Joint Data and Information Management Plan

Grant Agreement: 101082021
Project Acronym: MARCO-BOLO
Project Title: MARine COastal BiOdiversity Long-term Observations
Deliverable Number: D1.1
Work Package Number: WP1
Deliverable Title: Joint Data and Information Management Plan

The MARCO-BOLO project (MARine COastal BiOdiversity Long-term Observations) aims to enhance the integration, accessibility, and interoperability of marine biodiversity data across Europe and globally. This deliverable, D1.1, outlines the project's Joint Data and Information Management Plan, which serves as a foundational framework for managing data generated and mobilised by the project.

The plan is built around the principles of FAIR data (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable), and where appropriate the CARE, and TRUST principles, additionally alignment with the UN Ocean Decade Data and Information Strategy is planned. The plan promotes the use of Linked Open Data (LOD) and semantic web standards such as JSON-LD to ensure broad accessibility and machinereadability of metadata.

Key components of the plan include: 

• Alignment with global standards such as Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) and Essential Biodiversity Variables (EBVs), ensuring data relevance and interoperability.
• Support for data-generating work packages through training, tools, and engagement activities to improve data literacy and standardisation.
• Use of persistent identifiers (PIDs) and community-standard vocabularies to ensure longterm traceability and reuse of data.
• Integration with global and regional repositories like OBIS, GBIF, EMODnet, and Zenodo to ensure long-term preservation and discoverability.
• Provenance tracking and metadata transformation workflows to document data origins and processing steps.
• Community engagement with global infrastructures and linked-data communities to align practices and share innovations. 

The plan also addresses challenges such as digital literacy gaps, metadata standardisation, and the need for sustainable data infrastructure. It recommends the development of a long-term Persistent Identifier Service to support future projects.

Overall, this deliverable sets the stage for a robust, interoperable, and sustainable marine biodiversity data ecosystem, supporting evidence-based ocean governance and conservation efforts.