Introduction
The success of any research or monitoring programme rests on the data products and services produced, and GOOS has recognized this from the earliest planning stages. The GOOS programme, however, offers new challenges to traditional data collection and management practices, since much of the data from the GOOS programme is delivered in real-time or near-real time, and because GOOS is composed of many on-going monitoring programmes having a variety of data management systems. This has led to a significant shift from the traditional design of data management strategies, practices, and policies.

The GOOS Data and Information Management Plan and Strategy is in the final stages of preparation. For general information, the introduction from the 3rd revision draft is presented below:

"The GOOS Data and Information Management System (DIMS) will be a highly distributed system based on contributions by operational agencies, data centres, and research organizations in the oceanographic and meteorological communities. The various programmes under development have different data and information management strategies encompassing physical, chemical, and biological observations observed in situ and from satellites. The needs for additional measurements and supporting data and information management systems are being identified by science and data management panels as GOOS is further developed. These requirements can not be foreseen in detail at the present time although the general characteristics of the systems can be described.

Initial implementation of GOOS data and information management will be accomplished in an iterative fashion by connecting existing ocean observation programmes. This initial implementation is called the Initial Operational System (IOS).

Because of the diversity of the existing systems and the lack of specific detail in regard to future requirements a centralized data management system with strict control of formats, QA/QC procedures, accuracy and precision standards, and data products "certification" is not feasible for GOOS in the near future. Thus the GOOS DIMP has been designed to outline a set of guiding principles on data management practices for the programmes contributing to GOOS, as does the management plan structure used by the World Weather Watch and GCOS.

In addition to actually managing and moving the data and information, there are two other important functions that must be included in the design of the GOOS DIMS. There is a need to connect these programmes and the participating data and science centres under a unified and centralized information services system, where information about the programmes and observations may be obtained from a single source and where access to the data holdings or holder is provided. The second requirement is for carefully designed automated or at least semi automated tracking of the data and information so that it can be demonstrated that the system is working and if not where the problems lie. This plan contains strategies to address these needs.

The plan is intended to be used by the science panels and data managers from centres that will be providing services on behalf of GOOS as a guide in planning the development and implementation of the D&IM systems for the various applications. It contains guidance and examples of successful systems that now exist, details on the existing systems that are now handling data, and contact information for the existing centres to discuss joint ventures. The plan will be read and used by persons in organizations not familiar with international data management and needs to be relatively complete in coverage.

It is proposed here that implementation of the GOOS DIMS begin by rationalizing and modifying the operation of the Initial Observing System (IOS), where necessary, to conform to the guidance and strategies of this plan. Then as GOOS is further developed, mostly through the vehicle of pilot projects, the data management requirements can be developed in parallel with the new observation networks and with full understanding of the specific details of the requirements."

Present Structure
The data and information management system for GOOS is still being developed. At present, there are a number of organisations and GOOS groups that have available data products and services to which we provide links when available. The Global Observing System Information Center (see below) provides access to historical and operational data sets. The GOOS Project Office, in collaboration with IODE, is working to develop a searchable, on-line directory of the monitoring programmes and stations that contribute to GOOS.

GOSIC
The Global Observing System Information Center (GOSIC) provides information on the observing requirements, the operational data systems, and the access procedures for finding and obtaining data and products of the G3OS. The G3OS consists of the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), and the Global Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS). GOSIC is supported by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Search GOSIC holdings through NASA's Global Change Master Directory (GCMD) System.

GOOS Data Products and Services Links