Submit your data

The National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC) is part of the International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE) network of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and in this context the mission of a NODC is “to provide access and stewardship for the national resource of oceanographic and marine data. This effort requires the gathering, quality control, processing, summarization, dissemination, and preservation of data generated by national and international agencies". [1].

To fulfill this mission, the General Maritime Directorate (DIMAR), in charge of Colombia NODC since 1974, has the capacity to receive and manage oceanographic and marine data, applying international standards and good practices. Additionally, its Research Institutes (CCCP and CIOH), the Network for Measurement of Oceanographic and Marine Meteorology Parameters (REDMPOMM), the Maritime Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) of Colombia, and other Dimar agencies, submit to Cecoldo the oceanographic data and geographical metadata of their initiatives and projects, in accordance with Colombian Maritime Regulations (REMAC) in relation to the "DIMAR´s access, exchange and use policy of technical and scientific data".

In 2023 we will formally begin receiving data from other institutions, people and organizations that voluntarily wish to share their research data, especially considering the National Development Plan 2022-2026, that promotes the democratization of science through access to scientific research data financed with public resources (Article 171 of Law 2294 of 2023).

We strive to integrate the data into a set of primary, normalized, and documented data, guaranteeing as far as possible the application of the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) principles and the long-term conservation of the data and information associated.

Submission guidelines

The guidelines for submit data aim to validate the type of data and agree on its delivery by applying the procedure, standards, file formats and information associated to guarantee its long-term usefulness. Among them is the "Oceanographic and marine data standardization guide" (available in spanish).

Don't be discouraged! Please contact us to send us your research data, even if you decide that part of them will not be available in open access during a proprietary period*. We understand that there are many reasons why the specified standards are not fully met, and that there are access restrictions because the studies have not been completed or their research results published, but we can plan the delivery and ensure that your project contributes with open science.

For projects with a Data Management Plan (DMP) and deposit agreement, please contact the data administrator at cecoldo@dimar.mil.co indicating the name of the initiative.

For any other data submission, contact at the email cecoldo@dimar.mil.co requesting to receive the forms, guides, and instructions.

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* Proprietary period. Funding entities or projects may have specific rules on publishing research data; In this sense, Colombia NODC will accept these guidelines. In line with good international practice, we invite that the data be released in open access within two years of its generation or at the time of publication of research results or completion of a student's thesis (whichever occurs first).

[1] Guide for Establishing an IODE National Oceanographic Data Centre, IODE Associate Data Unit or IODE Associate Information Unit (3rd revised edition). IOC Manuals and Guides No. 5 rev.3 - 2022. https://oceanexpert.org/document/30863