ASGMI Meeting – EMODnet Geology Project in the Dominican Republic.
Marine environment data is a valuable asset. Rapid access to reliable and accurate information is vital in addressing threats to the marine environment, in the development of policies and legislation to protect vulnerable coastal areas and oceans, in understanding trends, and forecasting future changes. Similarly, better quality and easily accessible marine data are prerequisites for further sustainable economic development, known as ‘blue growth’.
The European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) is a network of organizations supported by the EU’s integrated maritime policy. These organizations work together to observe the sea, process data according to international standards, and provide that information freely as interoperable data layers and data products.
This “collect once and use many times” philosophy benefits all marine data users, including policymakers, scientists, private industry, and the general public. It is estimated that such an integrated marine data policy would save at least one billion euros per year, as well as opening up new opportunities for innovation and growth.
On July 26-27, 2023, a meeting took place in Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic) between members of ASGMI from Central American and Caribbean countries and representatives of Eurogeosurveys and the EMODnet Geology Project, with the aim of exploring potential avenues for collaboration.
On the first day of meetings, project representatives gave a presentation on the work done and progress achieved so far.
The geology portal provides open access to geological data and metadata held by various geoscience organizations in Europe, giving us a better understanding of the ocean seafloor and its resources. The data is delivered in accordance with international standards, and geological data products are compiled at scales of 1:1,000,000, 1:250,000, and 1:100,000, or finer where the underlying data permit. The geographical coverage includes all the regional seas in Europe, the Caspian Sea, and the latest addition, the Caribbean Sea.
The recording of this session can be viewed on our YouTube channel:
On the second day of meetings, the geological services of Caribbean countries presented the available information on marine geology and the work carried out in this area.
The recording can be viewed at: