Guide for responsible national oceanographic data centres - Annex II.

Abstract

The past two decades have seen a remarkable expansion in scientific investigations of the world's oceans, both on a national and international co-operative basis. The results of these investigations take many forms with data possibly being the first important measure of their success. Along with the growth of oceanographic programmes, a well-functioning net- work for the exchange of oceanographic data has been established under the guidance of the International Council of Scientific Unions (ICSU) and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). This network, comprised of world and national data centres, is a remarkable example of a system for supporting international co-operation in the marine sciences. The network is.supported entirely by data services in Member States and, through their concerted efforts, it has been possible to serve users in all countries with centrally archived data and computerized data banks,