We are excited to dive into ocean data with our diving guide Muriel Rabone on December 10 and her Ocean Seminar on Ocean databases!
On December 10 at 17:00 to 18:30 (CET) our guest speaker, Muriel Rabone, will talk about the Diving into ocean data: relevant databases, practices and exploring the intersection of data and governance!
About the speaker
Muriel Rabone is a researcher at the Natural History Museum Deep-Sea Systematics and Ecology Group; with expertise in deep-ocean biodiversity, and Neglected Tropical Diseases and 45 peer reviewed publications. She has been involved in science-policy particularly the BBNJ Agreement since 2017, co-leading the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative working group on Marine Genetic Resources.
Introduction into the topic
Effective ocean governance requires the generation, synthesis and incorporation of reliable data into policy generation and implementation. This seminar will explore how to meet this challenge effectively to allow ocean governance frameworks to be based on robust and up-to-date knowledge. To set the scene, we will start with a brief outline of data resources, databases, practices and principles, to illustrate the ocean data ecosystem. We will delve into the ocean data-policy governance nexus, exploring this through case studies. First we will look at the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction BBNJ Agreement, due to enter into force Jan 2026, including data elements such as data management plans, the clearing house to be established under the agreement, and potential operationalisation of the standardised batch identifier for traceability of marine genetic resources. As an additional case study, we will discuss the International Seabed Authority data strategy and database, DeepData. We will explore challenges in the flow of ocean data and findings into policy, and elements that can support this process, including roles for networks, and interdisciplinary approaches and engagement.
Suggested reading
- Bloch Haimson, M., Lehahn, Y. and Sagi, T., 2025. An overview of the ocean data ecosystem. Ocean Science, 21(6), pp.3131-3164. https://doi.org/10.5194/os-21-3131-2025
- Drakopulos, L., Havice, E. and Campbell, L., 2022. Architecture, agency and ocean data science initiatives: Data-driven transformation of oceans governance. Earth System Governance, 12, p.100140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esg.2022.100140
- Durden, J. 2025. Environmental management using a digital twin. Environmental Science and Policy, 164, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2025.104018
- Pearlman, J., Bushnell, M., Coppola, L., Karstensen, J., Buttigieg, P.L., Pearlman, F., Simpson, P., Barbier, M., Muller-Karger, F.E., Munoz-Mas, C. and Pissierssens, P., 2019. Evolving and sustaining ocean best practices and standards for the next decade. Frontiers in Marine Science, 6, p.277. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2019.00277
- Rabone, M., Horton, T., Humphries, F., Lyal, C.H., Muraki Gottlieb, H., Scholz, A.H., Vanagt, T. and Jaspars, M., 2025. BBNJ Agreement: Considerations for Scientists and Commercial End Users of MGR at Research, Development and Commercialization Stages. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-72100-7_14
- Rabone, M., Horton, T., Jones, D.O.B., Simon-Lledó, E. and Glover, A.G., 2023b. A review of the International Seabed Authority database DeepData from a biological perspective: challenges and opportunities in the UN Ocean Decade. Database, 2023, baad013. https://doi.org/10.1093/database/baad013
Databases
OBIS; Ocean Biodiversity Information System
ODIS; Ocean Data Information System https://odis.org/
OBPS; Ocean Best Practices System: https://www.oceanbestpractices.org/
WoRMS; World Register Marine Species https://www.marinespecies.org/
Marine Regions https://www.marineregions.org/
IODE- ICO/UNESCO https://iode.org/
NOAA- https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/world-ocean-database
BODC- https://www.bodc.ac.uk/data/
Join Us!
📌 Register here: https://mailchi.mp/ed2568d2b8dd/ocean-seminar-lecture-series
📌 More information: https://twinpolitics.eu/
Join this meeting here: https://zoom.us/j/91304469522?pwd=QVpWPjbRp4oUkBXMd6LpNaVzv1thDq.1
Project Leader: Prof. Dr. Alice Vadrot – TwinPolitics Principal investigator, University of Vienna – alice.vadrot@univie.ac.at
Seminar Organiser – The TwinPolitics Team, University of Vienna – twinpolitics.erc.powi@univie.ac.at
This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme (grant agreement No 101124903 – TwinPolitics – ERC-2024-STG). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Council. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
