OBIS Coordination Groups

The OBIS Data Coordination Group, Nodes Coordination Group and Product Coordination Group are a new structural element of the OBIS Community instated by the 12th Session of the OBIS Steering Group that took place on 25-29 March 2024. The Coordination Groups enterinate the restructuration of OBIS to better support its next development phase. The Coordination Groups combine and replace the former Task Teams and Project Teams for a more agile, responsive, and inclusive approach to reflect OBIS’s evolution as a dynamic, global community of practice.

Consolidated around dedicated work plans, each Coordination Group addresses shared topical priorities and tackles common challenges. The Coordination Groups are collaboration platforms for the Nodes to develop OBIS as a community and a global marine data biodiversity initiative. The Coordination Groups also help identify emerging needs through low-threshold feedback loops and contribute to continuously improving OBIS services and tools. The Coordination Groups also encourage inclusivity and diversity by creating a space for regional voices, ensuring the representativity of all contexts, from local to global. They power inter-node collaborations through experience, resource-sharing and direct interactions.

The OBIS Coordination Groups reflect the collective engagement sustaining the OBIS Community to advance Ocean knowledge and support informed marine conservation decision-making.

OBIS Nodes Coordination Group (NCG)

Co-chairs: Maria Cornwaithe and John Nicholls

The Nodes Coordination Group aims to serve as the main platform for OBIS Node managers and their representatives to communicate, collaborate, and ensure consistency and inclusivity in data mobilization, training, and engagement across the global OBIS Community.

Its responsibilities include:

OBIS Data Coordination Group (DCG)

Co-chair: Rubén Pérez Pérez Co-chairs ad interim: Dan Lear and Katherine Tattersall

The Data Coordination Group aims to ensure the quality, interoperability, and alignment of OBIS data with global biodiversity and ocean observing standards and support Nodes in publishing high-quality, standardized marine biodiversity data.

Its responsibilities include:

Membership:

OBIS Product Coordination Group (PCG)

Co-chairs: Stephen Formel and Jon Pye

The Product Coordination Group aims to coordinate developing and curating OBIS data and information products (e.g., maps, dashboards, indicators) that synthesize marine biodiversity data from OBIS and other sources and make them accessible and useful to stakeholders.

Its responsibilities include:

Membership: