1. Data Flow in MEDIN

2. The MEDIN DAC Network • DAC Network Objective: • To provide secure long-term storage for marine data. • To provide the capability to upload data into and to retrieve data from the DACs. • Data contributors should have free access to their data managed within the DAC framework. • Required capabilities of DACs : • To ensure the secure, long term, curation of key marine data sets, according to • best practice and to relevant national and international standards. • To make available clear, searchable information on their data holdings, by the • generation and publication of metadata on the MEDIN portal. • To form the first point of call of expertise for the management of marine data.

3. The MEDIN DAC Network (cont) • MEDIN has established an agreed list of capabilities, required for a DAC to be “accredited”, which include : • Quality assurance of the collected data • Data-basing and banking with appropriate metadata standards • Auditable process for long term custodianship and updating of data sets, with appropriate disaster planning • Making datasets freely available wherever possible (not necessarily at zero cost) • Committed to raising awareness of the holdings • .

4. The MEDIN Data Archive Centre Network The first four DACs incorporated into the network are: BODC: Water column oceanography – all marine data collected under NERC contracts BGS: Marine geology and geophysics DASSH: Marine species and habitats UKHO: Bathymetry

5. DAC Network Progress 2008-09 • Building the DAC network • BGS, BODC, DASSH, UKHO accredited. • Bathymetry DAC established • Discussions progressing on scope and organisation of fisheries DAC. • Internal discussions at Met Office re Met DAC • Bringing in new data • CCW temperature logger data being archived at BODC • DASSH working with Shark Trust, National Marine Aquarium, Marine Conservation Society • Discussions on how to bring in data from COWRIE and marine aggregates characterisation surveys. • BGS cataloguing BERR Strategic Environmental Assessment data (UK shelf seas) • Reviews: • DAC costs and funding – review underway, delivery Q3 2009 • Options to support archiving of data across a network of DACs

6. Consolidating the Data Centre network • Bringing marine data into the MEDIN DAC network • Data already collected, but not archived • The MEDIN DACs already maintain comprehensive data holdings for their identified themes . • MEDIN will identify and support the upload of priority data sets that are not currently securely managed. • New data collections • The MEDIN DACs have agreements in place with funders and key partners. • The MEDIN partnership agreement requires partners to archive their marine data within the MEDIN DAC network. • Partners are encouraged to adopt the “Data Clause” whilst contracting the collection of marine data – this requires arrangements to be made in advance to ensure the archival of data at the completion of the contract.

7. Developing Use Cases for Data Flow • Metadata • Generation • Creation of Unique Identifiers • Validation • Publication • Data • Generation (including formats used) • Quality Control • Archival • Management of updates and corrections • Habitat Surveys by a Countryside Agency • Environmental Characterisation Survey commissioned by govt dept. • Research Cruise by Fisheries Laboratory • Agency carrying out routine monitoring submitting its metadata to UKDMOS