Our Data: Policies & Procedures
The Archive for Marine Species and Habitats Data (DASSH) is part of the UK's network of marine data archive centres, working closely with the UK IODE National Oceanographic Data Centre and other key partners. DASSH works in collaboration with, and is accredited by, the Marine Environmental Data and Information Network (MEDIN) and is a key data provider for the UK National Biodiversity Network. DASSH aims to safeguard marine biological data (past and future) and associated parameters and to make that data available as a national information resource to support marine science and better stewardship of the marine environment. DASSH is run by staff at the Marine Biological Association, Plymouth.
Data Policy
The DASSH Data Policy outlines its role in archiving, curating, and publishing marine biological data to support research and environmental stewardship.
Data is collected from various sources, undergoes quality assurance, and is made accessible, often free of charge, under licenses like Open Government License (OGL) and Creative Commons (CC). Restrictions apply for sensitive, personal, or unpublished data. Physical and digital archives are maintained, and metadata is shared with national and global aggregators.
Data Management procedures
Summarising how data is archived, secured and disseminated.
Materials, including electronic and physical data, are stored securely, with backups and metadata shared via portals like MEDIN. Quality assurance ensures accuracy and completeness during archiving and web dissemination. The site offers public access to optimized data and images, adhering to rigorous QA protocols. Physical archiving is reviewed case-by-case, and digitization is dependent on funding.
Terms and Conditions
The rules and guidelines for users accessing the services provided by DASSH.
DASSH Terms and Conditions highlight data copyright, require attribution to original sources, and restrict non-commercial use without permission. Users are responsible for verifying data accuracy and ensuring secure access to resources. Liability is limited, and usage must comply with applicable laws.
