Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge and Ocean Observing: A Review of Successful Partnerships

Understanding and management of the marine environment requires respect for, and inclusion of, Indigenous knowledge, cultures, and traditional practices. The Aha Honua, an ocean observing declaration from Coastal Indigenous Peoples, calls on the ocean observing community to “formally recognize the traditional knowledge of Indigenous peoples,” and “to learn and respect each other’s ways of knowing.” Ocean observing systems typically adopt open data sharing as a core principle, often requiring that data be Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR). Without modification, this approach to Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) would mean disregarding historical and ongoing injustices and imbalances in power, and information management principles designed to address these wrongs. TEK from global ocean observing is not equitable or desirable. Ocean observing systems tend to align with settler geography, but their chosen regions often include Indigenous coastal-dwelling communities that have acted as caretakers and stewards of the land and ocean for thousands of years. Achieving the call of Aha Honua will require building relationships that recognize Indigenous peoples play a special role in the area of ocean stewardship, care, and understanding. This review examines the current understanding of how Indigenous TEK can be successfully coordinated or utilized alongside western scientific systems, specifically the potential coordination of TEK with ocean observing systems. We identify relevant methods and collaborative projects, including cases where TEK has been collected, digitized and the meta(data) has been made open under some or all the FAIR principles. This review also highlights enabling factors that notably contribute to successful outcomes in digitization, and mitigation measures to avoid the decontextualization of TEK. Recommendations are primarily value- and process-based, rather than action-based, and acknowledge the key limitation that this review is based on extant written knowledge. In cases where examples are provided, or local context is necessary to be concrete, we refer to a motivating example of the nascent Atlantic Regional Association of the Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System and their desire to build relationships with Indigenous communities.

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Consistency of the current global ocean observing systems from an Argo perspective

Ocean Science ◽

10.5194/os-10-547-2014 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 547-557 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

K. von Schuckmann ◽

J.-B. Sallée ◽

D. Chambers ◽

P.-Y. Le Traon ◽

C. Cabanes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sea Level ◽

Heat Content ◽

Deep Ocean ◽

Global Ocean ◽

Regional Variability ◽

Tropical Ocean ◽

Steric Sea Level ◽

Ocean Observing ◽

Ocean Observing Systems ◽

Observing Systems

Abstract. Variations in the world's ocean heat storage and its associated volume changes are a key factor to gauge global warming and to assess the earth's energy and sea level budget. Estimating global ocean heat content (GOHC) and global steric sea level (GSSL) with temperature/salinity data from the Argo network reveals a positive change of 0.5 ± 0.1 W m−2 (applied to the surface area of the ocean) and 0.5 ± 0.1 mm year−1 during the years 2005 to 2012, averaged between 60° S and 60° N and the 10–1500 m depth layer. In this study, we present an intercomparison of three global ocean observing systems: the Argo network, satellite gravimetry from GRACE and satellite altimetry. Their consistency is investigated from an Argo perspective at global and regional scales during the period 2005–2010. Although we can close the recent global ocean sea level budget within uncertainties, sampling inconsistencies need to be corrected for an accurate global budget due to systematic biases in GOHC and GSSL in the Tropical Ocean. Our findings show that the area around the Tropical Asian Archipelago (TAA) is important to closing the global sea level budget on interannual to decadal timescales, pointing out that the steric estimate from Argo is biased low, as the current mapping methods are insufficient to recover the steric signal in the TAA region. Both the large regional variability and the uncertainties in the current observing system prevent us from extracting indirect information regarding deep-ocean changes. This emphasizes the importance of continuing sustained effort in measuring the deep ocean from ship platforms and by beginning a much needed automated deep-Argo network.

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Protecting Intellectual Property Rights and Traditional Ecological Knowledge: A Critical Look at Peru's Law 27811

Human Organization ◽

10.17730/0018-7259.79.1.69 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (1) ◽

pp. 69-79

Author(s):

Michelle Hak Hepburn

Keyword(s):

Intellectual Property ◽

Property Rights ◽

Intellectual Property Rights ◽

Indigenous Peoples ◽

Traditional Ecological Knowledge ◽

Indigenous Communities ◽

Ecological Knowledge ◽

History Of ◽

Protecting Intellectual Property ◽

San Martín

The Peruvian government's Law N. 27811, an intellectual property law passed in 2002 and designed to register and protect traditional knowledge, provides productive opportunities for critical analysis. Framed within the trajectory of international intellectual property rights and discussions that complicate the integration of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) into Cartesian scientific frameworks, this paper critically examines how the Peruvian law has been implemented and its impacts in Indigenous communities, particularly in the Andean Amazon region. The analysis is based on the author's work assisting Indigenous communities in San Martin register their knowledge through this law. While the law represents an advanced legal attempt to address power inequalities, it remains problematic. It does not address the impoverishment of Indigenous Peoples and continues to subordinate Indigenous TEK to Cartesian science. Although it is a symbolic recognition of the value of Peruvian Indigenous Peoples, other mechanisms are still required to redress the long history of colonization and racism.

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Development of a Coastal Ocean Observing System for the Gulf of Mexico

Marine Technology Society Journal ◽

10.4031/002533206787353250 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 40 (4) ◽

pp. 100-109 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ann E. Jochens ◽

Worth D. Nowlin

Keyword(s):

Gulf Of Mexico ◽

Storm Surge ◽

Coastal Ocean ◽

Global Ocean ◽

Full Potential ◽

Emergency Managers ◽

Wide Range ◽

Ocean Observing ◽

Ocean Observing Systems ◽

Observing Systems

The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS) is being developed as one of the regional coastal ocean observing systems under the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), which is a contribution to the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). GCOOS will be a sustained ocean observing system that provides data, information, and products on marine and estuarine systems to a wide range of users. A GCOOS Regional Association (GCOOS-RA) has been established to develop GCOOS. Activities to build GCOOS have included development of an inventory of extant observing systems, connection of real-time physical data from extant systems into the National Data Buoy Center via the Internet, and establishment and implementation of mechanisms for ongoing identification of (1) stakeholder requirements and priorities and (2) priority pilot projects to meet regional needs. A storm surge and inundation workshop is being held to identify the measurements and products needed by emergency managers and responders to better predict and mitigate effects of storm surge and inundation in the southeastern U.S. and Gulf of Mexico. Funding for enhancements to the GCOOS is being sought from governmental and private sources. For GCOOS to evolve to its full potential, new federal resources targeted to regional coastal ocean observing systems must be committed.

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Integrated Ocean Observing Systems as a source of scientific information for supporting oil spill response – From Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of Guinea

International Oil Spill Conference Proceedings ◽

10.7901/2169-3358-2017.1.291 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 (1) ◽

pp. 291-310

Author(s):

Babatunde Anifowose ◽

CJ Beegle-Krause ◽

Zdenka Willis ◽

Josie Quintrell ◽

Idris Musa

Keyword(s):

Gulf Of Mexico ◽

Oil Spill ◽

The United States ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Global Ocean ◽

Gulf Of Guinea ◽

Oil Spill Response ◽

Ocean Observing ◽

Ocean Observing Systems ◽

Observing Systems

ABSTRACT As of 2013, the Gulf of Guinea produces about 5.5 million barrels of oil per day – more than 60% of the total daily crude oil production in sub-Saharan Africa. Potential oil spills and their impact on the environment and the economy are of concern. As was seen in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010, information from the United States Integrated Ocean Observing Systems (IOOS®) was key in the response. A robust IOOS-like system in the Gulf of Guinea could support oil spill response and enhance the existing Global Ocean Observing System for Africa (GOOS for Africa). There is great potential within the Gulf of Guinea for regional stakeholder resources to coordinate systematic metocean and coastal data, and share these data across the West, Central and Southern African countries. Through such coordinated efforts, the society benefits from the development of a “blue economy” and from improved disaster response more than from individual observations. Drawing from the examples in the Gulf of Mexico, the paper integrates the lessons from IOOS types of assets into useful response efforts for the Gulf of Guinea area. Responders, decision makers, scientists and the public all benefit from improved access to environmental information and forecasts. We include a “mock up” of how an IOOS asset would support scientific spill response in the Gulf of Guinea.

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Towards the integration of animal‐borne instruments into global ocean observing systems

Global Change Biology ◽

10.1111/gcb.14902 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 26 (2) ◽

pp. 586-596 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

David March ◽

Lars Boehme ◽

Joaquín Tintoré ◽

Pedro Joaquín Vélez‐Belchi ◽

Brendan J. Godley

Keyword(s):

Global Ocean ◽

Ocean Observing ◽

Ocean Observing Systems ◽

Observing Systems

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Monitoring ocean heat content from the current generation of global ocean observing systems

Ocean Science Discussions ◽

10.5194/osd-10-923-2013 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 923-949 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

K. von Schuckmann ◽

J.-B. Sallée ◽

D. Chambers ◽

P.-Y. Le Traon ◽

C. Cabanes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Sea Level ◽

Heat Content ◽

Deep Ocean ◽

Sea Level Change ◽

Global Ocean ◽

Level Change ◽

Global Sea Level ◽

Ocean Observing ◽

Ocean Observing Systems ◽

Observing Systems

Abstract. Variations in the world's ocean heat storage and its associated volume changes are a key factor to gauge global warming and to assess the Earth's energy budget. It is also directly link to sea level change, which has a direct impact on coastal populations. Understanding and monitoring heat and sea level change is therefore one of the major legacies of current global ocean observing systems. In this study, we present an inter-comparison of the three of these global ocean observing systems: the ocean temperature/salinity network Argo, the gravimeter GRACE and the satellite altimeters. Their consistency is investigated at global and regional scale during the period 2005–2010 of overlapping time window of re-qualified data. These three datasets allow closing the recent global ocean sea level budget within uncertainties. However, sampling inconsistencies need to be corrected for an accurate budget at global scale. The Argo network allows estimating global ocean heat content and global sea level and reveals a positive change of 0.5 ± 0.1W m−2 and 0.5 ± 0.1 mm yr−1 over the last 8 yr (2005–2012). Regional inter-comparison of the global observing systems highlights the importance of specific ocean basins for the global estimates. Specifically, the Indonesian Archipelago appears as a key region for the global ocean variability. Both the large regional variability and the uncertainties in the current observing systems, prevent us to shed light, from the global sea level perspective, on the climatically important deep ocean changes. This emphasises, once more, the importance of continuing sustained effort in measuring the deep ocean from ship platforms and by setting up a much needed automated deep-Argo network.

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Building Ocean Collaborations

Marine Technology Society Journal ◽

10.4031/mtsj.55.3.37 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 55 (3) ◽

pp. 98-99

Author(s):

Nicholas Rome ◽

VADM Jon White (ret.)

Keyword(s):

Collective Impact ◽

Global Ocean ◽

Science And Policy ◽

International Partnerships ◽

The Public ◽

Ocean Observations ◽

Ocean Observing ◽

Ocean Observing Systems ◽

Observing Systems

Abstract Communicating the value of sustained ocean observing systems is urgent and necessary for their implementation, continuity, and expansion; and relies on effective dialogue among users at all levels to build support from policymakers and the public. This Ocean-Shot will build on the outcomes of OceanObs'19 and specifically work to realize the vision articulated in “The Challenge of Sustaining Ocean Observations” (Weller, 2019) and subsequent workshops hosted by the National Academies (2020). It will engage academia, industry, government, and nongovernmental organizations involved with global ocean observing and determine how to improve pathways to policymakers, stakeholders, and the public over the UN Ocean Decade. Key outcomes will include (1) broader understanding of how existing ocean observing science and policy areas intersect nationally and internationally, (2) identification of opportunities to build global support for ocean observing through cross-sector and international partnerships, and (3) determination of actions that the ocean observing community should take to develop a collective impact organization, the Ocean Partnership for Sustained Observations.

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Open Data, Collaborative Working Platforms, and Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Building an Early Career Scientist Community of Practice to Leverage Ocean Observatories Initiative Data to Address Critical Questions in Marine Science

Frontiers in Marine Science ◽

10.3389/fmars.2020.593512 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 ◽

Author(s):

Robert M. Levine ◽

Kristen E. Fogaren ◽

Johna E. Rudzin ◽

Christopher J. Russoniello ◽

Dax C. Soule ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Column ◽

Community Of Practice ◽

Early Career ◽

Global Ocean ◽

Field Equipment ◽

Observatory Data ◽

Interdisciplinary Approaches ◽

Ocean Observing ◽

Ocean Observing Systems ◽

Observing Systems

Ocean observing systems are well-recognized as platforms for long-term monitoring of near-shore and remote locations in the global ocean. High-quality observatory data is freely available and accessible to all members of the global oceanographic community—a democratization of data that is particularly useful for early career scientists (ECS), enabling ECS to conduct research independent of traditional funding models or access to laboratory and field equipment. The concurrent collection of distinct data types with relevance for oceanographic disciplines including physics, chemistry, biology, and geology yields a unique incubator for cutting-edge, timely, interdisciplinary research. These data are both an opportunity and an incentive for ECS to develop the computational skills and collaborative relationships necessary to interpret large data sets. Here, we use observatory data to demonstrate the potential for these interdisciplinary approaches by presenting a case study on the water-column response to anomalous atmospheric events (i.e., major storms) on the shelf of the Mid-Atlantic Bight southwest of Cape Cod, United States. Using data from the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) Pioneer Array, we applied a simple data mining method to identify anomalous atmospheric events over a four-year period. Two closely occurring storm events in late 2018 were then selected to explore the dynamics of water-column response using mooring data from across the array. The comprehensive ECS knowledge base and computational skill sets allowed identification of data issues in the OOI data streams and technologically sound characterization of data from multiple sensor packages to broadly characterize ocean-atmosphere interactions. An ECS-driven approach that emphasizes collaborative and interdisciplinary working practices adds significant value to existing datasets and programs such as OOI and has the potential to produce meaningful scientific advances. Future success in utilizing ocean observatory data requires continued investment in ECS education, collaboration, and research; in turn, the ECS community provides feedback, develops knowledge, and builds new tools to enhance the value of ocean observing systems. These findings present an argument for building a community of practice to augment ECS ocean scientist skills and foster collaborations to extend the context, reach, and societal utility of ocean science.

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