General Ocean Survey and Sampling Iterative Protocol (GOSSIP)

The GOSSIP protocol is a groundbreaking tool designed to improve our understanding and protection of marine life. By standardising how scientists collect and compare ocean data, GOSSIP helps unlock new possibilities for conservation.

In the past, varied sampling techniques made it difficult to compare data across different regions. This limited our ability to ask big-picture questions and make informed decisions about ocean management.

GOSSIP sets out a clear, structured approach to studying marine environments. It includes a list of important ocean variables—like ocean floor composition and dissolved oxygen levels—and provides guidelines on how to measure them. Developed by top marine scientists, this protocol ensures that data is consistent and comparable across different projects and locations.