Understanding and assessing marine environmental status requires scientifically sound assessments based on quantitative monitoring of marine biodiversity. While the EU has some of the most monitored seas on the planet, inconsistencies in monitoring programmes, methodologies, and data quality and coverage represent a hindrance to informed policy decisions. It is therefore crucial to improve and harmonise the monitoring of marine biodiversity across Europe.

In this context, the European Commission, at the initiative of the Joint Research Centre, has launched an activity to address these inconsistencies and develop recommendations to improve and strengthen marine biodiversity monitoring across European marine waters.

This Marine Biodiversity Monitoring Harmonisation study consists of two parts. The first part focused on collecting and analysing information on monitoring methods and data pathways (online workshop held on 4–6 June, 2024).

The second part of the study focuses on analysing marine biodiversity data pathways in detail and providing recommendations to guide the future of marine biodiversity monitoring in Europe. These recommendations will be discussed during an in-person workshop in Sitges, Spain, on 5–7 November 2024. The workshop aims to establish a collective direction for the Future of Marine Biodiversity Monitoring in Europe through dedicated discussions on recommendations for improving monitoring strategies and optimising marine biodiversity data pathways.

Find out more about the event and register through the link below.