Dear MARMAM community, We are excited to announce that the new Joint Cetacean Data Programme (JCDP) portal is now live! There is a huge amount of effort in collecting cetacean data across the NE Atlantic (and globally, but we had to start somewhere...), but there remain large gaps in data availability for e.g. robust assessments of population status. The JCDP aims to be a mechanism to standardise, store and access the existing and future data collected via ship and aerial methods (effort-related). The JCDP vision is to Promote and facilitate cetacean data standardisation and maximise value through collation and enabling of universal access. For more information: https://jncc.gov.uk/our-work/joint-cetacean-data-programme/ We are proud to announce that the JCDP, in collaboration with a representative stakeholder group, has developed a Data Standard based on existing data collection methods, which identifies core fields and applies standardised vocabularies to result in high-quality data that can be easily used as a collated dataset. The aim is for this standard to be applied as widely as possible to coordinate the format of these data so please take a look and share widely! The data standard is accessible here: JCDP Data Standard<https://jncc.gov.uk/our-work/jcdp-resources/> There are further resources available in support of the JCDP aims such as data collection guidance and distance sampling tutorial videos, which can be found here: https://jncc.gov.uk/our-work/jcdp-resources/ The database is hosted in the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) data centre, where you can upload, view, filter and access JCDP-compliant data, which helps to mobilise data that have otherwise been inaccessible, in the hopes we can begin to fill some of the data gaps in space and time for analyses. Here you can also download a template of the format to assist with transforming existing data, or support collection of data in the JCDP format. JCDP platform: https://cetaceans.ices.dk/

From this point on, the JCDP will be governed by an ICES Working Group (WGJCDP), which will be responsible for promoting the resource; developing the platform further to fulfil identified needs; and consider development of open access data products. This group is currently building membership and will work closely with WGBYC<https://www.ices.dk/community/groups/Pages/WGBYC.aspx> and WGMME<https://www.ices.dk/community/groups/Pages/WGMME.aspx> with the aim of complimenting evidence requirements, so if you feel you may have something to bring to the group and want to get involved, get in touch with your country ICES SCICOM rep: https://www.ices.dk/community/groups/Pages/Members.aspx?Acronym=SCICOM or directly with nikki.taylor@jncc.gov.uk<mailto:nikki.taylor@jncc.gov.uk>.

For more information on the JCDP, contact marinemammals@jncc.gov.uk<mailto:marinemammals@jncc.gov.uk> We are looking forward to growing the data holdings of this resource and adding value to the tremendous effort in data collection in the NE Atlantic! The JCDP project 2019 - 2022 was funded by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and managed by JNCC. Nikki Taylor | Senior Marine Species Adviser | JCDP Project Manager Monkstone House, City Road, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE1 1JY | nikki.taylor@jncc.gov.uk<mailto:nikki.taylor@jncc.gov.uk> | Direct dial: +44 (0)1733 866902 | Switchboard: +44 (0) 1733 562626 | Twitter: @NikkiLouTaylor<https://twitter.com/TheWetaTheBeta> https://jncc.gov.uk/our-work/joint-cetacean-data-programme/ Working pattern: Monday to Friday, flexible working [cid:image001.jpg@01D87A50.73A27A70]