Objectives
The IODE Clearing House Service for Data/Information Management Practices Project will enable research groups that wish to embark on a new project and need to prepare a data management plan, to look for methodology already used by other projects or data/information centres (“best practices”)
The service will be an e-repository of documents and links to related web sites. The service is aimed to promote the use of common methodologies in ocean data and information management and improved interoperability between these systems.
Establishment
The IODE Clearing House Service for Data/Information Management Practices Project (OceanDataPractices) has been established by the 22nd Session of the IODE Committee (2013) through Recommendation IODE-XXII.19:
Recommendation IODE-XXII.19
IODE CLEARING HOUSE SERVICE FOR DATA/INFORMATION MANAGEMENT PRACTICES PROJECT
The IOC Committee on International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange,
Acknowledging the important role and success of the IODE National Oceanographic Data Centres (NODCs) as key partners in realizing of the IODE objectives,
Noting the importance of including the ocean research and observation community as key stakeholders of the IODE,
Recalling the establishment of the Ocean Data Standards and Best Practices Project through
Recommendation IODE-XXII.6,
Noting further the growth of ocean research and observation programmes and projects, and the ability of these projects to establish data systems, and the importance of standardization and interoperability of data and information systems across the ocean research and observation communities,
Noting further the progress of the JCOMM/IODE Ocean Data Standards Pilot Project, the JCOMM Catalogue of Practices and Standards, and also the development of practices by other organizations, programmes and projects in the area of ocean research and observation, their related data and information management, as well as marine meteorology,
Recommends the establishment of the IODE Clearing House Service for Data/Information Management Practices project, with the Terms of Reference as attached in the Annex of this recommendation.
Instructs :
(i) The IODE Group of Experts on Marine Information Management (GE-MIM), jointly with the IODE Steering Group for OceanTeacher and Steering Group for the Ocean Data Standards and Best Practices Project to define the functional requirements of the Clearing House, to promote the Clearing House through appropriate channels, and to report back to the IODE Officers and IODE Committee on progress of the Project;
(ii) The IOC Project Office for IODE to develop and implement the Project in accordance with the functional requirements defined under (i).
(iii) The Ocean Data Standards and Best Practices Project to use the Clearing House to disseminate relevant standards and practices .
Invites IOC Member States, JCOMM, as well as other organizations, programmes and projects, to participate in, and contribute to the Project.
Annex to Recommendation IODE-XXII.19
Terms of Reference of the IODE Clearing House Service for Data/Information Management Practices Project
Objectives of the Project
(i) The IODE Clearing House Service for Data/Information Management Practices Project will enable research groups that wish to embark on a new project and need to prepare a data management plan, to look for methodology already used by other projects or data/information centres (“best practices”)
(ii) The service will be a repository of documents and links to related web sites.
[1] A Framework for Ocean Observing. By the Task Team for an Integrated Framework for Sustained Ocean Observing, UNESCO 2012, IOC/INF-1284 rev., doi: 10.5270/OceanObs09-FOO
Governance
At least initially the Project will be managed by the Joint IAMSLIC/IODE Group of Experts on Marine Information Management, the IODE Steering Group for OceanTeacher and the IODE Steering Group for the Ocean Data Standards and Best Practices Project.
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 %
