ISA’s DeepData integrated into global ocean data network
Global ocean research is becoming more connected, as the International Seabed Authority (ISA) has joined the Ocean Data and Information System (ODIS) – a worldwide network that links platforms to improve the accessibility, interoperability and discoverability of ocean data. Coordinated by the International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange of IOC-UNESCO, this collaboration represents a major boost for international cooperation in ocean science and sustainable resource management.
As part of this effort, ISA’s DeepData platform – a key repository of environmental and scientific information gathered by seabed exploration contractors – has been integrated into ODIS. This integration will make valuable data more readily available to researchers, policymakers and other users around the globe, advancing the development of an inclusive and connected digital ocean data ecosystem.
The ISA secretary-general, Leticia Carvalho, welcomed this initiative as a step forward in advancing ocean knowledge. “The ISA is proud to join the Ocean Data and Information System. This partnership will greatly enhance the visibility and use of environmental data collected by exploration contractors, fostering marine scientific research in areas beyond national jurisdiction. ODIS’s advanced data-sharing capabilities will improve accessibility and discoverability of essential oceanographic information,” she stated.
Unlocking mysteries of the deep
“ISA’s DeepData is an invaluable resource for understanding and sustainably managing seabed ecosystems. We are delighted to welcome the ISA into the ODIS Federation as we work together to make ocean data more accessible and impactful,” said Pier Luigi Buttigieg, chair of ODIS. Vidar Helgesen, executive secretary of UNESCO, commented: “Together, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO and the International Seabed Authority are unlocking the mysteries of the deep – advancing marine science in the vast international seabed area and ensuring discoveries are shared for the benefit of all humankind.”
Through this integration, DeepData’s extensive records – comprising more than 800 conductivity, temperature and depth (CTD) sampling stations in the deep seabed – will become accessible via the International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange’s Ocean InfoHub. This connection will provide researchers and decision makers with vital data to support a range of activities, from understanding ocean circulation patterns and deep-sea ecosystems to conducting environmental impact assessments for seabed activities.
The platform will also enhance global climate models by enabling more accurate tracking of deep-ocean circulation. The collaboration builds on the ISA’s long-standing partnership with IOC-UNESCO, which was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding in 2011 and reflects their shared commitment to ocean data collection, exchange and capacity-building.
