One of the central MEDIN objectives is to establish a robust network of definitive, integrated, Data Archiving Centres (DACs) to provide secure long-term archival and managed third party access to marine environmental data. There are currently four accredited DACs within the MEDIN network: The British Oceanographic Data Centre (BODC) covering oceanographic components; the British Geological Survey (BGS) covering sea floor and sub seabed geophysical and geological data; the Data Archive for Seabed Species and Habitats (DASSH) dealing with the benthic data; and the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) holding bathymetric data. An expansion of coverage of the MEDIN DAC network is being considered to include meteorological, fisheries and historic environment data.
Of course, archiving data costs money, and so as well as establishing technical processes and agreements for archiving data it is important to ensure that sustainable long-term funding arrangements are in place. MEDIN was tasked by its Sponsors’ Board to investigate this issue and come up with some practical, equitable (and affordable!) recommendations.
This note outlines the approach recommended by MEDIN to ensure sustainable long-term funding of the DACs and data archiving. The full paper can be found on the MEDIN website here.
