1. iMarine data platform for collaborations,
7th March 2014, FAO (Rome)
The Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VME-DB) factsheet workflow
iMarine Reports Manager as a content management for fact sheets
Aureliano Gentile (FAO) – VME-DB fact sheets workflow – iMarine data platform for collaborations , 7th March 2014, FAO (Rome)

2. Background
• Understanding the impacts of bottom contact gears used by deep-sea fisheries on the
seafloor is of the utmost priority.
• The United Nations General Assembly adopted resolutions that inspired FAO to
coordinate the development of The International Guidelines for the Management of
Deep-Sea Fisheries on the High Seas.
• Since 2006, RFMO/As have developed measures to protect benthic VMEs and their
coral and sponge communities.
• This has generated a large amount of dispersed and difficult to access information that
Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems database (VME-DB)
• This has generated a large amount of dispersed and difficult to access information that
is now being entered on to a VME database to assist in informed decision making and
the development of further measures to increase sustainability and reduce impacts.
• The VME database is also aiming to facilitate partnerships and create networks among
the community of users, information contributors and those working on the
protection of VMEs in the high seas.

3. VME-DB components: Maps & Fact Sheets
Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems database (VME-DB)

4. Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems database (VME-DB)
The problem
Ensure a sustainable maintenance (delegating authority, distributing the efforts)
• Get a Content Management System (CMS) to handle the VME data
In a given data structure
In a specific workflow
Within a limited funds availability!
The solution
The iMarine Reports ManagerThe iMarine Reports Manager
A flexible CMS for reading content in whatever database schema
User friendly interface
Role-based workflow
Real time integration
Short development (three months)
Delivered on time and on budget

5. Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems database (VME-DB)
Updating the VME database through the iMarine Reports Manager
VME-DB Reports Manager
Fact sheet editing
HTTPS

6. Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems database (VME-DB)
iMarine Terms of Use applied to VME-DB
• The Reports Manager application is instantiated in a dedicated Virtual Research
Environment (VRE) for the VME database
• A private VRE with restricted access to selected users is foreseen in the iMarine Terms
of Use
• The VRE is not exposing data directly to the public nor sharing with other VREs hence
no specific license is required

7. Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems database (VME-DB)
Other services
• The iMarine distributed e-infrastructure provides the VME community with a
collaborative workspace through a Virtual Research Environment (VRE) for
information sharing and analysis.
• The community can take advantage of the e-Infrastructure to access
Biodiversity, Environmental and Fisheries data from other VREs.