Introduction

In 2006, JCU agreed to become part of the BlueNet project. BlueNet is a project to create an Australian Marine Science Data Network. It is funded by DEST and its primary aims are to:

• create an online repository for marine data to support future marine research,
• build an archiving facility delivering long term data curation,
• provide security for datasets,
• make marine data more accessible and discoverable,
• helps prevent duplication of research effort by making data sharable

Some of the anticipated benefits for researchers

• Easier access to information from a wider ranges of sources
• Identification of potential collaborators
• Wider dissemination of research results and researcher profiles
• Acknowledgement of your data when it is used in other studies

Do you or some of your research team have data at risk –
· Old data that is not routinely backed-up
· Data produced by short term research at JCU (graduate and postgraduate students, research fellows)
· Researchers retiring or moving to another position

The ARC put out a media release on the 18 Jan stating in part “Accordingly, we encourage researchers, at the earliest opportunity, to deposit their data and any publications arising from government-funded research in an appropriate repository that has free public access.” BlueNet aims to provide one of these appropriate repositories.