Marine Science Faculty Publications

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2018

Keywords

capacity development, technology transfer, global ocean observing system, GOOS, monitoring, essential ocean variables, international reporting, SDG14

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2018.00346.

Abstract

Developing enduring capacity to monitor ocean life requires investing in people and their institutions to build infrastructure, ownership, and long-term support networks. International initiatives can enhance access to scientific data, tools and methodologies, and develop local expertise to use them, but without ongoing engagement may fail to have lasting benefit. Linking capacity development and technology transfer to sustained ocean monitoring is a win-win proposition. Trained local experts will benefit from joining global communities of experts who are building the comprehensive Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). This two-way exchange will benefit scientists and policy makers in developing and developed countries. The first step toward the GOOS is complete: identification of an initial set of biological Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) that incorporate the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Essential Biological Variables (EBVs), and link to the physical and biogeochemical EOVs. EOVs provide a globally consistent approach to monitoring where the costs of monitoring oceans can be shared and where capacity and expertise can be transferred globally. Integrating monitoring with existing international reporting and policy development connects ocean observations with agreements underlying many countries' commitments and obligations, including under SDG 14, thus catalyzing progress toward sustained use of the ocean. Combining scientific expertise with international capacity development initiatives can help meet the need of developing countries to engage in the agreed United Nations (UN) initiatives including new negotiations for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, and the needs of the global community to understand how the ocean is changing.

Comments

Complete list of authors:

Bax, Nicholas J., Appeltans, Ward, Brainard, Russell, Duffy, J. Emmett, Dunstan, Piers, Hanich, Quentin, Harden Davies, Harriet, Hills, Jeremy, Miloslavich, Patricia, Muller-Karger, Frank Edgar, Simmons, Samantha, Aburto-Oropeza, O., Batten, Sonia, Benedetti-Cecchi, Lisandro, Checkley, David, Chiba, Sanae, Fischer, Albert, Andersen Garcia, Melissa, Gunn, John, Klein, Eduardo, Kudela, Raphael M., Marsac, Francis, Obura, David, Shin, Yunne-Jai, Sloyan, Bernadette, Tanhua, Toste and Wilkin, John

Rights Information

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Was this content written or created while at USF?

Yes

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Frontiers in Marine Science, v. 5, art. 346

Included in

Life Sciences Commons

Share

COinS