Assessing fair principles, MSFD readiness and governance networks in marine biodiversity data – a Black Sea perspective
Oprea, S.; Bisinicu, E. (2025). Assessing fair principles, MSFD readiness and governance networks in marine biodiversity data – a Black Sea perspective. Cercet. Mar. = Rech. Mar. 55: 74-90. https://dx.doi.org/10.55268/cm.2025.55.74
In: Cercetari Marine = Recherches Marines. Institutul Naţional de Cercetare-Dezvoltare Marină Grigore Antipa: Constanta. ISSN 0250-3069, more
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| Author keywords |
harmonisation, biological data, MSFD, environmental governance, transboundary collaboration |
| Abstract |
The Black Sea, a semi-enclosed basin of high ecological and geopolitical importance, faces mounting pressures from human activities and climate change, requiring robust, interoperable data systems to support biodiversity conservation and sustainable management. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of marine biological data governance across the six coastal states, combining FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) compliance benchmarking, repository participation analysis, MSFD (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) readiness evaluation, and a fuzzy cognitive map (FCM) analysis of governance dynamics. Data from OBIS (Ocean Biogeographic Information System), SeaDataNet, and WISE- Marine were analysed for phytoplankton, zooplankton, and benthos. Romania and Bulgaria, as EU members, demonstrated full FAIR alignment, strong repository integration, consistent reporting under MSFD Descriptors 1 and 6. Türkiye and Ukraine achieved partial compliance, while Georgia and Russia showed minimal alignment. The FCM revealed National Data Management Policy and Funding Stability as primary drivers improving data interoperability, MSFD Readiness Score as the most central component, and Long-term Sustainability as the main receiver. Positive pathways linked metadata standardisation to interoperability and readiness, while policy fragmentation and unstable funding acted as negative influences. The combined approach identifies priority action enhancing repository interoperability, metadata standardisation, and stable funding—to close governance gaps and achieve basin-wide, coordinated marine biodiversity assessments. |
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