Unifying global ocean data: an urgent call and roadmap

Abstract. The ocean faces escalating stress from warming, acidification, deoxygenation, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Robust ocean data are indispensable for advancing fundamental research and for generating the actionable knowledge urgently needed for society to navigate a changing planet. We have entered a new era in which scientific progress and critical societal decisions hinge on our capacity to integrate and synthesize data across institutions, national borders, observation platforms, and disciplines. Yet the global ocean data landscape remains deeply fragmented, constrained by institutional silos, inconsistent standards, and outdated policies. Here, we introduce a modernized framework for global ocean data management built on four foundational pillars: policy-driven integration, unified direction through alignment with scientific needs, sustainable long-term stewardship, and rigorous version control. Realizing this vision will require coordinated action on three fronts: (a) reforms to remove policy barriers to data sharing; (b) sustained engagement with the scientific community to develop research-aligned metadata schemas, controlled vocabularies, and data standards; and (c) long-term investment in globally integrated, interoperable data infrastructure. Together, these efforts will enable seamless global data integration, open new horizons in ocean science, and strengthen economic resilience for present and future generations.