IEEE-1451[1] and OGC Sensor Web Enablement (OGC SWE)[2] define standard protocols to operate instruments, including methods to calibrate, configure, trigger data acquisition, and retrieve instrument data based on specified temporal and geospatial criteria. These standards also provide standard ways to describe instrument capabilities, properties, and data structures produced by the instrument. These standard operational protocols and descriptions enable observing systems to manage very diverse instruments as well as to acquire, process, and interpret their data in a uniform and automated manner. We refer to this property as “instrument interoperability”. This paper describes integration and evaluation of MBARI PUCK protocol [3] within different observatories including OBSEA [4,5] in Spain, the ESONET test-bed in Germany, and the SmartBay observatory in Canada.

As we continue to expand our activities on and beneath the surface of our oceans, there is an ever-expanding requirement to monitor and collect oce?anographie and meteorological data in increasingly remote and harsh marine environments. Ocean Observing systems provide critical information; information in support of problem solving, decision making, prediction and forecasting as well as in support of offshore engineering and design activities. In short, these systems enable us to better understand the oceans around us. Ocean data are often expensive and logistically challenging to collect. It is crucial that maximum value is derived from the investment made in ocean observation. Collecting and delivering data in a cost effective and timely manner is essential to its viability and ultimately its value to the end user. Over the last two decades there has been an explosion in the use of GIS (Geographic Information Systems) in ocean observation across a wide range of sectors from aquaculture to defense and security. As acceptance and usage of GIS continues to grow in these disparate sectors, many applications have developed their own data standards and their own proprietary software for processing, analysis and presentation. The concept of Open GIS was conceived with the vision of creating a set of open interface standards to enable diverse geo-processing systems to share data and communicate directly and efficiently. The Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) was formed to develop these open interface specifications as well as to lead the education and outreach components of the initiative. In broadest terms, an ocean observing system is comprised of three primary functional layers. The "top" layer, from the point of view of the end user, is the application layer, the software tools that enable the user to process, interpret and act upon data. The second layer is the service layer, the hardware and software necessary to move, store and manage data. The third layer is the data- collection layer consisting of the sensors and systems that are the physical interface with the ocean environment. The OGC promotes the concept of Sensor Web Enablement. A Sensor Web is a World Wide Web accessible network comprised of geographically distributed sensors and archived data. The sensors may monitor any physical parameter depending on the location and the application. The data, whether directly from sensors or from archived sources, can be located and accessed using standard communications protocols and programming tools. Fully implemented, OGC specifications will ultimately enable access to geospatial data regardless of source or location. It will enable data from different sources to be integrated and analyzed and will promote "common look and feel" visualization and display of information. There is considerable interest in the marine user community to define a new class of standards-based ocean sensors. These sensors can be located and identified over the World Wide Web, demonstrate "plug and work" interoperability in the field and offer data that can be shared, processed and presented to end users across many disciplines and applications. Ultimately these "smart" ocean sensors will result in new and increased market potential for sensor manufacturers as well as reduced costs to the end user. The Smart Ocean Sensors Consortium (SOSC) has been formed by a group of ocean sensor manufacturers and end users with the collective vision of improving the reliability, utility and cost-effectiveness of ocean observing sensor networks through the adoption, development, and promotion of appropriate standard interfaces and protocols. A primary SOSC objective is the submission of an interoperable ocean sensor specification for adoption by the Open Geospatial Consortium and ultimately dissemination to the wider oceans community.

Ocean Observing systems provide a broad range of users with critical information. This can include information required for problem solving, decision making, prediction and forecasting as well as to support offshore engineering and design. In short, these systems enable us to better understand the oceans around us. Collecting and delivering data in an effective and timely manner is crucial to its viability and consequently its value to the end user. In broadest terms, an ocean observing system is comprised of three primary functional layers. The top layer, from the point of view of the end user, is the application layer, the software tools that enable the user to process, interpret and act upon data. The second layer is the service layer, the hardware and software necessary to move, store and manage data. The third layer is the data collection layer consisting of the sensors and systems that are the physical interface with the ocean environment. The vision of Sensor Web Enablement, sensors that are discoverable, accessible and usable over the World Wide Web, is one that will ultimately have application in all ocean sectors and industries. One area of particular applicability both provincially in Newfoundland and Labrador and regionally in Atlantic Canada is aquaculture. Real time access to site data describing the sometimes rapidly changing oceanographic and meteorological conditions is critical for effective management of a modern aquaculture operation. The School of Ocean Technology at the Fisheries and Marine Institute of Memorial University of Newfoundland is about to embark on a pre-commercial applied research project that will result in a new and innovative approach to ocean observation in support of the aquaculture industry. On a larger scale, the results of the Smart Ocean Sensors Project will create the framework for a new class of observation systems with the capability to be uniquely and independently located, addressed and accessed via the World Wide Web. The School of Ocean Technology will collaborate with the Newfoundland Aquaculture Industry Association to provide the industry with ready access to real time and archival data on marine environmental conditions in support of sustainable aquaculture production. The project is based in the Coast of Bays region, the frontier of the emerging aquaculture industry on the island of Newfoundland and the centre of the rapidly growing commercial salmonid aquaculture industry in the Province. The project will deliver information to the end user through collaboration with the SmartBay initiative. SmartBay is a trial implementation of a user-driven, operations-focused ocean observing system with the vision of integrating and delivering information to a broad base of marine users in a timely and user-friendly manner. Currently based in Placentia Bay, which is geographically adjacent to the Coast of Bays, SmartBay is set to expand its service footprint into the Coast of Bays region under a separate project. The results of the collaboration will provide a better understanding of the dynamic biophysical conditions that affect the planning, operation and commercial viability of aquaculture installations. Access to the information will support all aspects of the industry, from planning and environmental assessment to site operations to broader scale ocean resources management. It is hoped and expected that following a successful trial in the Coast of Bays, the model will be adopted by the growing aquaculture industry for other regions and other species including shellfish and ground-fish. Finally the project will serve to establish a unique R&D capability at the Marine Institute that will not only improve the competitiveness of the aquaculture industry but will also provide opportunity to sensor manufacturers, regionally and beyond.