23 March 2018: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP, or UN Environment) World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) launched Ocean+Data, an online library of ocean-related data resources meant to inform decision making. In parallel, the Asia-Pacific Commission on Agricultural Statistics launched the Pacific Strategic Plan for Agricultural and Fisheries Statistics (P-SPAFS). Both data collection mechanisms were announced as the UK published a report calling for improved data collection to support a growing ocean economy.

Ocean+Data aims to support marine spatial planning, environmental impact assessments and ecosystem assessments as well as other data-driven approaches to ocean conservation. It features 183 data sources, including global marine and coastal datasets, regional datasets, databases from scientific sources and other sources of ocean-related data. Users can filter the datasets by theme, category, and organization, and access a variety of tools and resources, ranging from a blue carbon mapping toolkit to case studies of cross-border maritime spatial planning.

UNEP-WCMC highlights the online library’s application to support educational opportunities on marine-related subjects and software, and to improve students’ understanding of the ocean. The data will be updated bi-annually. UNEP-WCMC created Ocean+Data as part of the Ocean+Initiative, which is funded by the Proteus Partnership.

The plan aims to ensure the use of high quality, relevant and timely statistics in policy decisions.

Also on statistics, the 27th meeting of the Asia-Pacific Commission on Agricultural Statistics launched the Pacific Strategic Plan for Agricultural and Fisheries Statistics (P-SPAFS). The plan aims to ensure the use of high quality, relevant and timely statistics in policy decisions related to agriculture, fisheries, food security, natural resources, and rural development. P-SPAFS will enhance data comparability across these sectors in Pacific small island developing States (SIDS). A technical working group with representatives from agriculture, forestry, fisheries and statistics from Pacific SIDS, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) and the Pacific Community (SPC) developed the P-SPAFS.

Calls and efforts for improved ocean-related data and statistics come as the United Kingdom’s Government Office for Science published a report predicting that the value of the ocean economy will double over the next 12 years to US$3 trillion. The report, titled ‘Foresight Future of the Sea,’ cautions that global environmental challenges, such as ocean acidification, marine plastic pollution and over-fishing, threaten this economic value. Within this context, the report also recommends increased data collection as well as the development of autonomous vehicles and international collaboration on ocean science to better understand marine life, reduce pollution, and improve decision-making towards sustainable ocean management. [Ocean+Data] [Pacific Community Press Release] [Ocean Action Hub News Story] [Publication: Foresight Future of the Sea]