Objectives
The IODE Associate Data Unit is inteded to bring in the wider ocean research and observation communities as key stakeholders of the IODE network, taking into account the growth of ocean research and observation programmes and projects, and the ability of these projects to establish data systems.It is important for these communities to share, provide access to and preserve all ocean research and observation data.
By joining IODE as an ADU projects, programmes, institutions or organizations will get the following benefits:
- Receive information on, and contribute to, IODE standards and best practices related to ocean data management,
- Be welcomed to participate in ocean data and information management training, organized within the framework of the IODE OceanTeacher programme
- Receive assistance, upon request, from IODE, on matters related to ocean data management,
- Be invited, as observers, to participate in Sessions of the IODE Committee,
- Participate in IODE workshops and projects,
- Share expertise with other ADUs and NODCs,
In return the global community, through the IODE National Oceanographic Data Centres, will benefit from the ADUs as these will be invited to share their data and information on their data collection (metadata catalogue), and this should be through their NODC (in the case of national projects, programmes, institutions or organizations), or through another IODE data facility (in the case of regional or international projects, programmes, institutions or organizations) or, in the case of biogeographic data, through iOBIS,
List of ADUs
Current number of established ADUs: 42 (18 September 2023) (sorted according to date of establishment, most recent first)
ADU contacts list available HERE
42, Kelp Blue
ADU formally established: 18 September 2023
Kelp Blue seeks to cultivate Giant Kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera, at large scale in offshore waters, to produce Biostimulant andother kelp derived products. Kelp Blue aspires to farm at a scale that has the capacity to contribute to atmospheric carbon dioxide draw-down and boosting of marine biodiversity. As such, Kelp Blue only harvests the top canopy of the forests it cultivates, leaving the remaining kelp in the water column to provide various ecosystem services. Kelp Blue has begun its first operation off the coast of Namibia in the town of Lüderitz. To align with national regulations, provide opportunity for continuous learning and understand the impact of its activity, Kelp Blue conducts marine monitoring within the vicinity of its ocean activities, this includes, but is not limited to, water quality sampling,eDNA sampling, plankton analysis as various depths, marine mammal and bird spotting, biodiversity video/ image capture and benthic sampling community diversity. Kelp Blue would like to contribute this biodiversity/ecology data to global species databases to improve/ make available the data collected in its regions of operation.
e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
41. National Marine Biodiversity Institute of Korea(MABIK):
ADU formally established 1 September 2023
The MABIK was established in April 20, 2015 that is in the lead for turning marine organism resources into national assets. Also contributing to the advancement of marine industry by exercising systematic collection, preservation, exhibition, and research. The Marine Bio-Resource Information System(MBRIS, www.mbris.kr) is currently
launched and operated to systematically manage marine bio-resources. Through this system, distribution of resources and diverse research information are offered and the emergence of organisms in the Korean peninsula service through the spatial system. Moreover, through the Marine genome information system, we offer genome information of marine organisms.
http://www.mbris.kr
e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
40. The South African Marine Information Management System (MIMS)
ADU formally established and accredited: 17 October 2022
The South African Marine Information Management System (MIMS) is an Open Archival Information System (OAIS) repository that archives and publishes collections and subsets of marine related datasets for the National Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) and its regional partners. DFFE is an IOC member organization committed to support and provide long-term preservation and archival of marine and coastal data and related metadata for South Africa and its regional partners while promoting open access to data and encouraging scientific collaboration. MIMS is tasked with the long-term preservation of South Africa’s marine and coastal data. As an institutional data repository, MIMS provides primary access to all data collected by the DFFE Oceans and Coastal Research Directorate while also acting as a trusted broker of scientific marine data for a wide range of South African institutions. MIMS hosts the IODE AFROBIS Node - an OBIS Node that coordinates and collates data management activities within the sub-Saharan African region. MIMS is part of the OBIS Steering Group and represents sub-Saharan Africa on issues around biological (biodiversity) data standards. MIMS also facilitates data and metadata publishing of the region through the GBIF and OBIS networks. MIMS is a key technical content contributor to the development of the Benguela Current Commission geoportal which is envisaged to play a complementary function to MIMS in terms of cross-platform metadata harvesting of the region.
https://data.ocean.gov.za
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
39. Centre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE), Cochin, India
ADU formally established: 20 June 2022
Centre for Marine Living Resources & Ecology (CMLRE), Cochin under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India (https://www.cmlre.gov.in/) has been organizing, coordinating and promoting ocean development activities in the country which inter-alia include mapping of the deep-sea living resources and preparing inventory for their optimum utilization through ecosystem management and basic R&D on Marine Living Resources and Ecology. The Marine Living Resources Programme envisages survey, assessment and harnessing MLR and conduct studies on the response of MLR to changes in the physical environment with the objective of developing an ecosystem model for the management of the living resources in the Indian EEZ. The Fishery Oceanographic Vessel (FORV) Sagar Sampada is fully utilized for these studies. On-going MLR programme in the EEZ focus on mapping the deep-sea biodiversity hotspots, assessing the habitat suitability of fishery resources and effect of ocean acidification on MLR. The CMLRE also runs the Indian OBIS node (IndOBIS). IndOBIS has been conceived in 2011 as a national data archival system for marine biodiversity information, (See IOC Workshop Report No. 240: https://oceanexpert.org/document/7134). This will serve as resource for national reporting requirement to international agreement/conventions and frame works connected to biodiversity and its conservation.
https://www.cmlre.gov.in
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
38. Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum, Germany
ADU formally established: 20 June 2022
Since 2017, the Division of Marine Zoology at Senckenberg Research Institute is found under the roof of the Arthur von Weinberg House in Frankfurt. It includes all working groups that mainly focus on marine animal groups. Here, the sections Marine Evertebrates I (Porifera, Cnidaria), Marine Evertebrates II (Polychaeta, Echinodermata), Marine Evertebrates III (Bryozoans), Crustacea, Malacology and Ichthyology are found. Additionally, parts of our Biodiversity Informatics team of Senckenberg are also found here. The division’s main research focuses on the research areas Biodiversity, Systematics and Evolution, Biodiversity and Climate and Biodiversity and Environment. From a geographical point of view, the polar regions and the North Sea, but above all the Arab and East Asian seas play a central role in research within the division, even though material is deposited from all over the world. Another key focus is the exploration of the oceanic deep sea and deep-sea hydrothermal vents. In contrast to other marine divisions of Senckenberg in Wilhelmshaven and Hamburg (Senckenberg at the Sea), Marine Zoology in Frankfurt is also responsible for maintaining and developing extensive scientific, marine collections. The division also has a central zoological library that is open to all divisions. The history of the past 200 years of marine research at Senckenberg was summarized in 2017 just after the move into the new building. Senckenberg is already running the global OBIS Deep-sea node and Ms Saeedi is the OBIS deep/sea node data manger affiliated to the Division of Marine Zoology at Senckenberg Research Institute.
https://www.senckenberg.de/en/about-us/
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
37. Instituto Nacional de Estadística y Geografía (INEGI) - México
ADU formally established: 20 June 2022
Geospatial data corresponding to the undersea relief referring to bathymetric cartography, digital bathymetric models, coastline. The data has various types of raster and vector file structure corresponding to the maritime territorial coverage of Mexico and that corresponding to the international project of the International Bathymetric Chart of the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico (IBCCA, https://www.inegi.org.mx/temas/relieve/submarino/), the latter as part of the Regional Projects International Bathymetric Chart (IBC) Mapping Project, which are regional cartographic projects sponsored by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
https://www.inegi.org.mx
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
36. Marine Environmental Data and Information Network (MEDIN) (UK)
ADU formally established: 9 February 2022
The Marine Environmental Data and Information Network (MEDIN) is a collaborative and open partnership, established in April 2008 to improve the management of and access to the UK’s valuable marine data and information resources. MEDIN is a group under the UK Marine Science Coordination Committee (MSCC) and is supported and funded by a group of 14 public and private organisations. MEDIN is also partnered by over 50 organisations. MEDIN holds and provides access to marine environmental data predominantly within UK territorial waters. However, MEDIN further provides archiving and access to some marine environmental data on a global scale.
https://medin.org.uk
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
35. Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR)- Ecosystem-based Management of Marine Resources Program, Environment & Life Sciences Research Center
Salmiya, Kuwait
ADU formally established 22 October 2021
KISR is an independent, national institute of scientific excellence. It was established in 1967. KISR’s role and responsibilities include the undertaking of studies to address key challenges, such as the preservation of the marine and terrestrial environment, biodiversity, sustainable management of Kuwait’s natural resources, responsible management of water and energy, and development of innovative methods of agriculture. KISR's current general role is in the development of scientific research and technology in Kuwait, together with providing scientific and technological consultations for both the governmental and the private sectors in Kuwait, the Arabian Gulf region, and the rest of the World, and encourages collaboration with international research institutes. A total of 1000 staff work at the Institute, and KISR is home to over 580 researchers and engineers and harbors over 100 laboratories, housed at 9 campuses in different locations.
https://www.kisr.edu.kw/en/facilities/environment-life-sciences-reducing-risks-improving-health/?research=1
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
34. Bjerkness Climate Data Centre, Geophysical Institute, University of Bergen, Norway
Bergen, Norway
ADU formally established 25 September 2021
The Bjerkness Data Centre performs data management for national and international projects in the field of climate science (e.g. oceanography, geology, climate modelling), research infrastructures (such as ICOS and EMSO), provides data management services for GOOS endorsed data products in the field of marine biogeochemistry (SOCAT and GLODAP) and is the marine carbon Thematic Assembly Centre under Copernicus Environment Monitoring Services
33. International Seabed Authority, ISA
Kingston, Jamaica
ADU formally established 20 May 2021
The International Seabed Authority (ISA) is an autonomous international organization established under the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 1994 Agreement relating to the Implementation of Part XI of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1994 Agreement). ISA is the organization through which States Parties to UNCLOS organize and control all mineral-resources-related activities in the Area for the benefit of mankind as a whole. In so doing, ISA has the mandate to ensure the effective protection of the marine environment from harmful effects that may arise from deep-seabed related activities. ISA which has its headquarters in Kingston, Jamaica, came into existence on 16 November 1994, upon the entry into force of UNCLOS. ISA became fully operational as an autonomous international organization in June 1996, when it took over the premises and facilities in Kingston, Jamaica previously used by the United Nations Kingston Office for the Law of the Sea. As an IODE ADU, the ISA also joins the OBIS network as an OBIS node and will publish its biodiversity data (including taxonomic information, species abundance and distribution) with IODE's Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS), and metadata will be contributed to IODE's ODISCat.
https://isa.org.jm email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
32. Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, CEFAS
Lowestoft, United Kingdom
ADU formally established 30 June 2020
Cefas scientists are the UK Government’s marine and freshwater science experts collecting, managing and interpreting data on the aquatic environment, biodiversity and fisheries. Cefas offers the broadest range of applied marine and freshwater science in the UK. Commencing in 1902 as a small fisheries laboratory in Lowestoft, UK, Cefas currently employs over 500 staff between sites in Lowestoft and Weymouth, and small port-based offices in Scarborough, Hayle and Plymouth on a diverse remit including: Marine monitoring, Ocean and ocean processes, Ecosystem understanding, Marine biodiversity, Aquatic animal health, Emergency response, Climate change, Assessment and advice, Sustainable fisheries, Food safety, Technology and data.
Overseas, Cefas scientists work in Commonwealth countries, UK Overseas Territories, South East Asia and the Middle East and in 2014 Cefas established a permanent base in the Middle East by opening an office in Kuwait, and since opened an office in Oman.
https://www.cefas.co.uk/ email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
31. The Research Centre for Oceanography (RCO) of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (RCO/LIPI)
Indonesia
ADU formally established 11 October 2018
The RCO is an Indonesian Government corporate entity. Its core business is research in oceanography and related fields that helps the Indonesian government and the wider community to make informed decisions about the management of Indonesia's marine estate. Situated in the heart of the Coral Triangle, known as the centre of the world's marine biodiversity, RCO has accumulated a wealth of data on marine organisms and its environmental parameters in Indonesia. Furthermore, RCO is formally appointed by the Government of Indonesia as the data custodian for coral reef and seagrass in Indonesia. RCO/LIPI is now the Indonesian node of OBIS and publishes the biogeographic data to the global OBIS system. RCO also manages the IOC-WESTPAC Regional Training and Research Centre on Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Health (RTRC-MARBEST) and offers to host & organize IODE/OBIS training courses.
http://www.oseanografi.lipi.go.id email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
30. Long-term Ecological Research Program Coastal Habitats of Espírito Santo (PELD HCES)
Brazil
ADU formally established 13 December 2019
The Long-term Ecological Research Program Coastal Habitats of Espírito Santo (PELD HCES) is a project of the Brazilian LTER program and operates the OBIS Brazil node. The PELD-HCES is located on the Eastern Coast of Brazil within three marine and coastal protected areas, and is currently monitoring benthic assemblages, oceanographic and sediment variables on coastal ecosystems including estuaries, mangroves and intertidal coastal reefs. The PELD-HCES aims to assess the spatial-temporal patterns of benthic assemblages in the studied ecosystems along seasonal and interannual scales.
https://bentos.ufes.br/conteudo/peld-coastal-habitats-esp%C3%ADrito-santo-peld-hces email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
29. Instituto Nacional de Pesca (INP)
Guayaquil, Ecuador
ADU formally established 31 July 2018
The National Fisheries Institute (INP) is dedicated to the research of fishery resources and other living marine resources through science-based conservation and management, and the promotion of healthy ecosystems (Executive Decree No. 1321 of October 18, 1966). As a governmental institute researches, conserves, protects, and manages living marine resources in a way that ensures their continuation as functioning components of marine ecosystems, in order to enhance the quality of life for coastal communities, and promote, complement and undertake scientific and applied research projects, necessary to improve the understanding and early warning of the ENSO (El Niño Southern Oscillation) in order to reduce the socio-economic impacts on the fishing sectors/communities, and to generate solid bases for the generation of sustainable development policies, in the face of the new existing climate scenarios. - http://www.institutopesca.gob.ec -email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (Nikita Gaibor)
28. Tulane University Biodiversity Research Institute (TUBRI) (Fish OBIS)
Louisiana, USA
ADU formally established 8 May 2018
The Tulane University Biodiversity Research Institute (TUBRI) is a research center of the School of Science and Engineering of Tulane University, a private, non-profit, research-intensive university located in Uptown New Orleans. TUBRI develops technology for accessing, enhancing and using biodiversity data and specimens in research. TUBRI manages the FishNet2 global network of fish collection databases. TUBRI is also innovating technology for 3D imaging of fish specimens for remote visualization and study purposes. FishNet2 provides researchers access to data records for over 40 million preserved fish specimens globally. The marine species occurrences from FishNet2 will be published in OBIS. TUBRI, together with Q-quatics, represent the global thematic Fish OBIS node. - http://www.tubri.org/ - email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
27. Quantitative Aquatics (Q-quatics) (Fish OBIS)
Laguna, Philippines
ADU formally established 8 May 2018
Quantitative Aquatics, Inc. (Q-quatics) is a non-stock, not-for-profit, non- governmental organization established in the Philippines in February 2017. Q-quatics was created to support the assembly and dissemination of key data on living aquatic resources for the development of research tools in collaboration with international partners. As such, Q-quatics manages or participates to the global biodiversity information systems FishBase, SeaLifeBase, the global fisheries initiative Sea Around Us and the Catalogue of Life and the global aquatic biogeography initiative, AquaMaps. Previously, they operated under successive different entities. The species occurrences from FishBase (gathered through trawling surveys, ecological monitoring etc) will be published in OBIS. Q-quatics, together with TUBRI, represent the global thematic Fish OBIS node. - https://www.q-quatics.org/ - email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
26. The Marine Biological Association (MBA) (OBIS-UK)
Plymouth, UK
ADU formally established 20 February 2018
The Marine Biological Association (MBA) is one of the world's longest-running societies dedicated to promoting research into our oceans and the life they support. Since 1884 the MBA has been providing a unified, clear, independent voice on behalf of the marine biological community and currently have a growing membership in over 40 countries. The MBA has a dedicated Data Team responsible for the delivery of DASSH (http://www.dassh.ac.uk). DASSH is the UK national biodiversity Data Archive for marine species and habitats data, accredited through the UK Marine Environmental Data and Information Network (MEDIN). Through DASSH the MBA collates marine biological data on behalf of the UK government and the devolved administrations (Scotland, Wales and Norther Ireland), statutory agencies, NGO's, charities and individuals. The Data Team supplies advice, tools and resources enabling maximum value to be gained from biological datasets and additionally provides guidance on compliance with UK and International legislation relating to data governance. The MBA provides expertise in the archiving, management, visualization and dissemination of quality-assured marine biodiversity datasets and metadata, within the UK and internationally. As an IODE Associate Data Unit, the MBA will join the OBIS network as the national OBIS node for the UK. - http://www.mba.ac.uk/ - email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
25. Balearic Islands Coastal Observing and Forecasting System (SOCIB)
Palma de Mallorca, Spain
ADU formally established 7 February 2018
SOCIB is a coastal ocean observing and forecasting system located in the Balearic Islands, a new facility of facilities open to international access. SOCIB responds to a change of paradigm in the observation of our oceans and coasta, an observation that has evolved from being centered on a unique platform, the oceanographic ships with data availability bein delayed in time, to an observation now based on multi-platform and integrated systems (using buoys, ships, satellites, AUV, HF rader, ARgo profilers, etc) also assuring quasi real time quality controlled data availability for both researchers and society. This change of paradigns is very significat and allows being able to respond to the three key drivers idenified by SOCIB back in 2009; (i) science priorities; (ii) technology development; (iii) response capacity to sociery needs.
24. OBIS Spatial Ecological Analysis of Megavertebrate Populations (OBIS-SEAMAP)
Durham North Carolina, USA
ADU formally established: 22 February 2017
The Ocean Biogeographic Information System Spatial Ecological Analysis of Megavertebrate Populations (OBIS-SEAMAP) is the biggest global biogeographic data center for marine mammals, seabirds and sea turtles and has been successfully building and enhancing biogeographic database services and online mapping and visualization services for more than a decade. OBIS-SEAMAP, hosted at the Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab, Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, has been an active participant to the international OBIS network, contributing significant amount of data to the OBIS database and developing its online mapping application. The Marine Geospatial Ecology Lab has strong relationships to US federal agencies (e.g. the Navy, NOAA, BOEM, NASA) and marine labs as well as international conservation organizations. OBIS-SEAMAP is unique in that it is actively expanding its capability to archive and disseminate non-traditional data types such as telemetry tracking, photo- identification, survey effort, ecological models, and passive acoustic monitoring. It is also one of the major data contributors to OBIS-USA. - http://seamap.env.duke.edu - email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
23. Comisión Permanente Pacifico Sur (CPPS-OBIS)
Guayaquil, Ecuador
ADU formally established: 17 January 2017
The Permanent Commission for the South Pacific (CPPS) is an intergovernmental body with international legal personality and was created by mandate of the countries through the Santiago Declaration in 1952. This Regional Maritime Organization promotes and articulates the cooperation and coordination of the maritime policies of its Member States: Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. CPPS administrates two on-line information systems developed in the last five years: the Information System on Marine Biodiversity and Protected Areas SIBIMAP (www.sibimap.net) and the geoportal SPINCAM (Southeast Pacific Data and Information Network to Support the Integrated Coastal Area Management Project) (www.atlasspincam.net). One of the CPPS objectives is become a node of knowledge in the region. CPPS provides a permanent platform to integrate data from different projects and programs carried out in the region. CPPS applied for IODE/ADU membership to become an OBIS node (CPPS-OBIS). - http://www.cpps-int.org - email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
22. Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR/Antarctic OBIS)
Cambridge, UK
ADU formally established: 20 May 2016
SCAR, the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, is an interdisciplinary body of ICSU, the International Council for Science, and it is charged with the initiation, promotion and co-ordination of scientific research in Antarctica. SCAR also provides international, independent scientific advice to the Antarctic Treaty system and other bodies. SCAR signed the ADU application on behalf of the Antarctic OBIS node, which mobilises data through the Antarctic Biodiversity Portal (Biodiversity.aq), which integrates SCAR-MarBIN (Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research - Marine Biodiversity Information Network), with the biodiversity databases managed by the Australian Antarctic Division, bringing together data from marine and terrestrial realms into a portal that provides access to a variety of online services. The biogeographic data from the Antarctic are provided to OBIS and ultimately GBIF. - http://biodiversity.aq/ - email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
21. U.S. Geological Survey - OBIS USA (USGS/OBIS-USA)
Denver, USA
ADU formally established: 14 March 2016
The Ocean Biogeographic Information System‐USA (OBIS-USA) is a project within the United States Geological Survey. OBIS‐USA brings together marine biological occurrence data – recorded observations of identifiable marine species at a known time and place, collected primarily from U.S. Waters or with U.S. funding. Coordinated by the Core Science, Analytics, Synthesis and Libraries Program (CSAS&L) of USGS, OBIS‐USA, strives to meet national needs for access to data about marine organisms and ecosystems. Through our agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), OBIS‐USA is periodically archived into the NCEI system to aid in long‐term availability of the data. The data contained in OBIS‐USA are provided through a web application and through online services for broader use in other applications and data systems. Service or Application Programming Interfaces include NOAA’s ERDDAP system and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility’s Integrated Publishing Toolkit (IPT). - http://www1.usgs.gov/csas/obis-usa/ - email:
20. Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF)
Akureyri, Iceland
ADU formally established: 28 October 2015
CAFF is the biodiversity working group of the Arctic Council and consists of National Representatives assigned by each of the eight Arctic Council Member States, representatives of Indigenous Peoples' organizations that are Permanent Participants to the Council, and Arctic Council observer countries and organizations. CAFF's mandate is to address the conservation of Arctic biodiversity, and to communicate its findings to the governments and residents of the Arctic, helping to promote practices which ensure the sustainability of the Arctic’s living resources. It does so through various monitoring, assessment and expert group activities.
- http://www.caff.is - email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
19. Marine and Coastal Research Institute (INVEMAR)
Santa Marta, Colombia
ADU formally established: 13 October 2015
INVEMAR is a non-profit organization of scientific and technological research. Its mission is to perform basic and applied research of renewable natural resources and the environment in the coasts and marine and oceanic ecosystems of national interest of Colombia, in order to provide the needed scientific knowledge for policy formulation, decision making and preparation of plans and projects. - http://www.invemar.org.co - email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
18. Fundación Universidad de Bogota Jorge Tadeo Lozano
Magdalena, Colombia
ADU formally established: 13 October 2015
UTADEO aims to (i) be an academic and scientific area for creation, and execution of oceanographic and meteorological data from the Colombian Caribbean, integrating training activities of undergraduate and graduate programmes in marine science concepts; (ii) create a space for discussion and amalysis around the role of tropical areas in the global dynamics changes, and integrate ideas from internaional and national oceanographic agencies that lead to a better study of the tropical seas; (iii) generate permanent oceanographic and meteorological reports through the web in specific institutional sites that are designated, hacing scope to the entire scientific community about the envieonmrnetl conditions of the Colombian Caribbean. - http://www.utadeo.edu.co - email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
17. Parques Nacionales Naturales de Colombia
Bogota, Colombia
ADU formally established: 13 October 2015
National Natural Parks of Colombia is a national Special Administrative Unit without juridical personality but with administrative and financial autonomy and jurisdiction in all the national territory according to the terms of Article 67 Law 489 of 1998. The entity is in charge of the administration and management of the Systems of National Natural Parks and of the coordination of the National System of Protected Areas. - http://www.parquesnacionales.gov.co - email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
16. Oceans Past Initiative
The Oceans Past Initiative (OPI) is a global research network for marine historical research. Their goal is to enhance knowledge and understanding of how the diversity, distribution and abundance of marine life in the world’s oceans has changed over the long term to better indicate future changes and possibilities, and to contribute to the sustainable use of marine systems. OPI is a tier-3 OBIS node under EurOBIS. https://oceanspast.org
Contact Mr John Nicholls Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (1 July 2015)
15. Marine Science Centre, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq
The Marine Science Centre (MSC) centered at the University of Basrah, has recently celebrated 40 years of operation in southern Iraq. Our environmental and water resources group has a multitude of specializations (biology, chemistry, geology, hydrology, ecology) and have been involved in marine and environmental research projects (consulting and academic) for industry, government and international institutions. We are a globally known resource for the Mesopotamian Marshes and are a driving force behind the restoration of the Mesopotamian marshlands. The MSC, through the academic and consulting projects we have completed, has a plethora of baseline, seasonal and annual data related to biodiversity and environmental parameters throughout southern Iraq and the Arabian Gulf. With a specific devotion the Mesopotamian Marshlands, the MSC has collaborated with international institutions to study this “Garden of Eden” and is consulted internationally for data. We also collaborate with international organizations such as ROPME, IUCN and UNEP on a regular basis. Our collection of research vessels, marine stations, research station and monitoring equipment and supplies cannot be matched in the region.
14. Ocean Tracking Network (OTN)
Halifax, NS, Canada
ADU formally established on : 13 March 2015
Ocean Tracking Network is a global ocean research and technology development platform. OTN deploys acoustic receivers and oceanographic monitoring equipment in key ocean locations around the world to track the movements and survival of marine animals carrying acoustic tags. OTN tracks many keystone, commercially important, and endangered animals including marine mammals, sea turtles, and fishes including sharks, sturgeon, eels, tuna, salmonoids and cod. OTN also deploys benthic pods and Slocum electric gliders for oceanographic sampling measuring temperature, salinity, conductivity, oxygen and depth. An essential component of the OTN platform is the Data Centre hosted at the Dalhousie University, in Halifax, Canada. All OTN data are archived at ISDM, DFO Canada (IODE NODC) and in addition, near real-time glider data are submitted to GTS and tag release metadata is sent to OBIS Canada (BIO, DFO Canada). http://oceantrackingnetwork.org/
Contact Ms Lenore BAJONA, Director Data Management, Ocean Tracking Network Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
13. Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC)
Kanagawa, Japan
ADU formally established on : 19 January 2015
JAMSTEC is an independent administrative institution for the purpose of contributing to the advancement of academic research in addition to the improvement of marine science and technology by undertaking fundamental research and development on marine and other related activities through academic research related to the Ocean for the benefit of peace and human welfare. With its leadership and performance in the research community, JAMSTEC has been regarded as equivalent to a national research institute. JAMSTEC hosts the secretariat of the Japan Regional OBIS Node (J-RON) to accumulate marine biogeographic data stored in Japanese institutions/organizations/projects into JAMSTEC’s Biological Information System for Marine Life (BISMaL), and makes these data available to the public and transfers the data to iOBIS. http://www.jamstec.go.jp/e/
Contact Toru Iseto, Global Oceanographic Data Center and Katsunori Fujikura, Department of Marine Biodiversity Research. Email: 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.
12. The Global Biodiversity Information Facility
Copenhagen, Denmark
ADU formally established on : 13 October 2014
The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (www.gbif.org) was founded in 2001 as an intergovernmental scientific infrastructure aimed at providing free and open access to biodiversity data, via the Internet. It offers a single online access point to more than 500 million biodiversity records published from around 15,000 datasets published by some 600 institutions. GBIF operates through a network of national and thematic nodes, and a secretariat (GBIFS) based in Copenhagen, Denmark. The GBIF secretariat has accumulated considerable expertise on open data publishing through its informatics development and its global community, resulting in a suite of manuals and a training programme that may be of use to many in the IODE community. GBIF and IOC/IODE/OBIS signed an agreement of cooperation, recognizing the two initiatives as complementary with common goals on the management, publication and use of biodiversity data, with IODE/OBIS's special role in meeting the requirements of policy makers and researchers for data and information on marine biodiversity. http://www.gbif.org
Contact: Dmitry Schigel, programme officer for content analysis and use; Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
11. Coastal Zone Management Unit
Warrens Towers 2, Warrens, St. Michael, Barbados
ADU formally established on : 15 July 2014
The Coastal Zone Management Unit (CZMU) is a specialized government agency focused on coastal conservation through shoreline monitoring, stabilization and enhancement. This is achieved through multidisciplinary activities inter alia: coral reef monitoring, evaluation of all coastal development applications from the Town and Country Development Planning Office (TCDPO), routine beach erosion and accretion monitoring, oceanographic monitoring, routine updating of the inventory of coastal structures, the regulation of marine research, public education on coastal management, and coastal conservation project designs and management. The organization features of three technical departments (Coastal Planning, Coastal Engineering and Marine Research) as well as a Project Execution Unit, and has an overall staff compliment of 35. The CZMU, is dedicated to advancing the knowledge, use, development, conservation and management of the coastal zone of Barbados and its resources. Currently, the CZMU is executing the Coastal Risk Assessment and Management Program (CRMP) financed by the Inter-American Development Bank and aimed at building resilience to coastal hazards through improved conservation and management of the coastal zone utilizing a risk-based approach. http://www.coastal.gov.bb
Contact: Ramon Roach, Coastal Information Systems Manager; Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
10. Ukrainian Scientific Centre of Ecology of the Sea
89, Frantsuzsky Blvd Odessa, Odessa oblast, 65009, Ukraine
ADU formally established: 15 July 2014
The Ukrainian Scientific Center of Ecology of the Sea (USCES), Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine (UkrSCES) was renamed in January in 1992 on the basis of the Odessa Branch State Oceanographic Institute founded in 1968. It is the main institution of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Ukraine in the field of marine ecological researches. USCES – is an unique institution of all state ecological systems of monitoring within the Black and Azov Seas, which provides a whole complex of tasks of ecological monitoring.
The main task of UkrSCES is scientific and practical providing of realization of public policy of Ukraine in relation to the protection, rational use and rehabilitation of natural resources in the Black and Azov Seas basin, and also provides implementation of international obligations of Ukraine, in relation to marine aspects.
Contact: Richard Lisovskyi – Head Geo Information Analysis Department; email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
9. Institute Of Oceanography And Environment (INOS), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), Malaysia
21030 Kuala Terengganu Terengganu, MALAYSIA
ADU formally established: 20 June 2014 (accredited in 2018)
The Institute of Oceanography and Environment is one of the oldest oceanography centres in Malaysia. In 2001 INOS was accorded official status by the Malaysian Government after recommendation by the IOC of UNESCO. In 2012 it was recogbnzied as the sole Higher Institution Center of Excellence (HiCoE) in the field of Marine Science by the Malaysian Government. The institute has established a central database to ensure all datasets collected are archived. Data collections include physical, biological, chemical and remote sensing data.
Contact: Assoc. Prof Dr Aidy @ Mohamed Shawal M Mulsim - email:This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
8. Centro Nacional Patagonico (CENPAT) of the National Research Council of Argentina (CONICET)
Blvd. Brown 2915, 9120 Puerto Madryn-Chubut, Argentina
ADU formally established: 28 April 2014
CENPAT‐CONICET centralizes biological information about the distribution of vertebrates from the coastal areas of Argentina and the continental shelf of the South-western Atlantic Ocean. It also integrates data about the distribution of resident vertebrates which emigrate to the Southern Ocean and the Pacific. The objective is to provide to better knowledge of the Patagonian Large Marine Ecosystem, through a web-accessible tool that facilitates the analysis of species distribution patterns. At regional level CENPAT‐CONICET is presented as a functional precursor for data base and mapping tools to build on a standardized model that can be enlarged and validated. The database services increase the academic impact generated by regional projects by sending interoperable information to national (SNDB and SNDM) and global (OBIS) databases. In IODE, CENPAT‐CONICET will act as the Argentinian OBIS node.
Contact: Mirtha Lewis, Director Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
7. Institute of Technology and Marine Sciences (INTECMAR) Universidad Simón Bolívar
AP 89000 Caracas 1080, Venezuela
ADU formally established: 25 March 2014
The Institute of Technology and Marine Sciences (INTECMAR) of the Universidad Simón Bolívar was establish in 1970 with the goal to formulate and execute basic and applied research in marine sciences with the participation of multi-disciplinary teams, and to provide answers to scientific and societal questions in the Venezuelan marine spaces. INTECMAR has been responsible for many national and regional programs for the monitoring of marines ecosystems. Also, the Institute has conducted many environmental studies in Venezuelan marine waters for the decision makers in the public and private sector. In IODE, INTECMAR will be the Caribbean node of OBIS.
Contact: Eduardo Klein. Associate Professor Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
6. Iv.Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University (TSU)
1, Chavchavadze Ave., 0179 Tbilisi, Georgia
ADU formally established: 11 March 2014
Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgia (TSU) was established in 1918. The TSU successfully collaborates with Academy of Science of Georgia. Department of Geography of the Faculty of Exact and Natural Sciences and GeoDNA (IOC/UNESCO) are strongly involved in the research and expertising on marine environmental and ecological research, meteorology, oceanography, education and raise of public awareness. In collaboration with the international organizations university staff members and postgraduate students are taking part in various programs and IP, such as: "Floating University", MedarMedatlas, NATO sfp 791818 Project, the Science & Technology Center in Ukraine (STCU) Project, EU funded projects - SEA-SEARCH, ASCABOS, Black Sea Scene, SEADATANET, SESAME, PERSEUS,EMODNET, EMBLAS, BS TUARISM NET etc.
Contact: Dr., Assoc. Professor Kakhaber Bilashvili, Head of ADU Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
5. ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB)
3/F ERDB Building, UPLB Forestry Campus, Los Baños, Laguna 4031, Philippines
ADU formally established: 28 January 2014
The ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity was established to facilitate cooperation and coordination among the members of the ASEAN, and with relevant national governments, regional and international organizations, on the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of such biodiversity in the ASEAN Region. The Biodiversity Information Management Unit of ACB provides technical support in establishing and maintaining a repository of information relevant to biodiversity conservation in the ASEAN Region. ACB will become the South-East Asia node of IODE's Ocean Biogeographic Information System (SEA-OBIS).
Contact: Christian B. Elloran. Database Specialist, Biodiversity Information Management - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
4. CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research (CMAR)
GPO Box 1538, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia
ADU formally established: 28 January 2014
CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research (CMAR) aims to advance Australian climate, marine and earth systems science. We focus on issues affecting Australia and the world, and we provide a range of scientific and consulting services that are underpinned by this research. CMAR provides original georeferenced marine species data from its own holdings to OBIS, and coordinates and forwards additional marine species data to OBIS from other regional suppliers. It also operates a regional portal for OBIS at www.obis.org.au and assists OBIS with the maintenance and provision of tools for taxonomic data processing and cleaning including IRMNG, the Interim Register of Marine and Nonmarine Genera, and Taxamatch fuzzy matching software for misspelled scientific names of organisms. It has also assisted in the design of previous generations of the OBIS portal (2004-2010) and its staff served on previous OBIS International and Technical Committees (2002-2010).
Contact: Dr Dave Watts
3. Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture - Hellenic Centre for Marine Research
P.O.Box 2214, 71003 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
ADU formally established: 28 January 2014
The Institute of Marine Biology, Biotechnology and Aquaculture - Hellenic Centre for Marine Research is host of the Mediterranean node of the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (MedOBIS) since 2004. It acts as the Regional Repository of Marine Biodiversity Data and as a communication / dissemination forum for Marine Biodiversity Research in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Black Sea. MedOBIS provides a common platform for the integration of efforts devoted to Marine Biodiversity in the region. The further development and sustainability of MedOBIS is guaranteed by the LifeWatchGreece infrastructure.
Contacts: Dr. Christos Arvanitidis – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and Sarah Faulwetter – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
2. International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES)
H.C. Andersens Boulevard 44-46Copenhagen V
DK-1553
Denmark
ADU formally established: 28 January 2014
The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) – a global organization for enhanced ocean sustainability. ICES is a network of more than 4000 scientists from almost 300 institutes, with 1600 scientists participating in activities annually. ICES is an intergovernmental organization whose main objective is to increase the scientific knowledge of the marine environment and its living resources and to use this knowledge to provide advice to competent authorities. ICES Science and Advice considers both how human activities affect marine ecosystems and how ecosystems affect human activities. In this way, ICES ensures that best available science is accessible for decision-makers to make informed choices on the sustainable use of the marine environment and ecosystems. The ICES Data Centre manages a number of large dataset collections related to the marine environment covering the North East Atlantic, Baltic Sea, Greenland Sea and Norwegian Sea. The majority of data originate from national institutes that are part of the ICES network of member countries. The ICES Data Centre provide marine data services to ICES member countries, expert groups, world data centres, regional sea conventions (HELCOM and OSPAR), the European Environment Agency (EEA), Eurostat and various other European projects, and biodiversity portals. Dataset collections are organised around specific thematic data portals, as well as an overarching data warehouse. The current dataset portals provided by ICES are: Biological community, Contaminants and biological effects, Eggs and Larvae, Fish predation (stomach contents), Fish trawl survey, Historical Plankton, Ocean physics and chemistry. All data managed by ICES are subject to the ICES data policy, which aims to maximize the availability of data to the marine community. http://ices.dk/explore-us/what-we-do/Pages/marine-data.aspx
Contact: Neil Holdsworth. Head of Data and Information, ICES Secretariat. E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
1. Biological and Chemical Oceanography Data Management Office (BCO-DMO)
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, United States
ADU formally established: 2 November 2013
The Biological and Chemical Oceanography Data Management Office (BCO-DMO) is a publicly accessible earth science data repository created to curate, publicly serve (publish), and archive digital data and information from biological, chemical and biogeochemical research conducted in coastal, marine, great lakes and laboratory environments. The BCO-DMO repository works closely with investigators funded through the NSF OCE Division’s Biological and Chemical Sections and the Division of Polar Programs Antarctic Organisms & Ecosystems to curate project output. The office provides services that span the full data life cycle, from data management planning support and DOI creation, to archive with appropriate national facilities.
Contacts:Danie Kinkade (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). [updated 12 November 2018]
Background on ADUs as a structural element of IODE
The IODE Associate Data Units (ADU) were established as structural elements of IODE by the IODE Committee at its 22nd Session (2103) through Recommendation IODE-XXII.16:
Recommendation IODE-XXII.16
IODE ASSOCIATE DATA UNIT (ADU)
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 the IODE objectives,
Noting the importance of including the wider ocean research and observation community as key stakeholders of the IODE,
Noting further the growth of ocean research and observation programmes and projects, and the ability of these projects to establish data systems,
Stressing the need to share, provide access to and to preserve all ocean research and observation data,
Noting the importance of standardization and interoperability of data and information systems across the ocean research and observation communities,
Recommends the establishment of IODE Associate Data Units (ADUs) as structural elements of IODE with the following Terms of Reference:
IODE Associate Data Units (ADUs) shall:
- Be national projects, programmes, institutions or organizations (other than NODCs), or regional or international projects, programmes, institutions or organizations that carry out data management functions,
- Receive information on, and contribute to, IODE standards and best practices related to ocean data management,
- Be welcomed to participate in ocean data and information management training, organized within the framework of the IODE OceanTeacher programme,
- Be invited, as observers, in Sessions of the IODE Committee,
- Participate in IODE workshops and projects,
- Share expertise with other ADUs and NODCs,
- Be invited to share their data and information on their data collection (metadata catalogue), and this should be through their NODC (in the case of national projects, programmes, institutions or organizations), or through another IODE data facility (in the case of regional or international projects, programmes, institutions or organizations) or, in the case of biogeographic data, through iOBIS,
- Receive assistance, upon request, from IODE, on matters related to ocean data management,
- Closely link with their IODE National Oceanographic Data Centre (NODC), if existing (in the case of national projects, organizations and institutions),
- Agree to make available data management documentation (standards, practices, guides,…) used by the ADU,
Notes that ADUs will not replace NODCs (centralized or distributed) but should contribute to the objectives of NODCs by (i) improving the completeness of data coverage of NODCs; (ii) ensuring the long-term archival and preservation of ADU data by NODCs; and (iii) increasing awareness amongst the ocean research and observation community of the importance of professional data management through IODE NODCs,
Invites any project, programme, institution or organization that is willing to comply with the above-mentioned Terms of Reference to apply to join IODE as an IODE Associate Data Unit (ADU) by providing the following information:
(i) name and contact information of the ADU contact point(s);
(ii) name and contact point of the head of the applicant entity;
(iii) description of the national, regional or international project, programme, institution or organization;
(iv) brief description of data services/products provided by the entity;
(v) for projects: expected lifespan of the project and indication of plan for the archival/preservation of the data, data management plan;
(vi) letters of support;
(vii) required expertise, training that IODE could contribute;
(viii) data policy (if identified) of the applicant entity;
(ix) of the existing relationship with a NODC.
Recommends further that applications for ADUs shall be reviewed by the IODE Officers (by email or during IODE Officer meetings) in consultation with - and in the case of national projects, programmes, institutions or organization, subject to approval by the relevant NODC (if existing) - SG-OBIS (for biogeographic information) or other relevant recognized international programme.
Invites IOC Member States to actively promote ADU membership of (inter)national projects, programmes and institutions
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Created on: Friday, 19 April 2013 12:18
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Last Updated on: Monday, 18 September 2023 16:30