Data Sharing Toolkit
BOX VII – Where to find the data I need
There is a wealth of open ocean data available via quality and trusted databases, portals and repositories. These range from international to national, and from multidisciplinary to thematic in focus.
Catalogue/ Portal/ Information system
Region
Descriptions
Thematics
Link
Global
The ODIS ‘catalogue of sources’ is an online browsable and searchable catalogue of existing ocean related web-based sources/systems of data and information as well as products and services. It will also provide information on products and visualize the landscape (entities and their connections) of ocean data and information sources
Bathymetry, Biological/Biodiversity, Biogeochemistry, Geology, Physics, Human activities, Social-economy
Global
The Ocean InfoHub aims to build a sustainable, interoperable, and inclusive digital ecosystem for all ocean stakeholders. Existing and emerging data systems are linked, with the ultimate goal of coordinating action and capacity to improve access to ocean data and knowledge.
Biological/Biodiversity, Biogeochemistry, Physics, Human activities
Global
OBIS is a global open-access data and information platform that document the ocean’s diversity, distribution and abundance of marine life. The evolving platform allows users to identify biodiversity hotspots and large-scale ecological patterns and plot species distributions in relation to abiotic variables such as temperature, salinity and depth.
Biological/Biodiversity
World Ocean Database (WOD)
Global
The WOD is an NCEI product and an IODE (International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange) project. WOD is world’s largest collection of uniformly formatted, quality controlled, publicly available ocean profile data. It is a powerful tool for oceanographic, climatic, and environmental research, and the end result of coordinated efforts to incorporate data from institutions, agencies, individual researchers, and data recovery initiatives into a single database.
Physics
Global
The global ocean observing system delivers more than 250 000 daily observations to a rapidly growing number of users and stakeholders, including most major ocean, weather, and climate prediction centers around the world.
Biological/Biodiversity, Biogeochemistry, Physics, Meteorology
Global
The information system PANGAEA is operated as an Open Access library aimed at archiving, publishing and distributing georeferenced data from earth system research. PANGAEA focuses on georeferenced observational and experimental data that is open to any project, institution, or individual scientist to use or to archive and publish data
Biological/Biodiversity, Biogeochemistry, Geology, Physics, Human activities
Global
GBIF is an international network and data infrastructure funded by the world’s governments and aimed at providing anyone, anywhere, open access to data about all types of life on Earth.
Biological/Biodiversity
Global
The Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON) is a thematic node of the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON).
MBON is a global collaborative initiative that contributes to the effective management of marine biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Biological/Biodiversity, Biogeochemistry, Physics
Global
The NASA Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC), managed by the Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN) of Columbia University, archives and disseminates scientific data for applied and research uses.
SEDAC specializes in spatial data in support of human-environment research, in the context of NASA’s Earth science mission and the overall U.S. Global Change Research Program.
Human activities, Social-economy
Global
GEOTRACES is an international program overseen by the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR). It provides open access marine hydrographic and biogeochemical data (trace elements and isotopes).
Physics, Biogeochemistry
4 ways to access GEOTRACES data to accommodate different users:
1. Bulk (full packages) download
(BODC site, 3 formats: CSV-ASCII, NetCDF and Ocean Data View (ODV) collections)
2.Online subsetting and extraction
(webODV Extractor, easy to select variables, region,
cruises, etc.)
3.Online analysis and visualization
(webODV Explorer, very user friendly, no need to download software or data)
4. eGEOTRACES.org Atlas (provides section plots and animated 3D scenes for many of the parameters)
(https://egeotraces.org)
Global
BCO-DMO, located at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, is a combination of the formerly independent Data Management Offices formed in support of the US JGOFS and US GLOBEC programs. The BCO-DMO database consists of research-ready data that spans the full range of marine ecosystem-related measurements including in-situ and remotely sensed observations, experimental results, models output, and synthesis products.
Bathymetry, Biological/Biodiversity, Biogeochemistry, Geology, Physics, Human activities
Global
ICES is an intergovernmental body that provides scientific advice for sustainable management of the fisheries and marine resources, mainly in the North Atlantic. ICES publications include advice on fishing opportunities, fisheries and ecosystem overviews. ICES Data Centre manages a number of large dataset collections related to the marine environment.
Biological/Biodiversity, Biogeochemistry, Physics, Human activities, Social-economy
Global
A global initiative relentless in our pursuit of achieving a complete map of the ocean floor by 2030.
Bathymetry
Global
FAO FishStat is the leading source of global fishery and aquaculture statistics and provides unique information for sector analysis and monitoring. FAO also develops and promotes standards, methods and tools for collecting data in fishery and aquaculture and supports member countries enhance their capacities on statistics related to the sector.
Human activities, Social-economy
Global
AOMI is a database of monitoring and observation data on ocean microplastics provided by researchers, research institutes, and governments from around the world. Based on the data, this database provides 2D maps of survey points (or location) and particle density distribution around the globe.
Biogeochemistry
Global
The SDG 14.3.1 Data Portal is a tool for the submission, collection, validation, storage and sharing of ocean acidification data and metadata submitted towards the Sustainable Development Goal 14.3.1 Indicator: Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations.(Users have to register an account at OceanExpert)
Biogeochemistry
Global
WoRMS provides an authoritative and comprehensive list of names of marine organisms, including information on synonymy. While the highest priority goes to valid names, other names in use are included so that this register can serve as a guide to interpret taxonomic literature.
Biological/Biodiversity
Global
Database of information on algae that includes terrestrial, marine and freshwater organisms, and seagrasses.
Biological/Biodiversity
Global
FishBase is a global biodiversity information system on finfishes. Its initial goal to provide key facts on population dynamics for 200 major commercial species has now grown to having a wide range of information on all species currently known in the world: taxonomy, biology, trophic ecology, life history, and uses, as well as historical data reaching back to 250 years.
Biological/Biodiversity
Global
Database focused on fisheries, marine ecosystems, biodiversity and exclusive economic zones.
Biological/Biodiversity, Human activities, Social-economy
Global
The Marine Geoscience Data System (MGDS) is a trusted data repository that provides free public access to a curated collection of marine geophysical data products and complementary data related to understanding the formation and evolution of the seafloor and sub-seafloor.
Bathymetry, Geology
Global
An open-access repository developed by CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research) and is part of the OpenAIRE project, which promotes open science.CERN has developed tools for Big Data management and extended Digital Library capabilities for Open Data. Through Zenodo these Big Science tools could be effectively shared with the long-tail of research.
Open Science platform
The European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) service
Europe
EMODnet is the European Commission (EC) in situ marine data service of the EC Directorate-General Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (EC DG MARE) and funded by the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund. It is a single access point to all EMODnet services, providing easy and free access to a wealth of marine data, metadata, and data products.
Bathymetry, Biological/Biodiversity, Biogeochemistry, Geology, Physics, Human Activities
Europe
CMEMS collects observations from data providers, mainly from EuroGOOS and ROOS members and Joint Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM) networks (Observations Programme Area). CMEMS also collaborates with SeaDataNet and EMODnet physics to improve the service for historical/reprocessed data and to involve new partners
Biological/Biodiversity, Biogeochemistry, Physics
Europe
The SeaDataNet infrastructure links national oceanographic data centres and marine data centres from 35 countries riparian to all European seas. The data centres manage large sets of marine and ocean data, originating from
their own institutes and from other parties, in a variety of data management systems and configurations. A major objective and challenge in SeaDataNet is to provide an integrated and harmonised overview and access to these
data resources, using a distributed network approach.
Bathymetry, Biological/Biodiversity, Biogeochemistry, Geology, Physics
Europe
JERICO-RI is an integrated pan-European multidisciplinary and multi-platform research infrastructure dedicated to a holistic appraisal of coastal marine system changes. It enables open-access to state-of-the-art and innovative facilities, resources, FAIR data and fit-for-purpose services, fostering international science collaboration.
Biological/Biodiversity, Biogeochemistry, Geology, Physics, Human activities
Europe
The European Atlas of the Seas provides information about Europe’s marine environment. Users can view predefined and ready to use maps, covering topics such as environment, tourism, security, energy, transport, litter, sea bottom, fishing activity, aquaculture, and much more.
Bathymetry, Biological/Biodiversity, Biogeochemistry, Geology, Physics, Human activities, Social-economy
Europe
ODIMS is an online tool providing a single point of access to all the data and information gathered through OSPAR’s Joint Assessment and Monitoring Programme across the different thematic work areas of the Convention. It will help ensure that data is readily accessible for OSPAR assessments, but also help a broad range of users to find data held by OSPAR, to facilitate access to it and make use of it.
Biological/Biodiversity, Human activities
Europe
BODC is the UK national facility for looking after and distributing data concerning the marine environment. It maintains and develops the National Oceanographic Database, manages the data for the UK Tide Gauge Network, manages the Natural Environment Research Council environmental data, and hosts the Marine Environmental Data and Information Network (MEDIN) core team.
Bathymetry, Biogeochemistry, Physics, Human activities
Europe
UKDMOS is a unique internet-based searchable database of marine monitoring conducted by UK organisations. UKDMOS is a tool for searching monitoring programmes and series based on information such as the parameters measured or the frequency of measurements taken.
Bathymetry, Biological/Biodiversity, Biogeochemistry, Geology, Physics, Human activities
Europe
MEDIN is a UK group working together to improve access and stewardship of marine data. MEDIN is open to all with an interest in marine data and information.
Bathymetry, Biological/Biodiversity, Biogeochemistry, Geology, Physics, Human activities, Social-economy, Meteorology
Europe
The main task of the ODATIS Ocean Cluster is to make available data, products, software, tools and/or services intended primarily for the French scientific community working in the area of ocean research.
Biological/Biodiversity, Biogeochemistry, Geology, Physics, Meteorology
Europe
The Marine Institute collects, maintains and disseminates information relating to marine matters via numerous online data services including maps and graphs to view data, descriptive metadata to find data and services to download data.
Bathymetry, Biological/Biodiversity, Biogeochemistry, Physics, Human activities, Meteorology
Europe
The Marine Data Portal is the central access point to research data from the German marine research community and international collaborations, a product of the “Underway”- Data initiative of the German Marine Research Alliance (Deutsche Allianz Meeresforschung – DAM) and is supported by the marine science centers AWI, GEOMAR and Hereon of the Helmholtz Association. This initiative aims to improve and standardize the systematic data collection and data evaluation for expeditions with German research vessels and marine observation. It supports scientists in their data management duties and fosters (data) science through FAIR and open access to marine research data.
Biological/Biodiversity, Geology
https://marine-data.de
North America
The NCEI Data Access application offers a wide variety of download and subsetting options for a growing collection of environmental data. While current offerings are limited primarily to weather and climate information, the application has a data-agnostic infrastructure designed to accommodate a broad spectrum of observation formats from across science disciplines.
Bathymetry, Biological/Biodiversity, Biogeochemistry, Geology, Physics, Meteorology
North America
The Digital Coast was developed to meet the unique needs of the coastal management community. The website provides not only coastal data, but also the tools, training, and information needed to make these data truly useful. Content comes from many sources, all of which are vetted by NOAA. Data sets range from economic data to satellite imagery. The site contains visualization tools, predictive tools, and tools that make data easier to find and use.
Human activities, Social-economy, Coastal landuse
North America
The West Coast Ocean Data Portal (WCODP) is a project of the West Coast regional ocean partnership, the West Coast Ocean Alliance (WCOA). The West Coast Ocean Data Portal is a tool that facilitates geospatial data discovery and data sharing for people and organizations who work on regional ocean and coastal management, policy, and planning on the West Coast of the United States.
Biological/Biodiversity, Physics, Human activities
https://portal.westcoastoceans.org/
North America
ISDM’s mandate is to manage and archive ocean data collected by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), or acquired through national and international programmes conducted in ocean areas adjacent to Canada, and to disseminate data, data products, and services to the marine community in accordance with the policies of the Department.
Biogeochemistry, Physics
North America
The St. Lawrence Global Observatory (SLGO) is an open-access web platform, providing integrated access to scientific data in support of environmental conservation and economic development in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Biological/Biodiversity, Biogeochemistry, Physics
North America
Ocean Exploration Trust and the Nautilus Exploration Program aim to explore the ocean, seeking out new discoveries in the fields of geology, biology, maritime history, archaeology, and chemistry while pushing the boundaries of education, outreach, and technological innovation. The video, data, and samples that result from Nautilus’ expeditions are available to any interested researcher immediately through an OET Data & Video Request Form.
Bathymetry, Biology/Biodiversity, Biogeochemistry, Geology, Maritime archaeology
Latin America & Caribbean
Through a Data Center integrated to SIMAR, environmental and biological information is managed through open data on essential ocean, biodiversity and climate variables. These include: satellite data, field data, data from numerical and climate models; and cartographic databases.
Biological/Biodiversity, Physics, Human activities
Latin America & Caribbean
The Caribbean GeoPortal is home to hundreds of ready to use datasets. Some provided by Esri, others by users and Caribbean focused organizations. Mix this data with your own to build a bigger picture. Find answers and make better decisions.
Latin America & Caribbean
Database with marine and coastal environmental spatial information from different projects. INVEMAR has made this information available on different topics so that the user can consult it and download it if required. The information available on this site is in different formats (Shapefile, WFS, geodatabase, JPG, PNG and PDF).
Africa
The Institute advises Government on the formulation and implementation of policies and programmes in respect to oceanography. The MOI falls under the aegis of the Ministry of Blue Economy, Marine Resources, Fisheries and Shipping and is expected to play a key role in providing data and information to assist the Government in the sustainable development of the ocean economy. The institute hosts 5 databases that cover a range of data such as biological, genetic, aquaculture, data mapping and chemistry.
Bathymetry, Biological/Biodiversity, Physics
Africa
The Marine Information Management System (MIMS) is an open repository that archives and publishes collections and subsets of marine related datasets for the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment: Oceans and Coastal Research (DFFE:OCR), South Africa.
Biological/Biodiversity, Biogeochemistry, Physics
Africa
Through its scientific monitoring missions of the Moroccan fisheries ecosystem ranging from upstream (environment) to downstream (development) of the fisheries sector, the INHR accumulates knowledge and scientific databases used primarily to support the sustainable management of the sector as well as to support the needs of private operators in the context of their investment in the fisheries sector. The INRH has several categories of scientific data.
Bathymetry, Biological/Biodiversity, Biogeochemistry, Physics
ESABII Database (Asia-Pacific BON network)
The ESABII Database is a biodiversity information database especially designed to support conservation-related decision-making in East and Southeast Asia. It is designed to provide a science-based policy interface to bridge information gaps between scientists and decision-makers.
Biological/Biodiversity
Asia-Pacific
The Deep-sea Debris Database provides marine debris data collected from deep-sea videos and photos. They have been taken during research surveys by submersible, “SHINKAI6500”, “HYPER-DOLPHIN”, etc., owned by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC).
Biogeochemistry
Oceania
The AusSeaBed Portal provides access to publically available acoustic datasets such as bathymetry, backscatter, side scan sonar data and other marine-related products, as well as a suite of analytical assessment tools to maximise the value of the data.
Biogeochemistry, Physics
Oceania
AODN staff provide a framework for data and information management that allows discovery and access of the data by scientists, managers and the public. The Portal incorporates a catalogue of metadata, a search interface driven by facets utilising controlled vocabulary terms, and a map interface that can be used to interact with AODN datasets and offers data download in a number of formats
Biological/Biodiversity, Biogeochemistry, Geology, Physics
Oceania
Minderoo Foundation’s OceanOmics program is advancing marine genomics and environmental DNA (eDNA) technologies to bolster conversation efforts and enhance our understanding of ocean biodiversity through large-scale, sustained biomonitoring initiatives.
Biological/Biodiversity
Southern Ocean
The Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS) is a coordinating body that enhances and ensures the delivery of Southern Ocean data across nations, organisations, programmes and stakeholders, and to provide the infrastructure for organisation of community networks to develop sustained observing systems and syntheses of existing Southern Ocean datasets.
Biological/Biodiversity, Biogeochemistry, Physics, Sea ice, Meteorology
Southern Ocean
The Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) pursues multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary work to advance understanding of temperate marine, Southern Ocean, and Antarctic environments.
Biological/Biodiversity, Biogeochemistry, Physics