standardization of environmental data and information - International ...

In the discussion, one participant stressed the need to make the
database friendly to scientists, as had been done in the development of
Biocean, the database of the Institut français de recherche pour l'exploitation
de la mer (IFREMER). Another thought it more logical to develop cataloguing
and metadata standards that would promote interaction between existing
databases of the contractors.
Rex estimated that two or three programmers would be needed to
maintain the database. The cost of contractual services for Biocean was put at
about 30,000 United States dollars a year, not including IFREMER staff. An ISA
official said the Authority had recently begun work on establishing a central
data repository on manganese nodules, sulfide deposits and crusts, and would
approach the Finance Committee about whatever needs arose in connection
with the proposed new database.
Rex believed that information collected in past years, including results
from impact-assessment studies sponsored by governments, should be
incorporated. However, a participant cautioned that some older material was
not comparable to newer data. The Secretary-General reported that ISA had
had good responses from several non-contractors who had offered data and
would be in touch with others to see what it could get on a selective basis.
The Secretary-General commented that the Authority’s emphasis on
the environment, while mandated by its objectives, was also motivated in part
by the notion that it would be better for ISA to develop its own standards than
have them imposed from outside by those who might question its status as a
responsible actor in the oceans if it did not act.
Dr. Craig R. Smith, professor at the University of Hawaii, moderated an
open discussion on standardization strategies, designed in part to guide the
working groups that were to prepare detailed recommendations. Two topics,
taxonomy and field sampling, were the focus of much of the discussion.
On taxonomy, participants generally agreed on the need for
coordination in this highly specialized domain of species identification, but
several speakers warned against excessive centralization. Dr. Smith began by
suggesting that one museum be identified as a centre to which all contractors
could send specimens for identification. Others, however, saw a need to divide
the work among experts on different animal groups, who could be contacted
through a centrally maintained list. Several participants urged greater
emphasis on cooperative endeavours such as workshops to train taxonomists
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INTERNATIONAL SEABED AUTHORITY