OBIS Data policy

This data policy is an extract from the OBIS Manual. Please refer to the manual for the latest version of the OBIS data policy.

The Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS) is an international data-sharing network that provides open access to marine biodiversity data. OBIS operates under the framework of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) and adheres to international best practices for data sharing.

This document outlines the OBIS Data Policy, ensuring transparency, accessibility, and responsible data use.

Data Sharing and Access

OBIS is committed to open access and follows the FAIR Principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable):

• Findable: Data are indexed and searchable via OBIS.
• Accessible: Data are openly available through OBIS platforms.
• Interoperable: Data are standardized to facilitate integration.
• Reusable: Data include rich metadata to support various applications.

Most OBIS data are available under a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) License, which allows users to share and adapt the data with proper attribution. Some datasets follow particular licences, such as CC BY-NC, CC BY-NC-ND, or CC BY-SA. We recommend verifying the license agreement for each dataset before use.

Data Providers and Attribution

OBIS values the contributions of data providers. To ensure proper recognition:

• Data providers retain ownership of their datasets.
• Users must cite the original data sources and the OBIS database.
• OBIS provides DOIs for datasets to facilitate citation and impact tracking.

Data providers should ensure that:

• Data are quality-checked before submission.
• Metadata include appropriate author and institutional credits.
• Updates and corrections are provided when necessary.

Ethical Use and Responsibilities

Users of OBIS data must adhere to the following ethical guidelines:

• Respect Attribution: Acknowledge the original data providers.
• Ensure Data Integrity: Do not misrepresent or manipulate data.
• Promote Open Science: Encourage data sharing within the scientific community.
• Comply with Legal Frameworks: Adhere to international and national regulations regarding biodiversity data.

OBIS discourages:

• Misuse of data leading to misinterpretation.
• Commercial exploitation without proper attribution.
• Unauthorized redistribution of data without citation.

Data Submission and Quality Control

OBIS welcomes data submissions from researchers, institutions, and citizen science initiatives. To maintain high data quality:

1. Data must conform to the OBIS data format and Darwin Core standards.
2. Metadata must be complete and provide context for proper interpretation.
3. Data undergo a validation and cleaning process before publication.

OBIS Nodes assist in data formatting, submission, and quality control.

Privacy and Sensitive Data

OBIS does not publish sensitive data that could endanger species or ecosystems. Sensitive records may be:

• Generalized to a broader geographic area.
• Restricted upon request by the data provider.
• Delayed for publication to protect ongoing research.

Data providers are responsible for flagging sensitive records before submission.

Updates and Policy Changes

OBIS may update this policy to reflect evolving best practices in data sharing. Major changes will be communicated to:

• Data providers
• OBIS Nodes
• The broader scientific community

Users should review the OBIS Data Policy regularly to stay informed.