The European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet) is a network of European organisations working together to observe the oceans, to make the collected marine data freely available and interoperable, to create seamless data layers across sea-basins and to distribute the data and data products through the Internet. The primary aim of EMODnet is to unlock existing but fragmented and hidden marine data and make them accessible for a wide range of users including private bodies, public authorities and researchers.
The overarching objective of the assignment ‘Consultant Strategic Advice for the Ocean Biodiversity Information System (OBIS)’ was to gain insight on the current and future needs of key OBIS stakeholders, assess OBIS nodes’ capacity to support those needs and identify gaps and opportunities for improvement in stakeholder engagement, including developing new partnerships, to deliver on the objectives of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.
Seascape Belgium carried out the assignment over a period of four months, being responsible for the design and implementation of the following tasks:
- Development of a roster of stakeholders and OBIS nodes and stakeholder engagement strategy.
- Review of stakeholders’ strategic plans, one-to-one semi-structured interviews of stakeholders and two online surveys.
- Assessment of the capacity of OBIS nodes by means of a questionnaire built on the identified needs in the interviews and surveys.
- Mapping of stakeholders’ activities that benefit or could benefit from the use of OBIS.
- Identification of gaps and opportunities for improvements in stakeholder engagement.
- Reporting of key conclusions & recommendations.
The final report on conclusions & recommendations delivered to OBIS covered all aspects considered key for improvement of stakeholder engagement, including partnerships, new training, promotion of OBIS to a wide variety of stakeholders, practical & technical suggestions and funding.
Related information: http://obis.org/