The Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON) is a thematic node of the Group on Earth Observations Biodiversity Observation Network (GEO BON). MBON is a global collaborative initiative that contributes to the effective management of marine biodiversity and ecosystem services.
Mission
Foster and coordinate a global community of practice for collecting, curating, analyzing, good management, and communicating marine biodiversity data and related services to the scientific community, policymakers, the public, and other stakeholders.
Vision
MBON envisions that observations of marine biodiversity, from local to global scales, become an integral part of observing systems to strengthen the understanding of marine biodiversity and monitoring of associated changes over time, to inform society for sustainable development and conservation priorities.
Goals:
- Develop a common framework for high priority observations in the context of Essential Ocean Variables;
- Promote best practice (OBPs) in observations, data management, and applications to advance interoperability and data integration (DarwinCore), and publication of data in open-access databases (OBIS);
- Promote the publication of observations and development of products that inform policies, ocean uses, and research;
- Facilitate capacity building;
- Serve and work with the ocean science community and resource management practitioners to achieve their goals, expand their international contacts, and support the implementation of biodiversity observations to address local societal needs;
- Coordinate membership through networking, communication efforts, and other facilitation services;
- Foster the development of international and thematic networks within MBON;
- Develop marine biodiversity observing and applications strategies that are coordinated and consistent with fresh water and terrestrial ecologists.
Guiding Principles:
MBON agenda is aligned with key international agreements and guidelines for evaluating changes in ocean biodiversity for sustainable development:- The United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda
for Sustainable Development;
- UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development;
- Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD);
- Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) global assessments;
- GEO BON;
- Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC).
Ethics **and Values**
As a global network that strives to contribute to a sustainable world where people unite and take action to create change, **MBON** values diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in the treatment and relationships between people. **MBON** celebrates the contributions of people regardless of their age, ethnicity, race, color, religion, socioeconomic status, culture, sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity. We, the **MBON** members, are international and strive to nurture a global community. We strive for the finest science, open knowledge, respect for each other, and the generation of FAIR data about life in the sea. We collaborate and communicate the value of preserving marine biodiversity, valuing knowledge, and informing action.
MBON **Co-Chairs**
University of South Florida, USA
Frank Muller-Karger
University of Porto, Portugal
Isabel Sousa Pinto
Hokkaido University, Japan
Masahiro Nakaoka
MBON **Steering Committee**
**David Obura** Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN) Coastal Oceans Research and Development – Indian Ocean (CORDIO) East Africa, Kenya
**Gabrielle Canonico** Global Ocean Observing System Biology Biology-Ecology panel (GOOS BioEco panel). National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Silver Spring, MD, USA
**Enrique Montes** America Pole to Pole National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Florida, USA
**Ward Appeltans** Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS) Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO-IOC), Belgium
**Emmett Duffy** Marine Global Earth Observatory (marineGeo) Smithsonian Institution, USA
**Amanda Bates** University of Victoria, Canada
**Joana Soares** Executive Secretary AIR Centre, Azores, Portugal
**Mark Costello** Nord University, Norway
Strategic and **Implementation Plan**
The **MBON Strategic and Implementation Plan** reflects the ocean observing community engagement to deliver a common vision, stronger statement, and steady partnership to achieve a sustained global ocean observations and data management system.
MBON **CODE OF CONDUCT**
Values and principles regarding how we should work with others, engage with society, and how our work and methods impact life and nature.