A history of data management at ICES (1902–2025)

Data are essential for assessing the state of seas and oceans as well as for providing feedback on the effects of conservation and management measures. The management of marine data (including its submission, collation, storage, publication, and preservation) has been a key interest of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES), since its foundation. This paper tells the story of ICES data management throughout the period 1902–2025—this includes changes and development in some key topics such as data collection platforms and techniques; data groups and data governance within ICES; metadata and data standards; data storage and distribution; and data rescue. The changes in data management are analysed through the lens of the five V’s: volume, variety, velocity, veracity, and value. It shows that the volume and variety have increased significantly, and some aspects of the velocity have increased. Checks of data veracity have become more automated, transparent, and documented over time. ICES data have always been of value to its users but the number of secondary uses of the data have also increased. It also demonstrates that ICES data more clearly reflects the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles over time. It discusses how ICES is approaching the ongoing challenges and opportunities of the 21st century in the spirit of international cooperation and collaboration.