, online
Register here (Zoom link will be sent upon registration)
Introduction – Dina Eparkhina, EuroGOOS
International marine data initiatives and regional partnerships – Thierry Carval, Ifremer, France / EuroGOOS DataMEQ WG Chair)
Digital ecosystem – What do we mean by FAIR data? – Conor Delaney, European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) and EDITO Infra
DOORS System of Systems – Opportunities and next steps (Violeta Slabakova, IO-BAS, Bulgaria)
DOORS Harmonisation Manual – Popi Pagkou, HCMR, Greece
European Research Infrastructure services: EMSO – Aljaz Maslo, Euro-Argo – Yann-Herve De Roeck, EMBRC – Christina Pavloudi, Life-Watch – Alberto Basset
Interactive discussion with the audience
Part 2: Hands-on trainings, 4 April 2025, online
The second part of the event will feature two practical training sessions, addressing the specific Essential Ocean Variables and discussing data needs in the Black Sea.
Hands-on training 1: Physical and Biogeochemical Essential Ocean Variables
4 April 2025, 9-11 CEST – Register here (Zoom link will be sent upon registration)
Physical and biogeochemical data curation and use: Participants will learn how to manage and curate data related to physical and biogeochemical Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs). Trainers from Euro-Argo ERIC, EMSO ERIC, and EuroGOOS will guide the session.
Introduction to EOVs for physical and biogeochemical parameters – Thierry Carval, EuroGOOS DataMEQ Working Group
EMSO – Aljaz Maslo
Euro-Argo – Delphine Dobler
Hands-on training 2: Biology and Ecosystems Essential Ocean Variables
4 April 2025, 14-16 CEST – Register here (Zoom link will be sent upon registration)
Biology and ecosystems data curation: This session will dive into biological and ecosystem data curation, covering best practices for managing marine biodiversity data, with input from EMBRC ERIC and LifeWatch ERIC.
Introduction to EOVs for biological and ecosystem parameters
EMBRC – Christina Pavloudi
LifeWatch – Martina Pulieri and Eftychia Tzafesta