A collaborative framework for joint DFO/NOAA ocean acidification research and monitoring

Table of Contents

• Complete Text
• 1.0 Introduction
  • 1.1 Background and context
  • 1.2 DFO mission as related to ocean acidification
  • 1.3 NOAA mission as related to ocean acidification
  • 1.4 Coordination framework
  • 1.5 Value proposition
• 2.0 Monitoring
  • 2.1 Integrated monitoring
  • 2.2 Priority regions
  • 2.3 Biological indicators
• 3.0 Research, modelling and experimentation
  • 3.1 Modelling initiative
  • 3.2 Establish research priorities
• 4.0 Data and information
  • 4.1 Data sharing
  • 4.2 Inventories of science capacity
  • 4.3 Communication
• 5.0 Supports for collaboration
  • 5.1 Best practices
  • 5.2 Sharing capacity, expertise, and methodologies
  • 5.3 Other partners
  • 5.4 Technology
  • 5.5 Platforms, ships, moorings, and laboratories
• 6.0 Conclusion
  • 6.1 Summary of actionable items
  • 6.2 Future meetings
• Annex: Governance

4.0 Data and information

4.1 Data sharing

Another important aspect of this Coordination Framework is the sharing of data and information. In particular, it will be important to coordinate Carbon and Biological Data Sharing. In Canada, the DFO Science Data Policy states that all data are to be made publically available within 2 years of collection. Currently, some data are available through BioChem, a database developed and maintained by DFO to hold biological and chemical data resulting from department research initiatives or that are collected in areas of Canadian interest. The US Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) and the future Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System (CIOOS) are examples of ocean data resources. In addition, all projects funded by the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program are required to archive data in the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information’s Ocean Acidification Data System (OADS). In the future, DFO and NOAA will use existing portals to make their data available for sharing as soon as possible within the regions and between the two agencies. Both agencies will contribute, to the extent possible, to the Global Ocean Acidification Observing Network (GOA-ON) with aims to improve international OA data sharing efforts and make observing data from respective national data archives more accessible.

4.2 Inventories of science capacity

In order to improve coordination of research and monitoring activities both agencies will create inventories of their existing science capacity, similar to current regional efforts through the Pacific Coast Collaborative Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia West Coast Monitoring Inventory. An inventory will be created of all OA manipulation facilities, including details about species being studied, co-stressors being manipulated, experimental designs, and response variables being measured. Another inventory will be created that lists OA analytical chemistry facilities including details about the parameters and instruments being used. A third inventory of OA researchers working at DFO and NOAA will be compiled which will include researchers’ biographies, species studied, response variable, location, and any other relevant details. These inventories will aid communication between DFO and NOAA, as well as with internal and external partners in academic institutions and other stakeholder communities. NOAA is leading the development of a new web based platform – the OA Information Exchange – that may facilitate this sharing.

4.3 Communication

Improving and facilitating communication between DFO and NOAA is essential for future coordination. The governance structure of a DFO-NOAA Ocean Acidification Coordination Committee and two working groups will be established (Annex) to continue discussions and to develop more concrete plans for the future. Regional hubs may also be created within the monitoring working group to connect scientists working in the same region who might face similar challenges, such as the Arctic, Northwest Atlantic, and Northeast Pacific.

It is important to improve and continue communication within and between DFO and NOAA for more interaction between the two agencies as well as with the regions and the non-science client sectors. To expand on this idea, scientists at DFO and NOAA need to develop science plans in partnership with the client sectors in order to improve communication on clients’ needs and data sharing. NOAA has a communication model in place through a series of Coastal Acidification Networks (CAN) that encompass clients, scientists, and government managers. These CANs support this communications goal and NOAA will share information with DFO to help improve communications among interested regional parties in Canada, especially for informing management and other fisheries sectors and OA research findings in their respective sectors. Additionally, the Marine Environmental Observation Prediction and Response Network (MEOPAR) is currently gauging interest in developing a Canadian Community of Practice on OA which could help to improve communication within Canada.