About us
Our Vision
Continuous, high-quality ocean time series data that deepens our understanding of ocean variability, drives advances in Earth system science, and supports sustainable stewardship of the ocean is accessible and shared.
Our Mission
To achieve our vision, OceanSITES is dedicated to the global collection, open sharing, and promotion of long-term, high-frequency, multidisciplinary observations of known quality from fixed open-ocean observatories. By providing access to comprehensive time series data from the seafloor to the atmosphere, we support scientific research, improve ocean and climate models, enhance remote sensing calibration, and enable informed decision-making on the state and future of the ocean.
Our Network
Σ TIME SERIES
OBSERVATIONS
OceanSITES (Ocean Sustained Interdisciplinary Timeseries Environment observation System) is a global network of long-term, open-ocean reference stations that measure dozens of variables from the sea surface to the seafloor. The observatories under the OceanSITES umbrella are operated by nations at key locations of interest. They are automated systems use advanced sensors and telecommunications to collect high-resolution, often real-time data.
OceanSITES is recognized as the global coordination group for open ocean time series observations by the Global Ocean and Climate Observing Systems (GOOS and GCOS). Being a full member of the Observation Coordination Group (OCG) of
GOOS we complement satellite and in-situ networks like OceanGLIDERS, GO-SHIP, Argo, SOT or GLOSS, expanding ocean monitoring across time, depth, and variables.
Today, OceanSITES unites experts from over 20 countries operating around 60 surface moorings, 200 subsurface moorings, and a few ship-based sites. Together, they provide open, high-quality time series data to advance understanding of the oceans and their role in Earth’s climate.
Goals
DELIVERING RELIABLE
OCEAN DATA
OceanSITES stations measure dozens of variables from the air/sea/ice interface to the seafloor, creating trusted records that support research worldwide.
• We make our data open, standardized, and easy to use.
• Our observations reveal how the ocean changes over time, from daily variations to long-term trends.
• We help set global standards for ocean data quality and management.
CONNECTING A
GLOBAL NETWORK
OceanSITES brings together scientists, engineers, and institutions from more than 20 countries to sustain a global network of open-ocean reference stations.
• Partners share expertise, technology, and best practices.
• New collaborators are encouraged to join and operate long-term deep-ocean sites.
• Together, we build multidisciplinary platforms that expand what’s possible in ocean science.
DEEPENING UNDERSTANDING
OF OUR CHANGING OCEAN
By linking OceanSITES data with satellites, models, and other observing systems, we gain a clearer picture of how the ocean affects climate, biodiversity, and human life.
• Our open data and research collaborations fuel discoveries and innovation.
• We share knowledge through our website, community meetings, and scientific outreach.
Our Story
1949
STATION PAPA BEGINS LONG-
TERM OCEAN OBSERVATION
One of the oldest sustained ocean records comes from Station PAPA in the North Pacific, operating for over 75 years and paving the way for modern ocean monitoring.
1980–1990s
RISE OF MODERN LONG-TERM
OCEAN OBSERVATORIES
In the 1980s and 1990s, new long-term observatories such as the TAO array in the tropical Pacific and the PAP site in the North Atlantic marked a growing global commitment to sustained ocean observation
1999
COORDINATED TIME-SERIES
NETWORK
The idea for a coordinated, worldwide time-series network took shape at the 1999 International Conference on Ocean Observing Systems in France, where scientists envisioned a global system of fixed “Eulerian observatories.” This vision led to the creation of the Global Eulerian Observatory (GEO).
2003
OCEANSITES NETWORK
The GEO evolved into OceanSITES in 2003 — the Ocean Sustained Interdisciplinary Timeseries Environment observation System.
2011
DEEP-OCEAN OBSERVATIONS
Initially part of the Data Buoy Cooperation Panel under JCOMMOPS, OceanSITES later expanded its mission to include deep-ocean time series of temperature and salinity, launched in 2011 to improve understanding of deep-sea processes and climate models.
2016
INDEPENDENT GLOBAL
PROJECT
By 2016, OceanSITES became an independent project.
Today
GLOBAL OCEAN OBSERVING
SYSTEM
Today, OceanSITES is a key component of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), delivering multidisciplinary, high-frequency data from the ocean surface to the seafloor, helping the world track and understand a changing ocean and climate.
Governance and Organization
OceanSITES is a collaborative network of sustained open-ocean time series observatories. Our objectives include fostering the collection, wide dissemination and re-use of long time-series data of known quality for supporting trusted science for society. Internally, the organizational structure of OceanSITES comprises a Steering Committee (SC) and a Data Management Team (DMT), led and represented by an Executive Committee (EC) and Chairs.
As a collaborative network, participation in the OceanSITES bodies is voluntary and without compensation, and the supporting functionality of OceanSITES global data assembly centers have been provided by organizations involved in OceanSITES. OceanSITES does not directly fund installation or maintenance of time series nor platform installation or upkeep.
Externally, OceanSITES is a network within the Observation Coordination Group (OCG) of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), alongside other major global observation networks such as Argo, GO-SHIP, OceanGliders, and DBCP.
This way we contribute to optimizing a system of sustained and coordinated subsystems that is addressing ocean observing “global commons”.