Review of Marine Data

The Marine Data Review examined the potential for existing marine and public health data portals to help understanding of the complex interactions between the marine environment and human health.

Access to accurate and usable oceans and human health information – such as data on marine pollutants or maritime activities – underpins our ability to make evidenced-based policies.

Improved understanding of these relationships can lead to better policy and management of both the marine environment and public health, with societal and economic benefits. But what public data already exists that could be relevant in an oceans and human health context?

To investigate this, three pan-European marine data sources were reviewed:

• EMODnet (the European Marine Observation and Data Network)
• CMEMS (the Marine Component of COPERNICUS)
• European Atlas of the Seas

In parallel, overarching global and European public health data portals were also examined, including:

• WHO Global Health Observatory data repository
• Eurostat
• European Environmental Agency
• European Public Health: European Core Health Indicators

These screenings were finalized in August 2018 and resulted in two ‘living documents’, each listing the main topics and parameters covered in the data sources examined. The overview of marine data includes assessments of the relevance each listing has for oceans and human health.

You can download these overviews at the bottom of this page.

They provide the basis for the development of an analytical matrix to cross-reference both types of data. One axis would represent the public health component, while the other would represent the marine health component.

This matrix will facilitate the identification of interesting links in existing datasets as well as possible research gaps. It will also help to determine whether there is a need to develop a dedicated oceans and human health data portal providing access to information from various sources in a more targeted way.