OceanTeacher Global Academy

This free training course is suitable for anyone responsible for collecting or managing marine environmental data in the public sector, industry or for education or research. Familiarity with different marine data types, and how data is acquired and used, would be helpful but not essential. Prior knowledge or practical experience of data management is not required. The course can be taken as a whole, or attendees can select modules according to two streams: Governance; Practical MEDIN.

NOTE: This is edition September 2021

This free online training course is suitable for anyone responsible for collecting or managing marine environmental data in the public sector, industry or for education or research. Familiarity with different marine data types, and how data is acquired and used, would be helpful but not essential. Prior knowledge or practical experience of data management is not required. The course can be taken as a whole, or attendees can select modules according to two streams: Governance; Practical MEDIN.

This free online training course is suitable for anyone responsible for collecting or managing marine environmental data in the public sector, industry or for education or research. Familiarity with different marine data types, and how data is acquired and used, would be helpful but not essential. Prior knowledge or practical experience of data management is not required. The course can be taken as a whole, or attendees can select modules according to two streams: Governance; Practical MEDIN.

This course provides an overview and hands on GIS applications pertaining to coastal zone using ArcGIS software. This comprises the data acquisition, processing, analysis and interpretation of spatial data. The applications of this course are aimed at producing inputs useful for the coastal zone management.

Aims and Objectives
•To provide an introduction to GIS for marine applications
•Utilization of open source spatial data
•To provide hands on GIS applications pertaining to the coastal zone

Learning Outcomes
•Knowledge and understanding of GIS, spatial data, raster and vector models
•Core tasks involved in the GIS analysis process including data acquisition, manipulation and analysis, and presentation and output
•Core functionality of ArcMap, Arc Catalogue and Arc Toolbox
•Creating and editing spatial data
•Awareness of coastal GIS data and applications

Summary

This blended training course, titled in Spanish “Monitoreo de la contaminación por microplásticos en aguas costeras: del muestreo y análisis a los datos”, aims to build the capacity of upper secondary school teachers and boat operators in the Comunidad Valenciana to participate in harmonised microplastic monitoring in coastal waters through the Erasmus Maris initiative. 

The course combines online theoretical learning with practical field, laboratory, and data-management training. Participants will learn the full monitoring chain: understanding microplastic pollution in aquatic environments, collecting surface-water samples using a manta net, processing and analysing samples in the laboratory following standard operating procedures, applying quality assurance and quality control principles, managing data and metadata, and uploading validated information to the MARIS database. 

The course is designed to empower teachers to implement microplastic monitoring activities with their students and to contribute to a wider citizen-science and environmental monitoring network. Boat operators will be trained to support safe and harmonised sampling operations at sea. The training includes online lessons and quizzes, practical laboratory work with reference material, boat-based sampling demonstrations, and hands-on use of the MARIS data portal. 

Participants will learn the full monitoring chain: understanding microplastic pollution in aquatic environments, collecting surface-water samples using a manta net, processing and analysing samples in the laboratory following standard operating procedures, applying quality assurance and quality control principles, managing data and metadata, and uploading validated information to the MARIS database.

The course is organised by ASE / Ayam Sailing Europe and the University of Alicante, implemented in the framework of the Erasmus Maris initiative, with the support of the UNESCO IOC OceanTeacher Global Academy (OTGA).

Needs and priorities

Microplastic pollution is a growing environmental concern in coastal and marine environments. Reliable monitoring requires harmonised sampling, analysis, data management, and quality-control procedures. At the same time, effective microplastic monitoring requires data collection over wider geographical areas and repeated time periods, which is difficult to achieve through conventional scientific monitoring alone. Citizen science can help address this gap by expanding monitoring capacity through trained local actors. Schools and teachers are especially relevant in this context: once trained, teachers can support recurring monitoring activities with students, embed ocean literacy and environmental science into education, and contribute harmonised data and metadata to a shared monitoring system. Local maritime actors further strengthen the approach by supporting safe and standardised sampling operations.  

This course responds to the need for practical capacity development in coastal microplastic monitoring in Spain, with a specific focus on the Comunidad Valenciana. The training supports teachers and boat operators to become local actors in a structured monitoring system. By combining scientific protocols with educational implementation, the course strengthens the capacity of schools to contribute to ocean literacy, citizen science, and evidence-based environmental action. 

The course contributes to IOC capacity development priorities by: 

• providing applied training for teachers and local operators; 
• supporting access to standardised scientific methods and digital tools; 
• promoting ocean literacy and environmental education in secondary schools; 
• strengthening local capacity to generate comparable environmental data; 
• supporting the use of harmonised data and metadata systems for future integration with wider marine data infrastructures. 

The course also supports the objectives of the Erasmus Maris initiative by preparing teachers and local partners to collect, analyse, document, and upload microplastic monitoring data following common procedures. 

Format and Duration

This is a blended course combining online self-paced learning with two days of synchronous practical training.

Online component (self-paced)

Lessons and quizzes on microplastic pollution, sampling and analysis methods, standard operating procedures, data management, unique identifiers, and MARIS/EMODnet integration. Approximately 4 hours. Participants may complete the online quizzes during or after the practical training days.

Onsite practical training:

• Day 1 - 22 May 2026, 16:00–20:00 CEST: Laboratory training and MARIS database/data-entry training. Venue: IES LA MAR, Jávea, Spain.
• Day 2 - 23 May 2026, 09:30–13:30 CEST: Manta-net sampling practice, online course/quizzes, and final debriefing. Venues: Club Náutico Dénia and IES Sorts de la Mar, Dénia, Spain.

Total estimated workload: approximately 14 hours (10 hours synchronous + 4 hours asynchronous).

⚠️ Attendance at both practical sessions is mandatory for certification.

Venue

• IES LA MAR, Jávea, Spain - laboratory training
• Club Náutico Dénia, Dénia, Spain - boat-based manta-net sampling
• IES Sorts de la Mar, Dénia, Spain - online quizzes and computer-based work

Language of Instruction: Spanish. The online lessons and quizzes are currently in English; a Spanish translation may be made available before the course.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be able to:

• Explain the main sources, pathways, and environmental relevance of microplastic pollution in aquatic and coastal environments
• Describe how microplastics are distributed in surface waters and sediments, and why harmonised monitoring is needed
• Apply the Erasmus Maris manta-net sampling protocol for surface-water microplastic monitoring
• Record essential sampling metadata including GPS coordinates, environmental conditions, sea state, and sampling duration
• Process microplastic samples in the laboratory following the Erasmus Maris standard operating procedure
• Carry out main laboratory steps: sample preparation, digestion, density separation, filtration, visual counting, and optional Nile Red staining
• Understand the purpose of reference material and QA/QC checks
• Use the MARIS database and data portal to enter monitoring data and metadata in a structured way
• Explain the importance of unique identifiers, standardised formats, and traceability for environmental data management
• Implement Erasmus Maris / M.A.R.I.S. monitoring activities with students and local partners after the course

Course Content

Online

1. Definition of microplastics and distinction between primary and secondary microplastics
2. Microplastics in aquatic environments: transport, distribution, density, and accumulation
3. Pathways through which microplastics enter aquatic environments
4. Sampling and analysis methods for microplastic assessment
5. Standard operating procedures for microplastic analysis
6. Challenges of integrating data from multiple sources
7. Data management approaches: Back-End Consolidation and Front-End Responsibility
8. Unique identifiers and data structure in the MARIS monitoring system
9. Integration of MARIS data into wider marine data systems, including EMODnet

Onsite

• Welcome and group distribution
• Delivery and explanation of sampling protocols
• Boat-based manta-net sampling demonstration and practice
• Recording of sampling metadata and environmental conditions
• Laboratory training and MARIS database/data-entry training
• Introduction to the UNESCO/OTGA online microplastics course and quizzes
• Final debriefing and explanation of next steps for certification and post-course monitoring

Target Audience

The course is primarily designed for upper secondary school teachers from the Comunidad Valenciana, Spain, interested in implementing microplastic monitoring activities with their students. A small group of boat operators supporting sampling activities are also included.

Expected participants: approximately 60 upper secondary school teachers and approximately 4 boat operators.

Basic science background recommended. No advanced laboratory experience required.

Organizers

• ASE / Ayam Sailing Europe
• University of Alicante

Implemented in the framework of the Erasmus Maris initiative, with the support of the UNESCO IOC OceanTeacher Global Academy (OTGA).

Facilitators

• Kamel Labibes - Ayam Sailing Europe (ASE)
• Carlos Sanz Lázaro - University of Alicante
• Raquel Sánchez Romero - University of Alicante
• Alba Benito Kaesbach - University of Alicante
• Antonia Trompeta - ASE / Ayam Sailing Europe, Erasmus Maris Educational Network Coordinator, Valencian Community

Registration, Costs, and Technological Requirements

There are no tuition fees for participants. Travel, accommodation, and any personal costs are the responsibility of participants or their institutions.

Participants need access to:

• A computer or tablet for online lessons and quizzes
• A web browser and ability to use an online learning platform
• Basic familiarity with spreadsheets or data-entry forms (useful but not mandatory)
• A smartphone or GPS-enabled device (useful for recording coordinates during sampling)
• Access to the MARIS data portal

No advanced software installation is required.

UNESCO is committed to promoting equal access principles. Applications from minority or underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.

Assessment & Certificate

• To receive the certificate, participants must:
• Attend the mandatory practical sessions on 22 and 23 May 2026
• Complete the required online lessons and quizzes
• Actively participate in sampling, laboratory, and data-management activities
• Follow the Erasmus Maris sampling and analysis SOPs
• Correctly process and analyse reference samples within an accepted recovery range
• Correctly upload complete data and metadata to the MARIS database
• Complete the mandatory course evaluation/feedback form

Contacts

For course organisation, please contact: Dr Kamel Labibes - coordination@ayamsailing.eu

For additional questions, please contact the OTGA Secretariat (ioc.training@unesco.org), always using the name of the course as email subject.

Cancellation Policy

In the event of cancellation of the course by the OTGA or its affiliates, we will provide notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date. In the event of cancellation by the attendee, we should receive notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date.

This online self-paced course aims to support ocean practitioners in understanding how effective data management and ocean observations underpin evidence-based Marine/Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP). It highlights the critical role that reliable, accessible, and well-managed data play in informing planning processes, supporting decision-making, and enabling sustainable use of marine and coastal areas.  

 Building on internationally recognized practices and guidance developed by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO and MSPglobal initiative, this course introduces fundamental concepts of data, metadata, and data management relevant to MSP, and suggests relevant tools and services for MSP practitioners. Participants will explore the role of Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDIs) as key enablers for data sharing, interoperability, and collaboration, and will examine why SDIs are particularly beneficial for MSP initiatives. Practical insights are provided on how SDIs can be established, maintained, and continuously improved to meet evolving planning needs.  

 Additionally, the course introduces key elements of ocean observations and their relevance for MSP, including an overview of observation systems, data types, and monitoring approaches. The basics of Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) and Essential Climate Variables (ECVs) are also included, explaining how these standardized variables support consistent, comparable, and policy-relevant information for marine planning. Participants will learn how to identify, access, and assess suitable ocean observation data to support specific MSP objectives and contexts. The course also highlights emerging trends and future directions in data management, SDIs, and ocean observations, and discusses implications for the evolving practice of MSP.  

Needs and priority

Format and Duration

This is a self-paced online course, comprising various learning resources, activities and assessments, with a total of 25 hours estimated for completion.

Language of instruction: English

Learning outcomes

Course content

The course is composed of four online modules: 

Module 1: Introduction to data and its importance to MSP

This module provides an introduction to MSP context, including the role of data in ocean management, fundamental data management principles and practices, the basics of spatial data, and principles of data security and responsible data sharing.

Module 2: Spatial Data Infrastructure for MSP

This module introduces Spatial Data Infrastructures and their role in supporting MSP, including its main components, creation and maintenance, institutional arrangements, stakeholder engagement, and capacity development.

Module 3: Ocean Observations for MSP

This module provides a comprehensive overview of ocean observation and its integration into MSP, within ocean data collection, management, coordination, and application to support evidence-based decisions. It also includes key concepts, technologies, frameworks, and practical aspects.

Module 4: Emerging trends in ocean observation for MSP

This module covers emerging topics of global importance, such as advances in sensor technology and autonomous systems applications, data availability and resolution, the Digital Twins of the Ocean, big data and artificial intelligence, global cooperation, transboundary marine spatial planning, and emerging ocean industries data.

Target audience

This course was developed by MSPglobal, through IOC’s Marine Policy and Regional Coordination Section, Ocean Observations and Services Section, and the International Oceanographic Data & Information Exchange Programme.

Facilitators

This course was developed by: 

• Annette Scheffer [OE profile]
• Niccolò Bassan [OE profile]
• Michele Quesada da Silva [OE profile]

We also acknowledge the contribution of different experts:

• Andrej Abramic [OE profile]
• Carolina García Valencia [OE profile]
• Dawn Wright [OE profile]
• Louis Demargne [OE profile]
• Manuel Frias [OE profile]
• Maeva Tesan [OE profile]
• Nathalie Tonné [OE profile]
• Pascal Derycke [OE profile]
• Stefano Menegon [OE profile]
• Veronica Nieves [OE profile]

Registration, costs, and technological requirements

This course is offered on a continuous basis, with open registrations as yearly cohorts, with no tuition fees.

To follow this course, participants shall have: 

Assessment & Certificate

This is a self-taught course that includes quizzes designed to help learners assess their own learning at regular intervals. In order to successfully complete the course and award a Certificate at the end, the following is mandatory:

• Complete every lesson, activity, and assessment;
• Complete all quizzes (80% minimum score, maximum 3 attempts, 40 minutes time limit for each attempt, questions may differ between attemps);
• Complete the mandatory pre-test and post-test; and
• Submit the required feedback form, which is mandatory for all OTGA courses.

Contacts

For any questions, please contact OTGA Secretariat (ioc.training@unesco.org) always using the name of the course as e-mail subject.

Cancellation policy

In the event of cancellation of the course by the OTGA or its affiliates, we will provide notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date. In the event of cancellation by the attendee, we should receive notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date.

Additional acknowledgement

This course was developed based on the MSPglobal Data Toolboxes Volume 1“How to develop a Spatial Data Infrastructure for MSP” and Volume 2 “How to use Ocean Observations for MSP”. We gratefully acknowledge all contributors who made these publications possible.

We thank the external partners who granted use of images/visuals to enhance the materials of this course, including: British Antarctic Survey; European Space Agency (ESA) / ATG medialab; Clive McMahon.

This 2 week-long module on Ocean Data Management is part of the Nippon Foundation-POGO Centre of Excellence (NF-POGO CofE) and hosted by AWI (cohort 2023). This module is part of an intensive training course for young professionals at the post-graduate level, ten months in duration, with an intake of ten trainees per year. The course is sponsored by the Nippon Foundation and hosted by the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research.

This module provides a comprehensive introduction to a wide variety of earth science datasets, formats and analysis software. Students will learn and practice methods using a common ocean area, and they are expected to create a personal project of data products for a marine region of their own choosing. Personal projects are presented by the students at the end of the course.

This 2 week-long module on Ocean Data Management is part of the Nippon Foundation-POGO Centre of Excellence (NF-POGO CofE) and hosted by AWI (cohort 2022). This module is part of an intensive training course for young professionals at the post-graduate level, ten months in duration, with an intake of ten trainees per year. The course is sponsored by the Nippon Foundation and hosted by the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research.

This module provides a comprehensive introduction to a wide variety of earth science datasets, formats and analysis software. Students will learn and practice methods using a common ocean area, and they are expected to create a personal project of data products for a marine region of their own choosing. Personal projects are presented by the students at the end of the course.

This 2 week-long module on Ocean Data Management is part of the Nippon Foundation-POGO Centre of Excellence (NF-POGO CofE) and hosted by AWI (cohort 2021). This module is part of an intensive training course for young professionals at the post-graduate level, ten months in duration, with an intake of ten trainees per year. The course is sponsored by the Nippon Foundation and hosted by the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research.

This module provides a comprehensive introduction to a wide variety of earth science datasets, formats and analysis software. Students will learn and practice methods using a common ocean area, and they are expected to create a personal project of data products for a marine region of their own choosing. Personal projects are presented by the students at the end of the course.

Venue

Marine Institute of Memorial University. St Johns, Newfoundland, Canada

Learning outcomes

As a result of this course, CofE scholars will acquire basic knowledge to:

• Obtaining relevant oceanographic variables such as ocean surface temperature, chlorophyll-a concentration, surface currents,
• Visualising and developing products to support initial, analysis and assessment of meso to large-scale marine and coastal ecosystems. 

Target audience

The training is open to the 10 CofE scholars. More information on the training programme at https://www.ofi.ca/programs/centre/program

Pre-requisites:

Participants must:

• Have prior knowledge of oceanography;

• Bring their own laptop;

• A working knowledge of English.

Course content

Module 1: Introduction to Ocean Observation 

• Importance of observational oceanography and the Global Ocean Observing System
• Platforms for collecting and visualising oceanographic data

Module 2: Defining Area of Interest & Folder structure

• Selection and delimitation of area of interest.
• Organisation of folder structure and file names

Module 3:  Ocean Data View & World Ocean Data database

• The World Ocean Database (WOD), select and download WOD data
• The Ocean Data View (ODV), download and install ODV
• Create data collection on ODV
• Import and analyse WOD data on ODV
• Quality control on ODV
• Prepare and export products on ODV

• Geographic Coordination System and Basic GIS file formats
• QGIS, download and install, basic layout

Module 5: Creating a GIS project with basic marine and auxiliary data

• Sources of basic, auxiliary data sources for marine GIS
• Import shape and raster format data into the GIS
• Shape and raster layers clipping
• Prepare map figure

• Obtain Essential Ocean Variables from diverse portals
• GIS tools such as interpolation, clipping with masks, extract isolines from raster, raster calculator, derive vectors from scalar components

Module 7: Online visualisation of oceanographic products 

• Acquaint with oceanographic data portals and their basic tools for plotting and consulting oceanographic parameters of interest
• Export products (figures, plots, data, GIS format files)

Language of instruction: English

Duration, Synchronous Sessions, and Format

The training will take place face-to-face between 24 to 28 November, 2025, with a duration of approximately 35 hours.

Live sessions are planned from Monday to Friday, from 9:00-12:30 and 13:30-17:00.

The course has an online learning component to complement the learning activities and assessments. Live online sessions may be broadcasted if one or more scholars are not able to be present on-site.

Instructors

Lilian Anne Krug (POGO)

Organizers

The course provides an introduction to the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS). This includes best practices in marine biogeographic data management, data publication, data access, data analysis and data visualisation.

Aims and Objectives

• Reinforce and expand the OBIS network in the South-East Asian Region
• Increase awareness on international standards and best practices related to marine biogeographic data management
• Increase the amount and quality of open access biodiversity data published through OBIS and its OBIS nodes
• Increase the use of data from OBIS for research, species conservation and area-based management applications for sustainable development

El presente curso se presenta como una oportunidad para actualizar la información acerca de los formatos y estándares que se utilizan en OBIS.

OBIS se encuentra en un trayecto de renovación y mejora de ciertos procedimientos, especialmente los que se refieren a los controles de calidad de los datos suministrados. Durante el presente curso se expondrán conceptos y procedimientos sobre: usos de la plataforma OBIS, procedimientos para organizar los datos según ciertos estándres y formatos, ¿cómo publicar datos en OBIS? y cuáles son las mejores prácticas para el aprovechamiento de los datos que se encuentran en OBIS.

Training the OBIS nodes and the trainers (at the OBIS nodes and OceanTeacher regional training centres) was considered a top priority at the last SG-OBIS meeting. The training will include: 

1. The application of ratified Darwin Core terms 
   
2. OBIS-ENV-DATA standard (combining sampling events, occurrences, abiotic+ biotic measurements and sampling facts). 
   
3. QC tools (including the OBIS tools R package: https://github.com/iobis/obistools) ;
   
4. Data publication (IPT), including metadata management 
   
5. Data access and visualization (including the OBIS R package: https://github.com/iobis/robis) ;
   
6. There will be time for discussions and tackling specific use cases including output.