Australia’s Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS): data impacts and lessons learned

Australia's Integrated Marine Observing System (IMOS) is entering its second decade of operation, with data streams developing and growing and long-term time series of key variables being built. Although IMOS was established under an Australian government research infrastructure program to deliver ocean observations to marine and climate scientists, its open-data approach has translated into broader use of data streams including for operational uses and applications. IMOS has applied a “data-centric” definition of research infrastructure, which has enabled it to invest in the full cost of infrastructure all the way to the delivery of quality controlled data. This decision to dedicate funding for data management and integration together with its open-data policy resulted in IMOS establishing itself as a “need-driven” national capability with great relevance and impact. Early establishment of best practices in data management and partnering with the ocean and coastal modeling community ensured data uptake and use. However, some issues that need resolving still remain, and larger investment for data quality control at whole-of-program level is clearly paramount. As IMOS heads toward its second decade, it is a good opportunity to tackle this issue.