NOAA Publishes Okeanos Explorer Deep-Sea Biodiversity Data Globally

NOAA Ocean Exploration is making biological occurrence data from expeditions on NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer available in global databases for the first time. By publishing these annotations on the Ocean Biodiversity Information System and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, the agency aims to maximise the reach and scientific impact of its deep-sea data. The initial release includes over 60,000 biological observations from 34 remotely operated vehicle dives off the US West Coast and Alaska, part of a broader effort to make deep-ocean discoveries more accessible to scientists and policymakers worldwide.

 

The Importance of Deep-Sea Data

 

Much of ocean life remains poorly understood despite its significance. Scientists estimate there may be between 700,000 and one million species in the ocean. This figure covers mostly animals and excludes most microorganisms, which number in the millions. Roughly two-thirds of these species, possibly more, have yet to be discovered or officially described. Almost 2,000 new species are accepted by the scientific community each year.

This vast unknown underscores the value of systematic ocean exploration. NOAA Ocean Exploration collects extensive data during its deep-sea expeditions. Among its most valuable assets are the hours of video captured during remotely operated vehicle dives. On its own, however, the scientific value of this raw video is limited. Turning that footage into usable data requires careful annotation and review.

 

From Video to Annotated Records

 

The agency transforms its video footage through a structured annotation process. It partnered with Ocean Networks Canada to use SeaTube, a web-based annotation tool. This tool allows scientists both at sea and on shore to annotate observations in real time. Since 2023, the Deep Sea Animal Research Center at the University of Hawai'i at Manoa has reviewed the benthic annotations. This review ensures maximum accuracy and completeness in the resulting records.

These annotations carry significant scientific value once completed. They provide insights into species diversity, distribution and abundance across the deep ocean. The records are archived alongside other expedition data and accessible through NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information. They also inspire further research across marine science, management, policy and education. This process converts raw exploration footage into a lasting scientific resource.

 

Read more: Scientists Use AI to Map Global Seagrass Extent for First Time

 

The Data Release

 

The initial data drop draws on three expeditions conducted in 2023. Collectively, these datasets include over 60,000 biological observations and nearly 400 biological samples. They derive from 34 remotely operated vehicle dives in deep waters off the US West Coast and Alaska. This represents a substantial body of records from a single release. The scale reflects the intensity of data collection during modern deep-sea expeditions.

Each record is accompanied by detailed scientific information. Records include taxonomic data drawn from the World Register of Marine Species. They also capture date, location and other scientific measurements such as salinity, temperature and dissolved oxygen. Some records document notable animal behaviours observed during dives. The datasets further include 245 water samples collected for environmental DNA analysis.

 

Understanding OBIS and GBIF

 

The data is being published on two leading biodiversity platforms. OBIS and GBIF are the world's foremost free, open-access biodiversity databases. OBIS focuses specifically on marine life across the world's oceans. GBIF, by contrast, covers all life forms on Earth. Together they provide complementary avenues for sharing biological data.

The two databases operate under a coordinated data-sharing strategy. Under a joint strategy to improve biodiversity information, OBIS shares marine data with GBIF. This makes GBIF a more comprehensive global database of life. Publishing through OBIS therefore extends the data's reach into the broader GBIF system. This integration maximises the visibility of the contributed records.

 

Broader Impact and Future Plans

 

Sharing the data significantly improves its accessibility and usefulness. NOAA Ocean Exploration emphasises that data are only useful if people can find them. Publishing in global databases makes the records more discoverable by scientists, managers and policymakers. Combining these data with those collected by others further enables deep-ocean discoveries. This collaborative approach amplifies the value of each individual dataset.

The agency views this release as the start of an ongoing commitment. Combined with recent environmental DNA submissions, it has now contributed over 740,000 georeferenced organism records to OBIS and GBIF. NOAA is developing a plan to make such submissions a regular part of its data workflow. It is also revisiting past expeditions to ensure those data become available through the databases. This effort aims to accelerate discovery and improve the collective understanding of the global ocean.