From Ocean Observation to Socio-Economic Benefits: Mapping the Value Chains of Open Marine Data

Marine data are essential for advancing ocean science, supporting ocean-based industries, guiding improved governance, and enabling marine spatial management. Yet, in times of constrained public resources, demonstrating the economic value of sustained ocean observing and long-term data access remains challenging.

Most marine data—collected from ocean observing systems and research projects—are publicly funded and freely available through specialized repositories. Investment in these data is substantial, from the costs of ocean data collection to the ongoing curation and accessibility of vast datasets. Most public repositories now follow FAIR and open data principles, removing barriers to access by refraining from tracking user information. While this commitment enhances access, it also leaves knowledge gaps about how marine data are used and valued across society, particularly among emerging user groups and sectors that apply this data in innovative ways.

To address these gaps, the OECD, in collaboration with leading research institutes, marine data repositories and the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), has implemented targeted user surveys of public marine data repositories, adopting an original value chain approach. This initiative aims to quantify and communicate the societal value of marine data, informing policies and enhancing support for data-driven innovation in the ocean economy. By mapping stylized value chains based on diverse user feedback and drawing on four distinct case studies from the United Kingdom, Flanders, Portugal, and South Korea, the OECD has already uncovered insights that repositories typically do not track.

The proposed presentation will highlight original findings that demonstrate how marine data generates societal benefits, how publicly funded repositories support cross-sectoral data reuse beyond the ocean economy, and how sustained ocean observations contribute to informed decision-making. More case studies are planned to deepen these insights, supporting policymakers at national and international levels.

Selected References

Jolly, C., J. Jolliffe, C. Postlethwaite, E. Heslop (2021), “Value chains in public marine data: A UK case study”, OECD Science, Technology and Industry Working Papers, No. 2021/11, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/d8bbdcfa-en.

Jolliffe, J. and K. Aben Athar (2024), “Understanding the contribution of Flanders’ public marine data to society”, OECD Science, Technology and Industry Working Papers, No. 2024/04, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/da9d7b66-en.