The Integrated Marine Debris Observing Systems : Global monitoring to support research and decision making

Initiated during the OceanObs’19 Conference, where scientists highlighted the need for advancing a harmonized approach to marine debris monitoring, the Integrated Marine Debris Observing System (IMDOS) aims to support the development of a global interoperable marine debris monitoring system. The need for comprehensive and coordinated monitoring is more relevant than ever today in the context of the Global Plastic Treaty. Thus, the implementation of IMDOS will benefit not only the research community, but also policy- and decision-makers and the private sector.  

As a coordination body, IMDOS mission is to provide guidance to lead the marine debris community in establishing a sustained global observing system covering the global Ocean Observation value chain. The observing system encompasses three complimentary approaches that inform one another: in situ observations, remote sensing and numerical modelling, but also covers different ocean ecosystems: from the sea surface, coasts to open ocean, and down to the deep seafloor. IMDOS also promotes the integration of a range of observing elements, from citizen science initiatives to advanced technological tools, endorsing the use of state-of-the-art techniques throughout the monitoring process. 

IMDOS’ vision entails harmonising existing framework guidelines towards globally recognized standards, ensuring robust and sustainable monitoring of marine debris. By doing so, future efforts will generate adequate, FAIR (Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reuse), and open data to fill knowledge gaps and to address diverse stakeholder needs with actionable information.  

IMDOS is organized in 11 Task Teams, clustered into Thematic Data, Technical Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement. A Call for Participation to join the network was launched in July 2024 and generated about 100 answers. Following that Call, members of the Steering Committee were appointed and tasked, at their first meeting, to elaborate the functioning of the Task Teams. The One Ocean Science Congress will be the occasion to present IMDOS activities and foster global coordination.