In response to IOC Circular Letter 2360 (14/9/2010) the following candidatures were received:
Ms Sissy IONA (Greece)
Current Place of Work: Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), Hellenic National Oceanographic Data Centre (HNODC), 6.7 km Athens-Sounio Ave., 190 13 Anavyssos, GREECE
Education: 1994, University of Athens, Greece, M.Sc. in Oceanography
Professional Scientific Experience: 2008 – : National Coordinator for Oceanographic Data Management in IODE of IOC/UNESCO; 2008 – : Head of the Hellenic National Oceanographic Data Centre (HNODC); 1995 – : Physical Oceanographer, Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR)
Participation in International Committees: 2009 – : Coordinator of the JCOMM Data Management Programme Area, Chair of the JCOMM Data Management Coordination Group; 2009 - : IODE Officer
Research Interests: Marine Data and Information Management, Data Quality Control, Water Masses Dynamics, Global Change
Ms Iona has been involved in 13 internayional projects such as MEDAR/MEDATLAS, EDIOS, SEASEARCH, BLACK SEA SCENE, SESAME, SEADATANET, EMODNET etc. She has also teaching experience in IODE and other training courses.
The IODE future: a personal perspective
The International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange Programme (IODE) -one of the oldest and major programmes within the IOC, was established in 1961 with the purpose to enhance marine research, exploitation and development by facilitating the exchange of oceanographic data and information between participating Member States. Since 1961, the IODE has been developed into a worldwide service oriented network of more than 80 National Oceanographic Data Centres (NODCs) and Designated National Agencies (DNAs), as well as marine information management (library) infrastructures. In parallel, IODE is serving the long-term archiving and exchange of oceanographic data and information on a global basis through its cooperation with the World Data Centres for Oceanography and Environmental Sciences. Furthermore, the capacity building and development being a core component of IODE Programme supports Member States to acquire the necessary skills to manage their marine data and information and become active partners in the IODE network.
In past years, the IODE Programme has been reviewed and adapted its activities in order to respond effectively to the new challenges and the emerging user’s demands for accurate and timely access of a diverse range of data, services and integrated products. Making use of modern computer technologies together with the enhanced institutional capacity and international cooperation, IODE managed to develop an efficient mechanism based on the distributed data bases and networks in order to facilitate and promote the open and unrestricted access to all related ocean data and information both in real time and delayed mode.
In the coming years, I believe that IODE should focus on the following priorities to realize the marine community expectations towards a global marine data system.
Cooperation with International Programmes and Organizations
It has become increasingly recognized the importance of the data management component within IOC and WMO Programmes as well as the benefits from the technology and infrastructure of the Ocean Data Portal (ODP) for developing marine services. This resulted into collaborative links with organizations and programmes such as JCOMM, WIS, OBIS and GEOSS. These links should be maintained and continue to be strengthened. The selection of the JCOMM/DMPA Coordinator as IODE Co-Chair will further expand the IODE-JCOMM cooperation.
Concerning the IODE cooperation with the ICSU on World Data System, the WDS could be linked with the ocean community through the ODP and the IODE system should become a key contributor within the new WDS and responsible for the long-term secure archiving of data.
Development of Ocean Data Portal
The IODE vision is to built an ocean data system of systems based on already existing and operational national, regional, and international ones such as NODCs, SeaDataNet, DMAC, IMOS, OBIS, HAIS, etc. Thus ODP is focusing on interoperability with all these different distributed data sources. High priority is being given to the interaction with the SeaDataNet infrastructure.
The IODE Ocean Data Portal (ODP) development has two stages, Version 1 (V1) and Version 2 (V2). The ODP V1 has the initial capabilities and based on the technical specifications and software of End-to-End Data Management (E2EDM) technology. ODP (V2) will have full capabilities with use of the international interoperability standards and tools. ODP v.2 will be available in 2011. However the number of data providers is still low. Within 2011 more member states should actively contribute with their data and metadata to the ODP.
ODP worked closely with JCOMM/WIGOS Project to connect ocean and marine data sources contributing thus to the WMO Information System. The Ocean Data Portal project is the IOC contribution to the Group on Earth Observations (GEO)/Global Earth Observing System of Systems (GEOSS).
Development of International Standards
The adoption and the implementation of interoperability arrangements between different systems is one of the most critical elements towards the development of an ocean data system of systems. Therefore, the use of common data management standards and best practices for the effective exchange and shared use of metadata, data and products is one of the biggest challenges within the IODE Data Centres.
In 2008 an internationally recognized process developed to accept, evaluate and recommend standards (IODE/JCOMM Ocean Data Standards Process). In January 2010 the first recommended standard was published in UNESCO Manuals and Guides 54(1), ‘Recommendation to Adopt ISO 3166-1 and 3166-3 Country Codes as the Standard for Identifying Countries in Oceanographic Data Exchange’. Two new proposals have been submitted for adoption and under experts review: (i) ‘‘The Proposal to adopt the SeaDataNet Common Data Index metadata profile (CDI) as a Standard for Oceanographic Data Exchange’’ and (ii) ‘‘The Proposal to adopt ISO 8601:2004 as the standard for the representation of Dates and Times in Oceanographic Data Exchange’’
IODE and JCOMM will continue their efforts for the development of standards and best practices to support broader data and information usability. At the same time the IODE community should implement the recommended standards in order to ensure its interoperability with the international schemes.
Capacity Building
The Ocean Data and Information Networks (ODINs) have been expanded in new regions of the world. Currently seven ODIN networks have been developed and are running with major priority the establishment and the strengthening of the regional centres for information and data management, contributing thus to the sustainable development in these regions. However, as some ODINs are not so strengthened compared to others, IODE and member countries have to examine the appropriate ways, necessary cooperation, national priorities and commitments needed to ensure that the new members will become key stakeholders at national and regional level.
In addition, IODE has developed OceanTeacher, a web-based training tool for data and information management related to Oceanography and Marine Meteorology. OceanTeacher In conjunction with the extensive training programme organized at the IOC Project Office for IODE, provides the necessary platform for ocean researchers and students to cooperate and interact effectively with their national oceanographic data centers. The NODCs and data managers should actively support the OceanTeacher learning tool by contributing training materials, manuals, catalogues on standards and best practices.
Mr Ariel Troisi (Argentina)
Current Position/ Place of Work: Head Oceanography Department, Navy Hydrographic Service (since February 2008)
Education: Licenciado en Oceanografia (Ocean dynamics, tides, waves and currents, coastal engineering, marine chemistry, sound propagation), Buenos Aires Technological Institute, 1981-1987; Sea Sciences Postgraduate course - Universidad Catolica Argentina, Buenos Aires, 1991-1992; Currently taking Masters degree in Science and Technology Policy and Management, Universidad de Buenos Aires.
Professional Scientific Experience and International experience: IODE national coordinator since 1999, participated in ODINCARSA initiative since its inception and have been national data coordinator since then; ODINCARSA-LA data management regional coordinator (December 2009- ...); International South Atlantic Buoy Program (ISABP) Steering Committee Vice-Chair (2002-2003) and Chair (2004-...); Responsible for Argo project in Argentina (2005-...); OCEATLAN - GOOS GRA Steering Committee Member (2005-...); Member of the IOC Advisory Body of Experts on ghe Law of the Sea (IOC-ABELOS) (2004-...); IOC national representation secretariat (1996-2005); IOC alternate national representative (2006-...)
To the IODE community:
My training, research and professional activity has provided me with a broad multidisciplinary background in marine sciences. I have progressively built on this background and complemented it with managerial experience. I have been directly involved with IODE matters for the last 20 years, 10 of them as Director of the NODC and IODE National Coordinator, and have been involved with related scientific activities of IOC for nearly the same period of 20 years. Additionally, my career has provided me with expertise in observing technologies and a wide range of sensors used to measure a diversity of variables, thus knowing the complete cycle of data and information from its collection all the way to the repository, including the quality control, analysis, synthesis, distribution and product development.
Within IODE activities I have been involved in the inception and establishment of ODINCARSA, in several capacity enhancement activities as well as assisting, as appropriate, the progress of IODE activities in Latin America and the strengthening of NODCs.
Due to my roles as ODINCARSA-LA DM Regional Coordinator, Chairperson of ISABP, as well as Alternate National Representative to IOC, I have developed significant interagency experience and became very familiar with working in a multicultural, multinational environment and within IOC- UNESCO.
I am fully cognizant of the responsibilities of IODE within IOC and also the larger community, being both data and information crosscutting issues and cornerstone to every scientific activity as well as basis for any informed decission. IODE is facing the prospect of growing responsibilities and new challenges in responding to the requirements and needs of marine sciences, operational oceanography and marine meteorology, global and regional assessment and observation initiatives. On the other hand, communication and outreach are key elements to ensure that a fully integrated data system rather than a multitude of systems. One of our greatest challenges falls within coordination and cooperation among member countries, partners and user communities.
Marine sciences have seen interesting, dynamic and particularly challenging times in the last decades. Technological development in several areas, such as information technology, communications, data collection platforms and instruments, have set new needs, standards and requirements, stressing the importance of continuing capacity development. Concerns on health of the oceans, climate change and variability, CO2 sequestration, sea level rise and response to natural disasters are just some examples of current interests. There is an urging need to implement best practices, enhance scientific exchange and provide the necessary capacity building opportunities.
IODE is blessed with a unique group of DM and MIM specialist, and has earned respect over the last five decades and I would commit to build upon and extending that respect and strong set of relationships. IODE needs to continue with its role of overarching coordination as well as a reference for standards and best practices.
In summary, I believe I possess the qualifications and professional experience required for the position of IODE Co-Chairperson and would like to submit my candidacy for your consideration.
Latest News
The IODE Programme Component, OceanTeacher Global Academy is seeking a consultant for 8 months
Please find the requirements here
This contract would run from 15 April until 15 December 2024.
Deadline to apply is 31st March 2024 Extended till 7 April 2024- contact point: Mr Peter Pissierssens (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
OBIS has a key role in several new projects that use eDNA or aim to further improve this technology for biological monitoring and we are glad to announce that we now have two knowledgeable staff members in our OBIS secretariat who are experts in eDNA: Dr Emilie Boulanger (consultant) and Dr Saara Suominen (project appointment).
Dr Saara Sumominen, after more than 3 years working as a consultant for us with projects like PacMAN and eDNA expeditions, now joined the OBIS secretariat on a project appointment contract basis to help implement 3 Horizon Europe projects (Marco-Bolo, eDNAquaPlan and DTO-BioFlow), coordinate the final scientific report of eDNA expeditions in UNESCO marine world heritage sites, and further develop the capacity to manage eDNA projects at OBIS.
Saara can be reached by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
More information on Saara's background see: https://obis.org/2020/09/15/saara/
Dr Emilie Boulanger joined us as a consultant and will support us with implementing two Horizon Europe projects: Marco-Bolo and eDNAquaPlan. Some of these tasks include (i) reviewing protocols and SOPs utilized for eDNA monitoring, (ii) testing bioinformatic workflows and comparing outputs across marker and taxonomic types, (iii) establish standards for genetic reference libraries and eDNA data repositories, (iv) aligning databases for enhanced interoperability, and (v) addressing the infrastructure and services for aquatic biodiversity monitoring using eDNA.
Emilie has a background in biodiversity conservation and marine molecular ecology. For her PhD at the University of Montpellier, her work focused on applying molecular methods to study the genetic and species diversity of fish populations and communities in the Mediterranean Sea. During her following PostDoc experience at the Aix-Marseille University, she applied her research experience towards teaching as well as developing monitoring projects coupling environmental DNA metabarcoding with direct species observations. She is passionate about the ocean, knowledge dissemination and projects that bridge scientific innovation with environmental conservation and policy.
Emilie can be reached by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
We received the news that Dr J.R. Wilson (Ron) has passed away.
Dr J.R. Wilson was Director of the Marine Environmental Data Service of the Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans. He was IODE Chair between 1992 and 1996 and chaired the 15th Session of the IODE Committee held in Athens, Greece. Dr Wilson was also GTSPP Project Leader and MEDS hosted the RNODC for drifting buoy data. Many of us remember Ron as a kind and very experienced colleague, always ready to advise and assist.
We offer our condolences to Ron's family.
(picture of the IODE-XV Session with Ron behind the Chairman IODE sign)
The IODE management group meeting took place in Oostende, Belgium from 5-7 February 2024. The Summary Report is now available : https://oceanexpert.org/document/33860
background documents and presentations are available on https://oceanexpert.org/event/3991#overview
The following items were discussed during this 2.5 days meeting: the action points of the XVII meeting, the status of the IODE network , the restructuring of the IODE elements , the IODE Quality Management Framework, the different Programme elements achievements in the past year , the collaboration with other entities, IODE role in the UN Decade and new possible initiatives to come.
OBIS is taking part in an EU-funded project, MARCO-BOLO (MARine COastal BiOdiversity Long-term Observations) which aims to structure and strengthen European coastal and marine biodiversity observation capabilities.
The main objective is to enable a digital framework for coastal and marine biodiversity data streams and data access. This will be done by building on international standards and approaches to establish the biological component of the marine
and coastal Earth observation Infrastructure in Europe. One of Marco-Bolo’s main aims is a more effective knowledge transfer and uptake of data and information products through the establishment of a stakeholder community and close engagement through co-design/co-creation workshops.
UNESCO-IOC is seeking an individual consultant to assist with the coordination of the Marco- Bolo project and more specifically the work related to Work Package 6 “Stakeholder Engagement and Community Integration”.
more information: HERE
Deadline to apply: 23 February 2024 (23: 59 CET)
contract start: 7 March 2024 - 75 %
