The oceanographic in situ data interoperability project (OIIP) — A year in review

Oceanographic applications increasingly rely on the integration of multivariate data from diverse observational platforms, the coupling of remote sensing and field data being integral to analysis workflows. However, the inherent heterogeneity of in situ datasets and their variable adherence to meta/data standards poses a significant impediment to interoperability and long-term data stewardship. Here we introduce the Oceanographic in situ data Interoperability Project, a collaboration between JPL PO.DAAC, UCAR/Unidata and the Large Pelagics Research Center (UMASS-Boston) that aims to address these challenges. It involves the enhancement and integration of available technology components for improved interoperability and support of in situ data with a focus on a representative yet complex class of oceanographic field data: data from electronic tags deployed on a variety of marine species. Beyond this technical development work itself, an innovative part of our project involves collaborating with the electronic tag manufacturer Wildlife Computers and actively engaging tagging community stakeholders to promote the adoption of appropriate data standards. The project thus adopts a model lifecycle approach complimented by broadly applicable technologies to address key data management and interoperability issues for electronic tagging data and other marine in situ datasets. In this paper, we review the motivation, approach and current status of the work, 9 months into the project.