OBIS: Ocean Biodiversity Information System

The OBIS Secretariat joined a recent three-day workshop organised by GBIF: The Global Biodiversity Information Facility to review and contribute to the future of its eDNA roadmap, together with representatives from institutions and projects involved in biomolecular observations, including eDNAqua-Plan & DTO BioFlow! As a relatively recent addition to the biodiversity observing toolkit, eDNA requires close community alignment on publishing, integrating, and accessing biomolecular observation data in global platforms such as OBIS and GBIF, as well as planned technical developments to ensure consistency and coordination to avoid overlaps. The event offered another great opportunity to reinforce the collaboration between OBIS and GBIF through encouraging joint efforts to unlock the full potential of eDNA.

Time for a marine species data splash with OBIS! 🦈 Today, the Whale Shark (Rhincodon typus). The largest fish in the ocean, often exceeding 12 m, this gentle plankton-feeding filter feeder is completely harmless to humans. OBIS includes 13,282 quality-checked occurrence records across 93 datasets, spanning 1828 to 2024. Two datasets contribute particularly large portions: 8,417 records from the ECOCEAN Whale Shark Photo-ID Library, and 2,813 records from a Galápagos satellite-tagging dataset. 🔗 Explore our data: https://lnkd.in/dR3XBuj4

#OBISDataSuperPowers 💫 Did you know OBIS documents the full dataset structure (Occurrence Core + optional extensions like eMoF, Sampling Effort, Tracking, and DNA) so measurements, traits, effort, and sequences link to records? 💡 Consistent formatting keeps multi-table downloads analysis-ready. 🔗 Read more about the OBIS dataset structure: https://lnkd.in/dGzUrWZF (the page features a very useful #decisiontree 🌳 carefully crafted by Elizabeth Lawrence and Stephen Formel)

Time for a look-back at #LivingData2025! 👀 The world's first global conference on biodiversity data was a massive success, bringing together over 1000 participants from around the world. Hosted by Instituto de Investigación de Recursos Biológicos Alexander von Humboldt, these four days strengthened collaborations, highlighted interconnections, and inspired cooperation. For OBIS, Living Data 2025 was an exceptionally rich and fruitful experience, demonstrating our influence and our role on the biodiversity data stage, along with GBIF: The Global Biodiversity Information Facility, GEO BON, and Biodiversity Information Standards (TDWG). We returned from the conference with five key takeaways on the future of biodiversity data: 1️⃣ Data depends on people 2️⃣ Working together accelerates data mobilization 3️⃣ Reliable data supports action 4️⃣ Innovation brings radical impact 5️⃣ We need global collaboration on biodiversity data Read more in our full article and get unlimited access to all the OBIS-related recorded sessions: https://lnkd.in/d_2Sn4f8

Join the team! We are seeking a Training Consultant & OBIS BioEcoOcean Consultant for an 11-month, fully remote mission. Deadline to apply: 21 November 2025. Read more: https://iode.org/jobs/

Time for a marine species data splash with OBIS! 🌊 Today, the Pompeii Worm (Alvinella pompejana). This deep-sea annelid thrives in one of the hottest places on Earth—hydrothermal vents—enduring temperatures up to around 80°C through a thermal shield of symbiotic bacteria on its back. OBIS holds 209 records from 7 datasets spanning 1996–2015, each from depths beyond 2,000 m. Drawn largely from French oceanographic cruises, with added contributions from global collections, these data provide a rare glimpse of how life adapts to one of the planet’s most extreme habitats. 🔗 Explore our data: https://lnkd.in/deJhBjWc

#OBISDataSuperPowers 💫 Did you know OBIS applies automatic data quality control flags (on-land coordinates, depth beyond bathymetry, event-time issues, non-marine taxa)? Those built-in checks help data contributors filter artifacts before skewing maps and models. 🔗 Check out how the flags work: https://lnkd.in/d-4tq2iJ

Explore how OBIS can provide the data, tools, and expertise to support the digital foundation of the BBNJ Agreement and its four pillars. The High Seas Treaty, or BBNJ Agreement, will enter into force on 17 January 2026. Aiming at protecting marine life beyond national borders, the Agreement is a turning point for global ocean governance, demonstrating that a fair, science-first approach can change how the world manages its global commons. As the world's largest marine biodiversity data platform, OBIS can provide open, FAIR-compliant data, tools, and services aligned with the Agreement's provisions on transparency, equitable access, and benefit-sharing. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dVjfSy4P

Collaborative work at its best!

Time for a marine species data splash with OBIS! 🌊 Today, the Yellow Tube Sponge (Aplysina aerophoba). This vibrant sponge filters seawater, helping clean its surroundings while hosting microbial life. OBIS includes ~290 quality-checked records across 15 datasets, mostly from the Mediterranean Sea, with observations from 1937–2022. Some records come from citizen-science initiatives (e.g., regional volunteer diver programs) alongside monitoring campaigns and regional inventories. 🔗 Explore our data: https://lnkd.in/dcaa6CJn