Operating under the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS) is the world’s largest global open-access infrastructure for marine biodiversity data supported by a community of 36 Nodes and over 6000 contributors worldwide. We deliver interoperable, accessible, high-quality marine biodiversity data and fit-for-purpose, innovative services to support science, policy, and society. Our data and services contribute to global conservation frameworks and allow countries to build biodiversity baselines, meet their assessment and reporting needs, and support marine planning and management.
We are involved at each step of the marine life data value chain, from local data mobilization and capacity development to standardization, quality control, and integration. We empower local data holders to become global marine life data contributors and make sure that, through our inclusive governance model, all voices of our community are represented and can participate.
We are dedicated to providing the knowledge that enables the protection of life in the ocean. Because every species counts.
A global data ecosystem for marine biodiversity that is comprehensive, integrated, inclusive and accessible, enabling sustained ecosystem services for a healthy ocean.
Lead the coordination of effective marine biodiversity data mobilisation and deliver integrated, standardized high-quality data, information products, and services to answer the needs of the global community.
→ Establish a highly accessible, scientifically trusted, fully integrated, and interoperable global data infrastructure that aligns with the IOC data architecture.
→ Ensure adherence to international data standards and frameworks, respecting FAIR and CARE principles.
→ Support sustained data flows and delivery of the Biology and Ecosystems Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)
→ Secure long-term archiving of marine biodiversity data and information, enabling seamless worldwide exchange and accessibility.
→ Support commitments to international biodiversity agreements by co-designing and aligning data, information products, and services with major policy frameworks (e.g., the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the BBNJ Agreement) and national, regional, and global assessments (e.g., UN World Ocean Assessment, IPBES, IOC StOR).
→ Deliver operational biodiversity data, information products, and services, including decision support tools, for monitoring, managing, and protecting marine ecosystems, multi-hazard early warning and mitigation systems, and Sustainable Ocean Planning and Management (SOPM).
→ Ensure equitable capacity to collect, manage, publish, access, and use marine biodiversity data for all, through capacity development, innovation, and targeted community initiatives and strengthened collaboration.