We present the first digital seafloor geomorphic features map (GSFM) of the global ocean. The GSFM includes 131,192 separate polygons in 29 geomorphic feature categories, used here to assess differences between passive and active continental margins as well as between 8 major ocean regions (the Arctic, Indian, North Atlantic, North Pacific, South Atlantic, South Pacific and the Southern Oceans and the Mediterranean and Black Seas). The GSFM provides quantitative assessments of differences between passive and active margins: continental shelf width of passive margins (88 km) is nearly three times that of active margins (31 km); the average width of active slopes (36 km) is less than the average width of passive margin slopes (46 km); active margin slopes contain an area of 3.4 million km2 where the gradient exceeds 5°, compared with 1.3 million km2 on passive margin slopes; the continental rise covers 27 million km2 adjacent to passive margins and less than 2.3 million km2 adjacent to active margins. Examples of specific applications of the GSFM are presented to show that: 1) larger rift valley segments are generally associated with slow-spreading rates and smaller rift valley segments are associated with fast spreading; 2) polar submarine canyons are twice the average size of non-polar canyons and abyssal polar regions exhibit lower seafloor roughness than non-polar regions, expressed as spatially extensive fan, rise and abyssal plain sediment deposits – all of which are attributed here to the effects of continental glaciations; and 3) recognition of seamounts as a separate category of feature from ridges results in a lower estimate of seamount number compared with estimates of previous workers. Reference: Harris PT, Macmillan-Lawler M, Rupp J, Baker EK Geomorphology of the oceans. Marine Geology.

Norwegian Download service for INSPIRE Sea Regions.

The study of long-distance migration provides insights into the habits and performance of organisms at the limit of their physical abilities. The Arctic tern Sterna paradisaea is the epitome of such behavior; despite its small size (-lt;125 g), banding recoveries and at-sea surveys suggest that its annual migration from boreal and high Arctic breeding grounds to the Southern Ocean may be the longest seasonal movement of any animal. Our tracking of 11 Arctic terns fitted with miniature (1.4 g) geolocators revealed that these birds do indeed travel huge distances (more than 80,000 km annually for some individuals). As well as confirming the location of the main wintering region, we also identified a previously unknown oceanic stopover area in the North Atlantic used by birds from at least two breeding populations (from Greenland and Iceland). Although birds from the same colony took one of two alternative southbound migration routes following the African or South American coast, all returned on a broadly similar, sigmoidal trajectory, crossing from east to west in the Atlantic in the region of the equatorial Intertropical Convergence Zone. Arctic terns clearly target regions of high marine productivity both as stopover and wintering areas, and exploit prevailing global wind systems to reduce flight costs on long-distance commutes. Purpose: The Arctic tern is known to make the longest annual migration in the animal kingdom. During its breeding season, it is found far to the north where summer days are long, and it winters far south in the southern hemisphere, where the days are longest during November to February. This means that the Arctic tern probably experiences more sun light during a calendar year than any other creature on Earth. The long-distance travel of the Arctic tern is well-known both amongst researchers and in the broader public. Now, for the first time, technological advances allow us to follow the Arctic tern on its immense journey, practically from pole to pole. Supplemental information: Four erroneous points were removed from the original dataset: ARTE_410, 9/17/2007 noon; ARTE_370, 9/13/2007 noon; ARTE_373, 9/15/2007 noon and 9/16/2007 noon. Sand Island (74.263 degrees N, 20.160 degrees W), northeast Greenland, is the breeding colony for these Arctic terns and was placed on the map (red-orange square). Sand Island can be used as the beginning and end of all tracks, but since exact dates of the starting and ending of the migration were not available (high-Arctic zone = continuous day light during summer = poor positions when using geolocators), the tracklines for each animal were not mapped to and from the breeding colony. Original provider: Greenland Institute of Natural Resources Dataset credits: Greenland Institute of Natural Resources

Happywhale.com is a resource to help you know whales as individuals, and to benefit conservation science with rich data about individual whales. Original provider: HappywhaleDataset credits: Happywhale and contributors Supplemental information: Sightings and images were submitted to Happywhale by contributors. A portion of the Happywhale data were transferred to OBIS-SEAMAP upon the agreement between Happywhale and OBIS-SEAMAP. There may be duplicate records among Happywhale datasets and other OBIS-SEAMAP datasets. The precision of date/time vary per record. Some records have date accuracy up to year only. This dataset includes sightings and photos from the following 14 contributors in alphabetic order: Adelie Xiaohang Li; Andrew Thompson; Annette Bombosch; Chris Lewis; Heidi Krajewsky; Hondius; Lauren Farmer; Marilia Olio; MS Otto Sverdrup; MS Spitsbergen; Nick Savic; Patrick Mitchell; Ronny Hogstrom; Tobias Brehm

Happywhale.com is a resource to help you know whales as individuals, and to benefit conservation science with rich data about individual whales. Original provider: Happywhale Dataset credits: Happywhale and contributorsSightings and images were submitted to Happywhale by contributors. A portion of the Happywhale data were transferred to OBIS-SEAMAP upon the agreement between Happywhale and OBIS-SEAMAP. There may be duplicate records among Happywhale datasets and other OBIS-SEAMAP datasets. The precision of date/time vary per record. Some records have date accuracy up to year only. This dataset includes sightings and photos from the following 280 contributors in alphabetic order: adam maire; Adelie Xiaohang Li; Adrian Neubert; Alexandre Lhériau; Alex Sinclair Lack; Alicia; Allan Finney; Allied Whale North Atlantic Humpback Whale Catalog; Allison Chen; Ana; Andrew Newlun; Andrew Stewart; Andy Rose; Angela Bowler; ANGEL SOLE; Anja Robanke; Anke Kugelstadt; Anna Astafurova; Annette Bombosch; AnninaS; Antoine Viot; Audrey Stephens; Austin Wyatt; Avner Chen; Babsi Neubarth; Barbara Anne Brandon; Beatriz Benares; Benoit Nabholz; B. Noordermeer; Bonnie Gretz; Borbala; Boyd Taylor; brad siviour; Calle Schönning; Camilo Rada; Carlos Rincon; Caroline Hodgkiss; Cassandra Ruiz; Cees Tineke; Charles Lavin; Charlotte Taplin; Chris Croxson; Christian Engelke; Christian Thrane; Christoph Fritz; Chrys Tremththanmor; Conor Ryan; Dani Abras; Daniel Stevens; Danilo Foresti; DarrenJew; Dave Matlin; David Bradley; David German; Dennis Boon; Devienne Gilles; Dimitri Vitkin; Dirk van Zandwijk; Dmitrii Kiselev; Domininc Barrington; Doug Gould; Eckhard; Eden Zang; Eivind Aksnes; Elaine Purnell; Elie Vannier; Eliott Lehoux; Elísabet Ýr Guðjónsdóttir; Elke; Ellen Klein; Elodie; emma; Emma Luck; Emma Neave-Webb; Emmanuelle Peyredieu; Enrico Hoefer; Eric Clark; Eric ROURE; Erin Sneider; Eugene Saxentoff; Eyd M. Grønadal; Fabian Schmalzried; Fabio; Familia Sanchez Planell; Fanny; Federico Arribere; Florentine Guinot; françois; Frank J.; Fredrik Broms; Gabriel Lett Viviani; gaidet; Gail Cousins; Garry Bray; Geffen family; Geir Hareide Hansen; Ghada; GordieBryce; Gordon Riddell; Greta Henderson; Hanna Michel; hannes heylen; Hans Verdaat; Harold Moses; Hazel Pittwood; Heidi Krajewsky; Henk Kamstra; Herman Sips; Herve Sibert; Husavik Research Centre; Ian Gordon; Irati Maruri; Isabella Clegg; James F C Hyde IV; Jamie Coleman; Jan Kajzar; Javier Cotin; Javier Solis; Jeff Reynolds; Jenifer; Jérôme JACOB; Jim Wilson; Joe Arceneaux; Joel Moore; John Mina; Jonas Astrup; Jonathan Rempel; joost vaeyens; Josef Wolf; Joy Martinello; Joy van der Beek; Judith Scott; Judit Roch; Julia Jayne; Juliane Schlei; Julia Yr Thorvaldsdottir; Julie Skyte; karen McMullen; Kate Sauvain; Kate Weston; Katrin Schmidt; Kayla Spencer; Ken Jensen; Ken Wells; Kerstin Langenberger; Kevin; Kirsten MacTaggart; Kit Kovacs; Konstantinos Kafritsas; Kurt Methfessel; LAMBIN Jean-Marc; Lars Maltha Rasmussen; Laura; Laurence Fischer; Laurens; Laurie Horsfall; Leendert; Lena Nicola; Lene Zachariassen; Leslie Stueben-Trumphour; Lisa Hildebrand; Loes de Heus; Maëva Accart; Manfred Moormann; Marc Gose; MARC SELLERS; Marcus Bergström; Margrét Ósk Elíasdóttir; Marian Herz; Marijke Nita de Boer; Marika Marnela; Marilia Olio; Marion JONCHERES; Marjolein Meijdam; Mark Harris; Marley Watkins; Martine; Martin Kemper; Mary Keenan; Matt McDermit; Max Schweiger; Menno Schaefer; Michael Scott; Michael Sterling; Michel Pierfitte; Mick Peerdeman; Mona Beate Wendelborg; Mona Wong; Mouser Williams; MS Fram; MS Maud; MS Otto Sverdrup; MS Spitsbergen; Nacho Oria; Nadine Hunziker; Natascha; Niklas Astrom; Nils; NOAA National Marine Mammal Laboratory (NMML); Ocean Missions; Olaf Pignataro; Olivier Blaud; Pascal Mauerhofer; Patrick Ruf; Patrick Scherer; Pat Sanders; Pauline van Monsjou; Paul Soulby; Per Nikolaj Bukh; Per Olsson; Petra Glardon; Petr Petrik; Philippe Jeanty; Pim Wolf; Pupanoid; Queloz; Rachael Barber; Radovan Sutora; Rafael Martins; Raina Burke; Rand Rudland; Rebecca Malkewicz; Richard Allan; Richard Lovelock; Richard Walker; Richard White; Rob Gons; Rodrigo A. Martinez Catalan; Rod White; Romane R; Rosa M. Coronas; Russian Cetacean Habitat Project; Ruud; Sabine Griesser; Sais Céline; Samantha Wormley; Sandra Zijlstra; Sea Fever Productions; Shannon; Shantala Wentink; Sheila Miller; S. Helgu; Siairra Tharp; Simon Smith; Slater T Moore; Sophie Carr; Soyer; Stacey Colebaugh; Steffen G.; Steffen Oehme; Steffo Polar; Stephan Uhlemann; Stephen King; Steve Jones; Steven dos-Remedios; Steve Willetts; Susan Smith; suse; Tanja; Ted Creek; Teresa Blase; Therese Horntrich; Thomas Podesta; Tiffany Fare; Tim Wright; Tobias Brehm; Tobias Paul; Tony Littler; Tressarieu; Tudor Morgan; Ursula Brändle; Vicki Beaver; Virgil Reglioni; Vladimir Burkanov; Whale Wise; Wilfried Schnessl; Wouter Verwee; Years of the North Atlantic Humpback whale (YoNAH); Yuri Choufour; Yves Roumazeilles

Abstract: Acoustic detections of odontocetes from over 30,000km of survey effort from the Arctic, Atlantic, Southern and Indian Oceans, using a streamlined workflow for increasing the speed of acoustic analysis for large datasets utilizing existing modules within PAMGuard. Original provider: Thomas Webber, University of St Andrews Dataset credits: Thomas Webber, University of St Andrews Supplemental information: Each record represents species presence only. Records of "SONAR" were dropped. Survey trackline is provided as a static image online.

This Amphipoda dataset contains three parts: 1. Distribution records collected from literature; 2. Distribution records of specimens collected by the BioICE project (Benthic Invertebrates of Icelandic waters 1992-2004); 3. Distribution records of specimens collected by the IceAGE project (Icelandic marine animals: Genetics and Ecology, since 2011). The IceAGE data are outcome of two Amphipoda identification workshops held in Wilhelmshaven, Germany (2016) and Spala, Polen (2017).

The North Atlantic and Arctic Isopoda dataset contains three parts: 1. Distribution records collected from literature; 2. Distribution records of specimens collected by the BIOICE project (Benthic Invertebrates of Icelandic waters 1992-2004); 3. Distribution records of specimens collected by the IceAGE project (Icelandic marine animals: Genetics and Ecology, since 2011). This dataset contains distribution data regarding the 2nd group, isopods occurrences sampled during the BIOICE project

Happywhale.com is a resource to help you know whales as individuals, and to benefit conservation science with rich data about individual whales. Original provider: Happywhale Dataset credits: Happywhale and contributors Supplemental information: Sightings and images were submitted to Happywhale by contributors. A portion of the Happywhale data were transferred to OBIS-SEAMAP upon the agreement between Happywhale and OBIS-SEAMAP. There may be duplicate records among Happywhale datasets and other OBIS-SEAMAP datasets. The precision of date/time vary per record. Some records have date accuracy up to year only. This dataset includes sightings and photos from the following 9 contributors in alphabetic order: Anna Astafurova; Conor Ryan; Johnny Giese; Kerstin Langenberger; Léa Zinsli; Marian Herz; Mick Peerdeman; Rémi Bigonneau; Victoria Stokes

Cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) data to understand their abundance and distribution ​​​​This portal assembles at-sea effort-related data collected via ship-based or aerial methods, collated under the Joint Cetacean Database Programme (JCDP). The JCDP aims to streamline the process of accessing and utilising these data by collating the existing and forthcoming cetacean evidence base into a single resource. These data have a wide range of applications and have the potential to support analyses at a range of spatial and temporal scales. The JCDP database hosted by ICES stomach content database includes data from aerial and ship-based surveys from the Arctic waters, Greater North Sea, Northeast, Celtic seas and Bay of Biscay. Data from 74 distinct surveys are published here - Cornwall Wildlife Trust Marine Megafauna Ferry surveys~ 2010-2013, SCANS (Small cetaceans in the European Atlantic and North Sea)-94, SCANS-II and SCANS-III- spanning over the years 1994, 2005, 2009-2013 and 2016. The data are organised at an effort level (effort is a specific time interval within a survey, dedicated to the sightings of marine mammals), and sightings of different taxonomic groups are reported as occurrences. 5411 occurrences of marine mammals and a few other species are reported.