Marine megafauna is defined as marine animals over 45 kg in body mass (Estes et al., 2016), and usually includes whales, dolphins, sea turtles, manatees, sharks, rays, and some other predatory fish (Moleón et al., 2020). Sharing and making marine megafauna data available for science and policy can contribute to a better understanding and insights on species’ presence and migration routes. This allows for more sustainable ocean practices through better policy making, ocean management, and planning of ocean operations by either private or public sector organisations. Marine megafauna data are also invaluable for understanding the distribution, population trends, and ecological roles of large marine animals, as well as for informing conservation and management efforts to protect species and their habitats.
This data sharing guideline urges all companies and subcontractors to contribute to the collective understanding of marine ecosystems by sharing both legacy and future marine megafauna data. This collaboration is essential for advancing conservation efforts and fostering sustainable practices in the ocean. The guideline is designed to support marine operators and companies by addressing fundamental questions about sharing marine megafauna data, such as the types of data, where to share data, data quality and ownership considerations.
