Principles

The following seven principles guide how Antarctic and Southern Ocean data should be managed, described, and shared to maximise their long-term value and interoperability.

Principle	Statement	Context
Metadata	Data are best represented by metadata described with an internationally recognised standard.	Metadata should carry attributes that enable discovery, access, context, and reuse. Well-structured metadata is easily exchanged across repositories and catalogues, and indexed by federated search tools.
Data Granularity	Data are best described and archived in their most granular, usable form appropriate to the discipline and data type.	Some disciplines are well served by project-level metadata; for others, utility is significantly improved when data are described and archived at a finer level of granularity.
Data are Standardised	Standardised data formats in widespread use worldwide increase data utility.	Standard formats promote data system interoperability and simplify aggregation across multiple data sources.
Data are Defined with Controlled Vocabularies	Data should be evaluated for attributes that carry different meanings to producers and users, and across disciplines.	Controlled vocabularies promote interoperability and reuse by ensuring shared understanding of terms. A layered approach to vocabularies is recommended: GCMD Keywords are used at the dataset level to describe the overall scientific topics and support discovery Climate Forecast (CF) Conventions are used where possible for standardised variable naming, ensuring compatibility with widely used data formats (e.g. NetCDF). NERC Vocabulary vocabularies are used to extend CF conventions, providing standardised, domain-specific terms for parameters and metadata elements where suitable CF terms do not exist. Together, these vocabularies support both data discovery (GCMD) and semantic precision and interoperability (CF and NERC).
Data are Accessible	Data are most accessible when available in an immediately usable form.	Data should be published as soon as practicable. A URL in the metadata pointing directly to a single data file enables automated systems and AI-driven workflows to integrate with the data. Files locked in non-standardised archives, behind passwords, or within access-restricted systems are significantly harder to consume programmatically.
Data Repositories are Trustworthy	Third-party repositories should be evaluated for quality and carry recognised certification.	Long-term preservation must be guaranteed. Repositories with CoreTrustSeal certification provide assurance of quality and longevity. Good repository selection also promotes data discovery and ensures data legacy.
CARE Principles for Indigenous Data Governance	Indigenous data should be managed so that Indigenous governance over the data and its use is respected.	The application of all other principles must never compromise Māori Data Sovereignty. The CARE Principles — Collective Benefit, Authority to Control, Responsibility, and Ethics — provide the framework for Indigenous data governance.