European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) is a network of organisations who work together to observe the sea, process the data according to international standards and make that information freely available as interoperable data layers and data products. It started in 2009 and is funded by the European Commission as a collection of separate contracts, separated by data theme – the theme of the current Syke-led contract is ‘Seabed Habitats’.

SAERI's role in the WPs includes:

**As part of WP1 - provide advice to the WP leader on benthic habitat classification systems for broad-scale mapping and assist in acquiring the best available environmental data layers for the target areas of the Caribbean.
**As part of WP2 - acquire seabed habitat maps and point observations from surveys for target areas of the Caribbean, and format them ready for publication on EMODnet.
**As part of WP3 - provide regional expertise in the process of updating the combined harmonized data products with geographical extent in the Caribbean, including the Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) as well as the Essential Fish Habitats and Coastal Wetland types.
**As part of WP5 - engage with all relevant initiatives, projects and groups in order to maximise EMODnet’s impact in the Eastern Caribbean.
**As part of WP6 - attend progress meetings and provide writing updates to Syke to inform formal reporting to the European Commission.
**To build capacity within MAERI for GIS and marine data management.

SAERI’s part of the project is based in Anguilla and is delivered in a cooperation with SAERI’s sister institute Mid-Atlantic Environmental Research Institute (MAERI) and Department of Natural Resources.