Ocean Data Portal: A Standards Approach to Data Access and Dissemination

Abstract

Timely access to quality data is essential for the understanding of marine processes. The International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE) programme, through its distributed network of National Oceanographic Data Centres (NODCs), is developing the Ocean Data Portal (ODP) to facilitate seamless access to oceanographic data and to promote the exchange and dissemination of marine data and services. The ODP provides the range of processes including data discovery, evaluation and access, and delivers a standards-based infrastructure that provides integration of marine data and information across the NODC network. The key principle behind the ODP is its interoperability with existing systems and resources and the IODE is working closely with the Joint WMO-IOC (World Meteorological Organization-International Oceanographic Commission) Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM) to ensure the ODP is interoperable with the WMO Information System (WIS) that will provide access to marine meteorological and oceanographic data and information to serve a number of applications, including climate. The ODP supports the data access requirements of all IOC programmes areas, including GOOS (Global Ocean Observing System), HAB (Harmful Algal Blooms) and the Tsunami warning system as well as JCOMM. The diverse data standards and formats that have evolved within the oceanographic community make data exchange complex and the IODE community has recognized standards are critical in defining how and what data is exchanged. To ensure the interoperability of data exchanged between the NODCs and the ODP, the IODE, together with JCOMM, has initiated a standards process that will support the accreditation and adoption of core standards by the marine meteorological and oceanographic communities. 1. DATA SHARING PRINCIPLES The Earth's oceans form part of an integrated global system and to address global issues, such as climate change, it is essential for scientists to have access to relevant data, information, and products. The and open sharing of datasets is fundamental to ensure the rapid dissemination of data and information is available to researchers. International policies for the and open exchange of scientific data and information are advocated by a number of international organizations. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization) has adopted a resolution entitled IOC Oceanographic Data Exchange Policy (Resolution IOC-XXII-6). This policy recognizes that the timely, free and unrestricted international exchange of oceanographic data is essential for the efficient acquisition, integration and use of ocean observations. These data are gathered for a wide variety of purposes including the prediction of weather and climate, the operational forecasting of the marine environment, the preservation of life, and the mitigation of human-induced changes in the marine and coastal environment. Under this policy, IOC member states agree to provide timely, free and unrestricted access to all data, associated metadata and products generated under the auspices of IOC programmes. In addition, IOC member states are encouraged to provide free and unrestricted access to relevant data and associated metadata from non-IOC programmes that are essential for application to the preservation of life, beneficial public use and protection of the ocean environment, the forecasting of weather, the operational forecasting of the marine environment, the monitoring and modelling of climate and sustainable development in the marine environment [1]. Other international organizations have also adopted similar policies to encourage the sharing of data. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has adopted a policy for the international exchange of meteorological and related data and products. WMO Resolution 40 provides for the free and unrestricted sharing of data [2]. The Group on Earth Observations (GEO), which is coordinating efforts to build a Global Earth Observation System of Systems, or GEOSS, explicitly acknowledges the importance of data sharing in achieving the GEOSS vision and anticipated societal benefits. GEO is developing a set of high level Data Sharing Principles which call for the full and open exchange of data, metadata, and products shared within GEOSS, recognizing relevant international instruments and national policies and legislation. These Principles also note that All shared data, metadata, and products will be made available with minimum time delay and at