Information management has become an important issue in a world where reliable and timely access to data defines the ability of any individual or organization to attain its goals. This is also true for those working to address coastal and marine issues.

The marine sciences are broadening their scope and shifting from the compartmentalized study of individual features of the oceans, to a larger view that examines broad, multi-faceted themes such as coastal area management, ecosystem dynamics and ocean-atmosphere interactions.  Unlike focused and singular scientific investigations, understanding large topics requires the integration of different disciplines, accomplished via informed communication and exchange of data and information. Furthermore, marine scientific research is very expensive, and has been traditionally pursued by wealthier, more developed nations.  However, as political delineations are of no consequence to the biological, physical and chemical processes of the world’s coastal, ocean and atmospheric systems, existing marine scientific data and information is of little practical value unless it is effectively disseminated amongst all relevant governments an users. Moreover, the sustainable development and management of the oceans, the coasts, and their resources is more and more dependent upon policies strongly founded upon scientific information.

Currently, many countries and peoples who have the need are unable to access available data, and even if they are equipped with the technological capability to do so, they may lack the expertise to interpret and / or apply the knowledge.  Thus the challenge of information and data management takes on dimensions such as capacity building and distance learning, in addition to database establishment and management.  The IOC is committed to increasing the capacity of its member states to access, understand, apply and exchange marine scientific data and information that is critical to sustainable use and development of their ocean and coastal areas.