OSPAR request on possible way forward with the handling of data and/or statistics, under OSPAR monitoring programmes and for the benefit of OSPAR assessment procedures, from monitoring devices generating large amounts of data

In  relation  to  handling  of  data  and  statistics  stemming  from  monitoring  devices  generating  large  amounts  of  data,  OSPAR may make use of already existing catalogues and mechanisms for discovery, access, and assessing data confidence related to eutrophication  (CMEMS,  EMODnet  Physics,  and  SAHFOS)  and  ocean  acidification  (CDIAC).  ICES  considers  these  existing  coordinated  services  and  programmes  to  be  well  structured,  robust,  and  well  managed.  There  is  little  benefit  to  OSPAR  in  replicating these metadata in ICES.
Despite the already extensive data sources (existing and novel monitoring methods) being compiled, there remain many gaps when  combining  complementary  parameters  for  assessment  purposes  in,  for  example,  spatial  resolution,  frequency  of  sampling, and standardization  of  sampling  methods  and/or  models.  In  order  to  best  exploit  existing data  in  the  OSPAR  common  procedure  it  is  essential  that  a  desired  end  product  is  identified  by the  assessment  experts (i.e.  an  indicator  and  associated  target).  Once  in  place,  appropriate  parameters  with  specifications  on  the  temporal  and  spatial  resolution  can  be  identified. These  technical specifications  with  a  specific  assessment  end  product  in mind  can  then  be  turned  into  data products  that  can  be  prepared  and  delivered  according  to  the  methodologies  recommended  by OSPAR  experts. In  this  process  novel monitoring method data sources (models, satellite and in situ observations) can be exploited directly or used to complement existing monitoring, thus bringing added value to OSPAR assessments. In particular, a coordinated approach to using novel monitoring methods to complement existing monitoring should be a priority at an operational level to address MSFD descriptors D5 (human-induced eutrophication), D7 (hydrographic conditions), and D8 (contaminants). A targeted pilot project could be used develop an initial OSPAR area wide indicator and establish guiding principles for OSPAR on how to best capitalize on data  generated  from  novel  monitoring  methods,  while  ensuring  interoperability,  traceability,  and  quality  assurance that follow common international standards.