ODYSSEA will develop, operate and demonstrate an interoperable and cost-effective platform that fully integrates networks of observing and forecasting systems across the Mediterranean basin, addressing both the open sea and the coastal zone.
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The platform will collect its data from the many databases maintained by agencies, public authorities, and institutions of Mediterranean EU and non-EU countries, integrating existing earth observation facilities and networks in the Mediterranean Sea building on key initiatives such as Copernicus, GEOSS, GOOS, EMODNet, ESFRI, Lifewatch, Med-OBIS, GBIF, AquaMaps, Marine IBA e-atlas, MAPAMED and others with marine and maritime links. Through ODYSSEA’s end-user centred approach, in which the various groups of end-users and stakeholders, within and external to the Consortium, will be involved from Day 1 of the project in the design, development and operation of the platform, including identification of gaps in data collection and accessibility.

High priority gaps will be filled through multiple approaches that include developing a network of coastal observatories, deploying novel in-situ sensors at sea (a.o. microplastic sensors), oceanographic modelling and integrating existing mobile apps for citizen scientist networks. Applying advanced algorithms to organise, homogenise and fuse the large quantities of data in common standard type and format as well as other types of formats, the ODYSSEA platform will provide both primary data and on-demand derived data services, including forecasts, from ALL Mediterranean countries through a SINGLE PUBLIC PORTAL to various end-user groups and stakeholders. End-user requirements will drive the creation of secondary data sets which the platform will provide as new and packaged services matching the specialised information needs of users.

ODYSSEA will improve accessibility to existing data as well as increase the temporal and geographic coverage of observational data in the Mediterranean.

Upcoming Events
16th September 2019: OceanObs’19 – An Ocean of Opportunity – Honolulu, Hawaii, from 16-20 September 2019
The OceanObs is taking place every 10 years to pool the ocean observing community to enhance and optimize ocean observing [...]
Blog
Mar
19
ODYSSEA interviewed on Greek TV as cold front from Siberia brings big waves in the Aegean
Georgios Sylaios, coordinator of the EU-funded ODYSSEA project and professor at the Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH), was interviewed by Nikos Spitseris of Greece’s Center TV Pre-News program, to discuss the project as cold front weather system “Oceanis”, building up in Siberia, settled over Greece during the last week of February 2019, bringing with it heavy rains and snowfall, strong winds and big waves in North Aegean and Thracian Sea. “Using the meteorological forecast, we will able to predict the direction and the height of the waves – up to 4 meters near Athos and around...
Feb
12
First ODYSSEA Newsletter: Creating Products and Knowledge for the Mediterranean
The First ODYSSEA Newsletter (Issue 01) is released this month (February 2019). The Newsletter focusses on Blue Growth and the role of ODYSSEA, the ODYSSEA...
Feb
7
Moroccan ODYSSEA observatory launched at workshop event at Al-Hoceima
To officially launch work on establishing the EU-funded ODYSSEA project’s marine observatory at Morocco’s Al-Hoceima National Park in Morocco, ODYSSEA’s...
Feb
7
ODYSSEA showcased at the 2018 UN Biodiversity Conference in Egypt
The EU-funded ODYSSEA Project was given the opportunity to run an official “side event” highlighting its partnerships and capacity-building activities...
Jan
10
ODYSSEA highlighted at North Africa forum of Barcelona’s 2018 MedaWeek
The EU-funded ODYSSEA project’s Algerian partner, Nord Sud Ventures (NSV) CEO Arslan Chikhaoui, highlighted the project’s regional contributions in...
Dec
20
ODYSSEA Summer School opens participants’ horizons, bolsters professional skills and networks
Participants in the EU-funded ODYSSEA project’s first Summer School session, held in Kavala, Greece in early September 2018, reported that the experience...
Dec
18
ODYSSEA recognized by WestMED Maritime Initiative’s landmark Algiers Declaration
The EU-funded ODYSSEA is one of the projects identified as concretely advancing the major goals set for the future of the Mediterranean by nations represented...