News
IODC-III, call for abstracts - Join forces with OBIS to showcase the importance of fit-for-purpose and actionable data for ocean biodiversity
actionable data community capacity development IODC-III Policy
Participate in the OBIS-led session at the third edition of the International Ocean Data Conference on 10-11 March 2025
Living Data 2025 - The call for sessions is open. Submit yours today!
data Living Data 2025
Participate in Living Data 2025 to increase collaboration, capacity and equitable access to data and tools supporting biodiversity monitoring and management.
UNESCO eDNA Expeditions - Successfully transforming innovative eDNA sampling into actionable data with OBIS expertise
eDNA eDNA Expeditions UNESCO eDNA Dashboards Policy
Decoding the Ocean - UNESCO eDNA Expeditions Unveil Ocean Biodiversity
Help Build a Holistic Ocean Observing System: Survey for a Collaborative Ocean Observing Blueprint
BioEcoOcean survey Horizon Europe
The Horizon Europe project BioEcoOcean is seeking input via a survey for the development of a Blueprint for Integrated Ocean Science.
Marine perspectives on COP16-Reinforced global collaborations to better support conservation
COP16 Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) Ocean Data and Information System (ODIS) Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Ocean Observations Marine Conservation
With a dedicated Ocean Day and numerous positive concrete outcomes for ocean observations and marine biodiversity conservation, COP16 was a milestone for advancing global ocean observing and information systems. The formal recognition of OBIS and GOOS as crucial marine components of the Global Biodiversity Framework demonstrates the readiness of the two infrastructures to accelerate marine knowledge provision to better protect our Ocean.
Shaping the Future of Marine Biodiversity Data - Takeaways from the 6th OBIS Executive Committee Meeting
OBIS Executive Committee Nodes Coordination Group Data Coordination Group Product Coordination Group
The Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS) Executive Committee meeting took place at the InnovOcean Campus in Oostende, Belgium, from 14 to 16 October 2024\. The meeting aimed to set OBIS's strategic course for 2025 and establish a visionary document to set long-term goals and foster synergies with other IODE activities. In this article, we outline the three essential takeaways from the meeting.
Recently published datasets
BulkDNA macrobenthos from sandextraction sites in the Belgian part of the North Sea
This dataset contains COI metabarcoding data from macrobenthos collected in three sand extraction areas in the Belgian part of the North Sea (BPNS). Three different sand banks with varying extraction volumes and frequencies were sampled. [This dataset was processed using the GBIF Metabarcoding Data Toolkit.]
12S eDNA from seawater samples collected within the coastal zone of the Belgian part of the North Sea
This dataset contains eDNA metabarcoding data of fish species detected at 9 locations within the coastal area of the Belgian Part of the North Sea (BPNS). The seawater samples were collected monthly from August 2021 to August 2023 at the fixed stations. The fish species were identified using 12S eDNA metabarcoding. The dataset includes amplicon sequence variants and their associated metadata. [This dataset was processed using the GBIF Metabarcoding Data Toolkit.]
DFO Maritimes Biofouling Monitoring Program
Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s (DFO) National Biofouling Monitoring Program (BMP) has conducted annual field surveys to monitor the introduction, establishment, spread, species richness, and relative abundance of native and non-indigenous species (NIS) since 2006. Standardized monitoring protocols employed by DFO-Maritimes, -Gulf, and -Quebec Regions include biofouling collector plates deployed from May to October at intertidal and shallow subtidal, geo-referenced sites, including public and private docks, aquaculture lease sites, public and private marinas and yacht clubs. Initially in the Maritimes Region (2006-2017) collectors consisted of 3, 10 cm by 10cm PVC plates deployed in a vertical array and spaced approximately 40-cm apart with the shallowest plate hung at least 1 m below the surface to sample shallow subtidal and intertidal species (Sephton et al. 2011, 2017). Two replicate arrays were deployed at least 5 m apart per site. Since 2018, collector arrays were modified to enhance statistical replication, including 10 individual collectors deployed per site at 1 m depth and at least 5 m apart (as above) from May to October. The percent cover of AIS on all collectors was determined by visual examination and scored as follows; (i) ‘0’ = absent, (ii) ‘1’ = ≤25 % cover, (iii) ‘2’ = 25 to ≤50 %, (iv) ‘3’ = 50–75% , and (v) ‘4’ = >75%. Average percent cover is provided for all NIS observed annually per site. Presence-absence indicates that an NIS was observed on at least one collector plate. One additional rocky intertidal species (Asian shore crab; Hemigrapsus sanguineus) was assessed via beach surveys as permitted by time and resources following its initial siting in St Mary’s Bay (Nova Scotia) in April 2020. Rapid assessment surveys conducted in the Fall of 2020 and 2021 were employed to delineate H. sanguineus’ distribution and relative abundance. Areas deemed suitable and at high risk for spread were targeted, including exposed rocky intertidal habitat in southwest regions of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Each rapid assessment consisted of 30-minute beach surveys per site conducted by 2 or 3 people (modified from Stephenson et al. 2011). During each survey, crabs were collected under rocks and seaweed in preferred cobble/boulder habitat (Lohrer et al. 2000). Count data was standardized for each site as the number of crabs collected per 30-min search per person.
Happywhale - Cuvier's beaked whale in Southern Ocean
Original provider: Happywhale Dataset credits: Happywhale and contributors Abstract: Happywhale.com is a resource to help you know whales as individuals, and to benefit conservation science with rich data about individual whales. Supplemental information: Sightings and images were submitted to Happywhale by contributors. A portion of the Happywhale data were transferred to OBIS-SEAMAP upon the agreement between Happywhale and OBIS-SEAMAP. There may be duplicate records among Happywhale datasets and other OBIS-SEAMAP datasets. The precision of date/time vary per record. Some records have date accuracy up to year only. This dataset includes sightings and photos from the following 1 contributors in alphabetic order: James D Smith
Happywhale - Walrus in North Pacific Ocean
Original provider: Happywhale Dataset credits: Happywhale and contributors Abstract: Happywhale.com is a resource to help you know whales as individuals, and to benefit conservation science with rich data about individual whales. Supplemental information: Sightings and images were submitted to Happywhale by contributors. A portion of the Happywhale data were transferred to OBIS-SEAMAP upon the agreement between Happywhale and OBIS-SEAMAP. There may be duplicate records among Happywhale datasets and other OBIS-SEAMAP datasets. The precision of date/time vary per record. Some records have date accuracy up to year only. This dataset includes sightings and photos from the following 1 contributors in alphabetic order: Maksim Antipin
ICES Eggs and larvae
A unified portal to access data from ichthyoplankton surveys with different target species, spatial and temporal coverage carried out in the ICES areas.
Use cases
State of knowledge on marine connectivity gathered by migratory marine species
ABNJ connectivity marine species management telemetry tracking
Advancements in technology have improved our knowledge of how different areas of the ocean are connected by the movement of migratory and mobile marine species. This information is vital to inform area-based management and conservation efforts. The authors of this study, led by the OBIS-SEAMAP node, performed a literature review of 25 years of accessible connectivity data for 173 marine mammal, fish, sea turtle, and seabird species to shed light on the current state of knowledge. They found telemetry methods are the most effective tool for demonstrating connectivity, but that significant gaps and obstacles remain in this field of research.
Invasive marine algae in the Mediterranean was misidentified for decades
Algae Invasive species Mediterranean Modelling
The red algae, "Lophocladia lallemandii", one of the worst invasive species in the Mediterranean, was misidentified for nearly three decades. The researchers who discovered this error recommend genetic analysis as a mandatory first step when identifying, monitoring and managing invasives. OBIS served as a useful data repository to confirm the occurrence of this misidentified species.
Preserving seagrasses in a changing climate
climate change modelling MPA seagrass
This study provides the first comprehensive global assessment of how climate change may affect the distribution and range of 66 seagrass species. It also examines how well the current global MPA coverage will protect these important ecosystems in the future. The authors relied on occurrence records from OBIS, along with other sources of data and expert knowledge, to develop species distribution models under various scenarios.
Metabarcoding is a promising tool for identifying species of fish from their eggs and larvae
DNA eggs fish larvae ichthyoplankton metabarcoding Indian Ocean
Understanding the diversity and distribution of fish egg and larvae in the ocean provides invaluable information on ecosystem health, capacity to recover from disturbances and helps guide management and conservation efforts. This study shows that metabarcoding is a promising tool that allows for rapid and accurate species identification. OBIS was used to validate and confirm the distribution range, habitat and occurrence of the species detected by metabarcoding.
How many species live in the world’s largest marine mineral exploration region?
Biodiversity Deep sea Pacific Taxonomy
This study offers the first comprehensive synthesis of published data for the Clarion-Clipperton Zone (CCZ) in the central and eastern Pacific. The authors report that this area, which covers 6 million km2, represents significant undescribed biodiversity with an estimated 88%–92% species waiting to be described. Data used in this research were extracted from OBIS highlighting its value as a global data repository for marine biodiversity.
Current knowledge on the reproduction of deep-sea corals
Corals Deep Sea Depth Distribution Reproduction
This study looks at the current state of research on the reproduction of deep-sea corals. Occurrence records were extracted from OBIS to find available information for species living at depths below 100m. Less than 7% of known deep-sea coral species were found to have any aspect of their reproduction reported in the literature highlighting significant gaps and priorities for future research.