AUTHOR=Tanhua Toste , Pouliquen Sylvie , Hausman Jessica , O’Brien Kevin , Bricher Pip , de Bruin Taco , Buck Justin J. H. , Burger Eugene F. , Carval Thierry , Casey Kenneth S. , Diggs Steve , Giorgetti Alessandra , Glaves Helen , Harscoat Valerie , Kinkade Danie , Muelbert Jose H. , Novellino Antonio , Pfeil Benjamin , Pulsifer Peter L. , Van de Putte Anton , Robinson Erin , Schaap Dick , Smirnov Alexander , Smith Neville , Snowden Derrick , Spears Tobias , Stall Shelley , Tacoma Marten , Thijsse Peter , Tronstad Stein , Vandenberghe Thomas , Wengren Micah , Wyborn Lesley , Zhao Zhiming TITLE=Ocean FAIR Data Services JOURNAL=Frontiers in Marine Science VOLUME=6 YEAR=2019 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2019.00440 DOI=10.3389/fmars.2019.00440 ISSN=2296-7745 ABSTRACT=

Well-founded data management systems are of vital importance for ocean observing systems as they ensure that essential data are not only collected but also retained and made accessible for analysis and application by current and future users. Effective data management requires collaboration across activities including observations, metadata and data assembly, quality assurance and control (QA/QC), and data publication that enables local and interoperable discovery and access and secures archiving that guarantees long-term preservation. To achieve this, data should be findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR). Here, we outline how these principles apply to ocean data and illustrate them with a few examples. In recent decades, ocean data managers, in close collaboration with international organizations, have played an active role in the improvement of environmental data standardization, accessibility, and interoperability through different projects, enhancing access to observation data at all stages of the data life cycle and fostering the development of integrated services targeted to research, regulatory, and operational users. As ocean observing systems evolve and an increasing number of autonomous platforms and sensors are deployed, the volume and variety of data increase dramatically. For instance, there are more than 70 data catalogs that contain metadata records for the polar oceans, a situation that makes comprehensive data discovery beyond the capacity of most researchers. To better serve research, operational, and commercial users, more efficient turnaround of quality data in known formats and made available through Web services is necessary. In particular, automation of data workflows will be critical to reduce friction throughout the data value chain. Adhering to the FAIR principles with free, timely, and unrestricted access to ocean observation data is beneficial for the originators, has obvious benefits for users, and is an essential foundation for the development of new services made possible with big data technologies.