The data you intend to download are subject to the MarBEF data policy. You have to accept this policy in order to use the data.
The first guiding principle within the MarBEF network is the principle of free and
open access to data in a partnership approach. This is in line with data policy of
other major organisations like the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC),
with the Conference statement of the Ocean Biodiversity Informatics conference held in
Hamburg, 29/11-1/12/2004, and with Paragraph II.34 of Annex II- General Conditions of the MarBEF contract.
A second guiding principle is that the scientist or team generating the data should
have an opportunity to have first publication of the data, and analysis based on
them. This will normally imply a moratorium period, in which the data provider or
data steward will have privileged or exclusive access to the data. The start of
the moratorium period is the time that data became available, not when the samples
were taken. The moratorium period is two years for scientific data, but can be
longer for long time series
Data provider�s policy overrides MarBEF data policy. MarBEF does not claim
ownership of the data; ownership remains with the participating
institutes/organisations.
In order to minimise probability of data loss, MarBEF partners are urged to submit
datasets (electronic and paper) for archiving in a recognised data centre for
long-term preservation of the dataset as soon as data become available. Archiving
does not imply immediate redistribution. No archived dataset will leave
the repository unless a specific permission is provided by the data provider.
Data submitted for archiving will not be edited or quality controlled by the data
centre, except for checks on the formal consistency of data (e.g. db and/or file
integrity). All archived datasets have to be documented properly, and documentation
archived together with the dataset. Also contextual data (physical oceanography,
meteorology...) should be archived together with the primary (biodiversity)
data.
Metadata will always be freely accessible, without restrictions. Archiving will
usually result in the creation of a metadata record, which will be made available,
i.e. online through the MarBEF metadata search screens. Metadata will include
taxonomic, geographic and temporal scope, data ownership/stewardship and conditions
of access, and a description of �fitness for use� of the data. A format for
metadata, compatible with international standards for taxonomic and georeferenced
datasets, will be made available.
All the sources of data in the MarBEF databases available on line will be
acknowledged, at the level of the individual record in the MarBEF database.
If the data source for MarBEF is in itself a data compilation, preference will be
given to a data source as close as possible to the data originator to be listed as
data source in MarBEF. A statement of �proper use� for data available through the
MarBEF website will be posted; visitors to the website will be requested to confirm
that they have read and agree with the proper use statement before they are given
access to the data. The proper use statement will require the MarBEF databases to
be cited in papers that make use of data harvested through the MarBEF website, and
to cite individual datasets constituting the MarBEF databases in case these
individual datasets form an essential part of the data used in the
publication.
This data policy may be revised as required, in collaboration with the MarBEF
partners and data contributors.