Dear MARMAMers You may have seen the request below through the GOOS, MBON or POGO listservs, but we would like to circulate it as widely as possible. Once we have feedback from the broadly distributed survey, we are planning to hold an expert workshop late in 2025 and we will then share the outcomes of the workshop with the larger community. Please feel free to email Dipani Sutaria (dipani.sutaria@gmail.com) or Samantha Simmons (samantha.e.simmons@gmail.com) our current marine mammal EOV representatives if you have questions. Also please feel free to share this review request among your networks but please note, as mentioned above, we are distributing it through GOOS, MBON, POGO and some other marine mammal regional networks. Cheers and many thanks for your time, Sam and Dipani —--------------------------------------- The Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) is conducting a consultation on the Biology and Ecosystems Essential Ocean Variables (BioEco EOVs) and their associated specification sheets. Guided by the Framework for Ocean Observing, GOOS applies a systems-design approach to help ocean observing communities define the requirements for an integrated, fit-for-purpose, sustained global ocean observing system. This approach focuses on a minimum set of key variables: the Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs), designed to move the focus beyond individual observing systems, platforms, programs, or regions toward a globally connected and coordinated system. EOVs serve as a foundation for guiding investments in observing infrastructure and for fostering coordination across ocean observing efforts. They enable the collection of globally comparable data and information that can support a wider range of applications, including reporting against multilateral environmental agreements, informing policy and management decisions, advancing scientific knowledge and more. The GOOS Biology and Ecosystems Expert Panel has identified a set of BioEco EOVs using the Drivers, Pressures, State, Impact, and Response (DPSIR) framework, combined with feasibility and impact assessments. These BioEco EOVs represent the core biology and ecosystems observations needed to inform our understanding of ocean health and to provide baselines against which the impacts of human pressures and climate change can be measured and reported. To date, 12 BioEco EOVs have been recognised by GOOS, with marine mammal abundance and distribution one of these EOVs. A detailed draft specification sheet has been developed for the EOV to serve as practical guidance for contributing relevant observations to the global system. It describes key phenomena and processes, outlines the essential measurements, and defines the spatial and temporal scales and observing approaches required to monitor the EOV effectively. The Marine mammal abundance and distribution V2.0 specification sheet can be found here <https://goosocean.org/document/36266>. The information contained within is by design focused on basic observations that can be applied globally regardless of place based capability and capacity. This consultation seeks input from the marine mammal research community and other relevant stakeholders on the content of the specification sheet. It is an opportunity for the community to contribute to the ongoing refinement of this critical tool, helping ensure it meets the needs of researchers, observers, and decision-makers alike. A survey has been created for you to provide input and can be accessed here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf4_2NVDiVhYZbjV0IQx2uuGnJrqQ8Nrid9... Please allow around 30 minutes to complete the survey. Many of the questions are optional but we encourage you to provide as many responses as possible so we can ensure the specification sheet meets the needs of the community. The survey is anonymous but if you would like to share your information (name and affiliation) please contact us at goosbioeco@gmail.com — About GOOS: The Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) is the global home of ocean observing expertise and systematic coordination. We lead and support a community of international, regional and national ocean observing programmes, governments, UN agencies, research organizations and individual scientists. Our Core Team of expert panels, observing networks, alliances and projects, supported by the GOOS Office, is in touch with ocean observing and forecasting around the world. We are a programme led by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, with UN and science co-sponsors: World Meteorological Organization (WMO), UN Environmental Programme (UNEP) and the International Science Council (ISC). -- <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Samantha Simmons, PhD.