The EMSO ERIC team concluded a productive week at the One Ocean Science Congress, in Nice, from 3 to 6 June 2025. The team presented the unique EMSO contributions to advancing deep-sea science through long-term and repeat ocean observations. With a large and high level audience, the congress provided an excellent platform to highlight EMSO ERIC’s commitment to robust data management, harmonization, and responsive service provision in the face of global marine challenges.
Advancements in Data Management and Harmonisation
Aljaz Maslo, EMSO ERIC Data Officer, took center stage with an oral presentation highlighting the significant progress of EMSO’s Research Infrastructure in Data management and harmonization. A core part of this endeavor is EMSO’s involvement in the EU-funded Blue-Cloud 2026 project. Within this project, EMSO ERIC is dedicated to expanding and optimizing the Blue-Cloud Data Discovery & Access service, while also enhancing data FAIRness (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable).
Maslo’s presentation detailed how EMSO ERIC has transitioned from an initial centralised data infrastructure to a more efficient federated system, leveraging ERDDAP as its data backbone. This federated approach ensures that data is managed at the regional level while being accessible across the network.
Key highlights include:
- Custom EMSO Metadata Specification Document: This is a foundational element for enhanced data management.
- Adapted Standard: The specification is based on the OceanSITES Data Format and includes extensive compliance tests.
- EMSO Metadata Harmoniser Tool: This tool has been created to help users follow the standard.
- Significant Improvement: These initiatives have resulted in a data harmonisation rate of over 90% across EMSO’s regional facilities.
Beyond the technical advancements, the presentation offered compelling data overviews and trends, sharing extensive long-term marine data on temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen collected from all 14 EMSO Regional Facilities. This wealth of information underscores EMSO’s vital role in promoting informed decision-making around sustainable ocean management.
Responding to Global Challenges Through Enhanced Services
Ingrid Puillat, EMSO ERIC Director General, caught the audience by focusing on the ERIC’s significant advancements in service provision and its collaborative approach to address the pressing challenges posed by global climate change and natural hazards.
A key area of focus has been the Physical Access opportunities offered by EMSO ERIC through its extensive network of seafloor and water column observatories. These opportunities are facilitated through yearly calls for access, established since 2022, and within the framework of the EU-funded AQUARIUS project. These initiatives provide unparalleled access for new research or experiments in real marine environments, fostering innovative scientific discovery.
Furthermore, Director General Puillat highlighted the advancements in EMSO’s Communication Services. This includes the presentation of newly launched activities aimed at fostering a vibrant and interconnected marine science community. These initiatives range from personnel mobility programs and specialised training to engaging summer schools, all organised or co-organised by the EMSO Central Management Office or its partners across Europe. These programs, such as those offered by the EMSO Academy, are designed to promote training and professional development, equipping students, researchers, technicians, engineers, and research infrastructure users with new skills, broader knowledge, and valuable connections with experts.
For more:
EMSO ERIC: Advancing Deep-Sea Science with Long-Term Ocean Observations (oral presentation)
EMSO ERIC a pan European Marine Research Infrastructure to take the pulse of the Deep Ocean (poster)
Access opportunities to a unique long-term open-sea infrastructure (poster)
Capacity building in observations for a sustained stewardship of the deep ocean (poster)