EBEGI – Coastal Observatory for Integrated and Optimised Marine Observation

What is EBEGI?

EBEGI is an initiative led by AZTI to integrate and coordinate marine observation activities along the south-eastern Bay of Biscay coast. It brings together data and metadata from multiple programmes and monitoring campaigns—including the EuskOOS Operational Oceanography System, the Climate Change Observatory, ecological quality monitoring networks for coastal and transitional waters, and multidisciplinary ecosystem surveys—within a single reference framework.

Its objective is to lay the foundations for an optimised coastal observatory capable of meeting the scientific, technological and management needs of the blue economy.

What challenge does it address?

• Information dispersed across multiple monitoring networks and programmes.
• Limited coordination between the different disciplines and sectors involved in marine observation.
• The need for a common strategy to optimise observation of the coastal marine environment.

How does it work?

Through the EBEGI Viewer, developed by AZTI, users can:

• Explore the geographical coverage and extent of different observation themes and networks.
• Visualise monitoring platforms by type, name and measured variables.
• Filter information by time period and depth.
• View variable statistics and download metadata.

The viewer does not provide direct access to oceanographic datasets, but it includes links and contact details to request access where appropriate.

EBEGI organises information into four levels:

• Topics – Broad thematic areas linked to programmes or projects.
• Networks – Individual projects or monitoring programmes within each topic.
• Platforms – Specific data sources, classified by platform type.
• Variables – Measured parameters grouped into categories such as topography, chemistry, biogeochemistry, physics, human activities, and biology and ecosystems.

Key benefits

• Integration and standardisation of information from multiple sources.
• A comprehensive, multidisciplinary view of the coastal marine environment.
• A decision-support tool for research, marine management and blue economy innovation.
• Identification of opportunities for technological and methodological improvements.