diversity, equity, and inclusivity in ocean best practices development

See the OBPS Diversity Equity and Inclusion Statement here.

OBPS Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Statement

The Ocean Best Practices System (OBPS) is a global organization affiliated with the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC-UNESCO) that serves a diverse community of multiple disciplines, geographic regions, and career stages across the entire ocean observing value chain. The OBPS recognises the importance of promoting equity and inclusion within the OBPS and across the diverse ocean research, observing, and application communities. Our aim is that OBPS offers a place to collaborate to ensure that the values, risks, and impacts of ocean observing practices are understood by all stakeholders. We are committed to positive action to improve diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within OBPS, including the representation of communities that traditionally have been underrepresented in ocean observing and resource management.

Vision

An OBPS community, composed of diverse representatives from ocean research, observing, and application communities, collaborating to ensure the value, risks, and impact of ocean practices are holistically understood by all stakeholders.

Mission

The Task Team’s mission is:

  1. To understand levels of underrepresentation of ocean stakeholders in the OBPS community.
  2. To gather and synthesize community practices concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion to guide OBPS activities.
  3. To consider options and recommendations to enable inclusion of perspectives, and increase opportunities for under-represented groups to contribute and document practices.

Picture from an African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme (ACEP) Deep Secrets Cruise, far offshore on the South coast of South Africa. Image Credit, Prof Kerry Sink

The Task Team finished its term in Dec 2021 but continues its work under the umbrella of UN Ocean Decade ECOP Task Team for Diversity Equity and Inclusivity (DEI). The final report of the OBPS Task Team 21-01, can be found HERE

Task Team Co-Chairs

Cora Hoerstmann, Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography MIO, Marseille, France

Jordan Van Stavel, South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON), South Africa

Contact information: tt.dei@oceanbestpractices.org

Students deploying a CTD rosette during the Canyons Connection Cruise in 2019 on the southern east coast of South Africa. Image Credit ACEP

Students maintaining SAEON’s Ski-Monkey (towed-camera system) during a cruise to the Prince Edward Islands in the Southern Ocean. Image Credit: SAEON