REVIEW OF USER REQUIREMENTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO GEBCO PRODUCTS |
Introduction and Guidance
The IHO-IOC General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) project is a joint project of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and the IOC. Its aim is to provide the most authoritative public domain global reference bathymetric dataset, based on all available information provided through the interest, participation, support and effort of scientists, institutes, research centers, individuals, industry and national Hydrographic Services who provide data and expertise to the program at no cost in the interest of science, safety and the environment. More information on the GEBCO governance and activities can be found at https://www.gebco.net/
GEBCO provides global bathymetric data, which is crucial for understanding the topography of the ocean floor. This information is essential for various oceanographic studies, including marine geology, ocean circulation patterns, and habitat mapping, amongst a few. The IOC relies on accurate bathymetric data to support its scientific and research activities. In return, many ocean observation and research activities conducted under the IOC have the benefit to increase bathymetric data collection and enrich the GEBCO products and services. This collaboration helps advance scientific understanding, promote sustainable ocean management, and address challenges related to the marine environment.
The purpose of this questionnaire is to inform the work of the IOC Working Group established through EC-XLIX, Dec. 4.4, tasked with the assessment of user requirements to GEBCO products, from the IOC perspective, and identify ways to strengthen potential IOC contributions to GEBCO data and products from the oceanographic community, and broader maritime end-users perspective. The Working Group will present its findings to the 57nd Session of the IOC Executive Council in June 2024. The report and any decision that the IOC Executive Council may take, will be forwarded to the IHO and GEBCO Guiding Committee, and will inform the future work of GEBCO.
The recipients of the questionnaire are Member States representatives and experts, as well as officers of /experts nominated by relevant IOC technical and regional subsidiary bodies and GOOS Regional Alliances. Using the network of the Nippon Foundation-GEBCO-Seabed 2030 project, the Survey will also be disseminated with a wider group of ocean stakeholders including industry and civil society organizations.
Kindly provide your inputs by 15 April 2024 through this SurveyMonkey document. It is estimated that 25 min is required to fill all questions. Please note that depending on the respondent’s position (e.g. representing MS, IOC program designated expert, institutional) some of the questions may be more relevant to your own institutional background. We invite you to respond in the broadest context of your capacity and knowledge. We thank you for your valuable inputs to this process. In case of questions, please contact the IOC Secretariat (j.barbiere@unesco.org).
[ The Survey questions can be downloaded in pdf form by clicking here]
Privacy Notice
Any personal data provided as part of this survey responses may be used and cited in the products UNESCO will publish, although there is no intent to publish individual answers of the Survey on this occasion.
You may revoke your consent for the use of this data by providing written notice. You also have a right to access and request correction of any personal data held by the Organization. You may exercise your rights in connection with this statement by contacting ioc.secretariat@unesco.org.