Objectives
The Partnership Centre for the IODE Ocean Data Portal is based at RIHMI-WDC of Roshydromet in Obninsk, Russian Federation. It has 3 objectives:
1. The Partnership Centre for the IODE Ocean Data Portal shall contribute to the planning and coordination of the IODE Ocean Data Portal by:
(i) Maintaining and developing the IODE ODP specifications and tools, and coordinating the use of the IODE ODP technology for the distributed marine data system based upon the IODE data network and data sources from other IOC programmes, including JCOMM
(ii) Creating, in cooperation with the IOC Project Office for IODE, an enabling environment, and assisting in strengthening the capacity of the IODE ODP nodes to manage marine data and products, and to provide the IODE ODP resources and services required by users;
(iii) Assisting with the coordination and monitoring of the implementation of the IODE ODP work plan as adopted by the IODE Committee.
2. The Partnership Centre for the IODE Ocean Data Portal shall contribute to the development and implementation of the IODE Ocean Data Portal by:
(i) Developing, hosting and maintaining the tools and specifications of the IODE ODP for the portal and IODE data system operation;
(ii) Assisting IODE's ODINs, NODCs and other IODE ODP nodes to achieve their regional and thematic objectives;
(iii) Monitoring and reporting on the IODE ODP portal tools and specifications used by the IODE ODP nodes;
(iv) Providing an infrastructure to develop and test the web-based technologies and tools and also to generate new ideas and perspectives of the IODE ODP
3. Training and Promotion:
(i) Developing, strengthening and maintaining the IODE ODP data management training programmes and tools;
(ii) Promoting collaboration between relevant experts in integrated marine data management in IOC programmes and projects, other organizations and systems (e.g. OBIS, WIS, GEOSS)
The IOC Project Support Centre for the IODE ODP will report to the IODE Steering Group for the IODE Ocean Data Portal and to the JCOMM/IODE ETDMP
Staffing
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Establishment
The Partnership Centre was formally established through Recommendation IODE-XXII.9:
Recommendation IODE-XXII.9
TERMS OF REFERENCE OF THE PARTNERSHIP CENTRE FOR THE IODE OCEAN DATA PORTAL
The IOC Committee on International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange,
Recognizing the importance of integration of marine data and information from a network of distributed IODE data centres,
Recalling the establishment of the IODE Ocean Data Portal project through Recommendation IODE-XIX.4 in March 2007 to facilitate the seamless access to oceanographic, marine meteorology, and other data and products,
Recalling further Decision EC-XVL/Dec.4.2.1 on the Centre for the Ocean Data Portal, inviting the Russian Federation to consider entering into a partnership agreement with the IOC of UNESCO concerning this Centre with a view to exchanges of information and possible joint activities related to the Ocean Data Portal at RIHMI-WDC of Roshydromet in Obninsk.
Recommends the Terms of Reference of the Partnership Centre for the IODE Ocean Data Portal as follows:
The Partnership Centre for the IODE Ocean Data Portal shall contribute to the planning and coordination of the IODE Ocean Data Portal by:
- (i) Maintaining and developing the IODE ODP specifications and tools, and coordinating the use of the IODE ODP technology for the distributed marine data system based upon the IODE data network and data sources from other IOC programmes, including JCOMM;
- (ii) Creating, in cooperation with the IOC Project Office for IODE, an enabling environment, and assisting in strengthening the capacity of the IODE ODP nodes to manage marine data and products, and to provide the IODE ODP resources and services required by users;
- (iii) Assisting with the coordination and monitoring of the implementation of the IODE ODP work plan as adopted by the IODE Committee.
The Partnership Centre for the IODE Ocean Data Portal shall contribute to the development and implementation of the IODE Ocean Data Portal by:
- (i) Developing, hosting and maintaining the tools and specifications of the IODE ODP for the portal and IODE data system operation;
- (ii) Assisting IODE's ODINs, NODCs and other IODE ODP nodes to achieve their regional and thematic objectives;
- (iii) Monitoring and reporting on the IODE ODP portal tools and specifications used by the IODE ODP nodes;
- (iv) Providing an infrastructure to develop and test the web-based technologies and tools and also to generate new ideas and perspectives of the IODE ODP
Training and Promotion:
- (i) Developing, strengthening and maintaining the IODE ODP data management training programmes and tools;
- (ii) Promoting collaboration between relevant experts in integrated marine data management in IOC programmes and projects, other organizations and systems (e.g. OBIS, WIS, GEOSS)
The IOC Project Support Centre for the IODE ODP will report to the IODE Steering Group for the IODE Ocean Data Portal and to the JCOMM/IODE ETDMP.
The Partnership Centre for the IODE Ocean Data Portal was established formally also through a Memorandum of Understanding between UNESCO/IOC and Roshydromet (date of signature 25 and 27 March 2013):
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 %
