Improving scientific knowledge and data sharing to increase understanding of ocean health
by Ocean Protection Council on behalf of the State of California (Government)
Access to current information is critical to effectively manage the dynamic ocean environment. Best practices indicate that a centralized database with strong data governance and shared practices among scientific disciplines is a powerful tool to support evidence-based decisions and policy-making. Californias Marine Protected Area (MPA) Network spans over 1,100 miles of coast and includes habitats from the beach to offshore canyons. Aggregating data across geography, time and habitats is essential to ensure effective adaptive management.
The State of California commits to implementing an open data platform that includes MPA Network performance evaluation data that cuts across disciplines (biological, ecological, physical, chemical and socioeconomic) and geography. The initial build out of the platform will be linked to state water and energy data with plans to connect to broader oceanographic and other data sets in the near future. The platform will have map-based search and discovery, visualization and analytic capabilities. This system will provide increased capabilities to evaluate the performance of the MPA Network in addition to informing other ocean management related to sustainable fisheries, climate change and water quality. The bulk of data available on the system will be available for download by all users and accessed via a web portal.
Progress reports
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
Type of commitment
- Scientific, socioeconomic and interdisciplinary research
- Research capacity development
- Data access and sharing
July 2018
Publically accessible web-based information management system for all marine protected area monitoring, and related data.
Financing (in USD)
1,000,000 USD
Staff / Technical expertise
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Ocean Protection Council are using existing scientific staff to identify gaps and mobilize additional resources to implement information management system.
Basic information
Time-frame: January 2017 - July 2018
Partners
Ocean Protection Council (government), California Department of Fish and Wildlife (government), California Natural Resources Agency Information Technology (government)
Ocean Basins
Beneficiary countries
Other beneficaries
Contact information
Jenn Eckerle, Deputy Director, Ocean Protection Council, jenn.eckerle@resources.ca.gov,
Sacramento, California, United States of America
Other SDGs
