SeaDataNet
Project overview
What is SeaDataNet?
SeaDataNet (2006 - 2011) is an EU funded project aiming to create and operate a pan-European, marine data management infrastructure, accessible online through a unique portal.
Its primary goal is the development of a system which provides transparent access to marine data sets and data products from 36 countries in and around Europe. It will construct a standardised, distributed system for managing the large and diverse data sets collected by oceanographic fleets and the new automatic observation systems.
The SeaDataNet Partnership
SeaDataNet brings together 49 major European institutes and marine data centres, including
- 40 National Oceanographic Data Centres and Satellite Data Centres representing the backbone of the marine data and information infrastructure.
- Research laboratories and modelling centres, experts in the development of value added products.
- Four International Organisations.
Rationale
Access to marine data sets is of vital importance for marine research. It is a key issue for various studies, from climate change prediction to off shore engineering.
Currently, the management of marine data is highly fragmented. In 36 countries bordering the European seas of the partnership, 600 scientific data collecting laboratories from governmental organisations and private industry have been identified. The collected data are neither easily accessible, nor standardised. They are not always validated and their security and availability have to be ensured for the future.
Approach
The "SeaDataNet Virtual Data Centre" will be developed by the adoption of common standards and new communication technology. It will build on work already performed by other projects, such as SEA-SEARCH, the European Directory of the Ocean-observing System (EDIOS) and Ocean Data View (ODV). It will collaborate with international organisations including the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) and the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES).
This presents several technical and organisational challenges to get a fully operational system, which will be met in the project interdependent activities. More information about these activities can be found on the SeaDataNet web site.
Funding
The SeaDataNet project is an Integrated Infrastructure Initiative of the EU Sixth Framework Programme. It has an allocated budget of €9 million.
Related BODC pages
| Contents | BODC's SEA-SEARCH pages | |
| BODC's role | European Directory of the Ocean-observing System (EDIOS) | |
| Other links |
Related external links
| Official SeaDataNet web site | EU Sixth Framework Programme | |
| Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) | International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) | |
| Ocean Data View (ODV) |
