As the only United Nations organization specializing in ocean sciences, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) has the responsibility to promote basic marine scientific investigations globally. IOC has always given special attention to planning and forecasting new developments in ocean sciences, taking into account both the steady evolution of knowledge and fundamental changes leading to major scientific breakthroughs. Following that tradition, and in honor of IOC’s fiftieth anniversary, we focus on two distinct objectives in this article. First, we provide a glimpse of past IOC scientific achievements. Second, we share IOC’s vision for a marine science strategy for the next 15 years. For that purpose, IOC has identified three critical elements that will likely provide the scientific and technical means to redefine the future of ocean sciences: (1) science drivers, (2) ocean instrumentation and technological developments, and (3) strategic frameworks for cooperation. The third element is of particular importance because research at unprecedented geographic scales is required to improve our understanding of climate change and ecosystem functioning, including biodiversity conservation and management options. Because this effort calls for extensive national and international efforts, we also discuss the role of comprehensive international core projects.

Valdés, L., L. Fonseca, and K. Tedesco. 2010. Looking into the future of ocean sciences: An IOC perspective. Oceanography 23(3):160–175, https://doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2010.31.

Belfiore, S., J. Barbière, R. Bowen, B. Cicin-Sain, C. Ehler, C. Mageau, D. McDougall, and R. Siron. 2006. A Handbook for Measuring the Progress and Outcomes of Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management. IOC Manuals and Guides No. 46, ICAM Dossier No. 2, UNESCO, Paris, 217 pp.

Carpine-Lancre, J., R. Fisher, B. Harper, P. Hunter, M. Jones, A. Kerr, A. Laughton, S. Ritchie, D. Scott, and M. Whitmarch. 2003. The History of GEBCO 1903–2003: The 100-Year Story of the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans. Lemmer, Netherlands, GITC bv, 140 pp.

Costa, D., B. Block, and S. Bograd. 2009. Using electronic tags to monitor the movements, behaviour and habitats of marine vertebrates. Proceedings of OceanObs’09: Sustained Ocean Observations and Information for Society, vol. 2, Venice, Italy, September 21–25, 2009. J. Hall, D.E. Harrison, and D. Stammer, eds, ESA Publication WPP-306. Available online at http://www.oceanobs09.net/blog/?p=633 (accessed May 22, 2010).

Ehler, C., and F. Douvere. 2009. Marine Spatial Planning: A Step-By-Step Approach Toward Ecosystem-based Management. IOC Manual and Guides No. 53, ICAM Dossier No. 6, UNESCO, Paris, 99 pp.

ESF (European Science Foundation). 2009. Impacts of Ocean Acidification. ESF Science Policy Briefing No. 37, 11 pp.

Field, J.G., G. Hempel, and C.P. Summerhayes. 2002. Oceans 2020: Science, Trends, and the Challenge of Sustainability. Island Press, Washington, DC, 296 pp.

Gunderson, L., and C. Folke. 2003. Toward a science of the long view. Conservation Ecology 7(1):15.

Gunn, J. 2009. Observing global ocean biology: Is new technology the solution? Paper presented at OceanObs’09 Meeting, Venice-Lido, Italy, September 21–25, 2009. Available online under title “Developments for sustained measurement of new variables: Ocean biology observatories” at: http://www.oceanobs09.net/blog/?p=1041 (accessed June 1, 2010).

Halpern, B., S. Walbridge, K.A. Selkoe, C.V. Kappel, F. Micheli, C. D’Agrosa, J.F. Bruno, K.S. Casey, C. Ebert, H.E. Fox, and others. 2008. A global map of human impact on marine ecosystems. Science 319(5865):948–952. [CrossRef]

Holland, G. 2006. Observing and understanding Planet Ocean: A history of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). Pp. 332–353 in Sixty Years of Science at UNESCO 1945–2005. UNESCO, Paris.

ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Sea). 2009. ICES Science Plan 2009–2013. ICES General Secretary, Copenhagen, 15 pp.

IDDRI (Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations). 2009. Towards a New Governance of High Seas Biodiversity. International scientific seminar organized by IDDRI, Principality of Monaco, March 20–21, 2008, J. Rochette, ed., published as Oceanis 35(1–2).

IOC (Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission). 2003. Terms of Reference for the Programme Elements in the Structure of the IOC Ocean Science Section. IOC/INF-1180, Paris, 11 pp. Available online at: http://www.jodc.go.jp/info/ioc_doc/INF/129214e.pdf (accessed June 1, 2010).

IOC. 2007. Summary Report of the First Meeting of the Advisory Group for the IOC Ocean Science Section. IOC/INF-1235 Paris, 42 pp. Available online at: http://ioc3.unesco.org/ioc-24/documents.html (accessed June 1, 2010).

IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change). 1990. Climate Change: The IPCC Scientific Assessment Report. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 365 pp.

IPCC. 2007. Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, 996 pp.

JSOST (Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology). 2007. Charting the Course for Ocean Science in the United States for the Next Decade: An Ocean Research Priorities Plan and Implementation Strategy. US Global Change Research Program/Climate Change Science Program Office, 84 pp.

Kroger, S., E.R. Parker, J.D. Metcalfe, N. Greenwood, R.M. Forster, D.B. Sivyer, and D.J. Pearce. 2009. Sensors for observing ecosystem status. Ocean Science Discussions 6:765–798. [CrossRef]

McClain, C.R., S.R. Signorini, and J.R. Christian. 2004. Subtropical gyre variability observed by ocean-color satellites. Deep-Sea Research Part II 51:281–301. [CrossRef]

Nellemann, C., E. Corcoran, C. Duarte, L. Valdés, C. deYoung, L. Fonseca, and G. Grimsditch. 2009. Blue Carbon: A Rapid Response Assessment. United Nations Environment Programme, GRID-Arendal, 78 pp.

Ogata, Y., H. Takada, K. Mizukawa, H. Hirai, S. Iwasa, S. Endo, Y. Mato, M. Saha, K. Okuda, A. Nakashima, and others. 2009. International Pellet Watch: Global monitoring of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in coastal waters. 1. Initial phase data on PCBs, DDTs, and HCHs. Marine Pollution Bulletin 58:1,437–1,446.

Reid, W.V., C. Bréchignac, and Y.T. Lee 2009. Earth system research priorities. Science 325:245. [CrossRef]

Revelle, R., and H.E. Suess. 1957. Carbon dioxide exchange between atmosphere and ocean and the question of an increase of atmospheric CO2 during the past decades. Tellus 9:18–27. [CrossRef]

Roll, H.U. 1979. Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC), History, Functions, Achievements. IOC/INF-523, Paris, 11 pp.

Royal Society. 2009. Geoengineering the Climate: Science, Governance and Uncertainty. Royal Society policy document 10/09. 81 pp. Available online at: http://royalsociety.org/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=10768 (accessed May 22, 2010).

Scholin, C.A. 2009. What are ecogenomic sensors? A review and thoughts for the future. Ocean Science Discussions 6:191–213. [CrossRef]

Schwartz, P. 1996. The Art of the Long View: Planning for the Future in an Uncertain World. Currency Doubleday, New York, 272 pp.

Seibold, E. 1999. Forecasting Ocean Science? Pros and Cons. The Potsdam Lecture, Geological Institute, Freiburg University, Germany, October 1999. IOC Technical Series No. 61, 20 pp.

Sutherland, W.J., and H.J. Woodroof. 2009. The need for environmental horizon scanning. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 24(10):523–527. [CrossRef]

Sutherland, W.J., M. Clout, I.M. Côté, P. Daszak, M.H. Depledge, L. Fellman, E. Fleishman, R. Garthwaite, D.W. Gibbons, J. De Lurio, and others. 2009. A horizon scan of global conservation issues for 2010. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 25(1):1–7.

Tamelander J., L. Riddering, F. Haag, and J. Matheickal. 2010. Guidelines for Development of National Ballast Water Management Strategies. GEF-UNDP-IMO GloBallast, London, UK, and IUCN, Gland, Switzerland. GloBallast Monographs No. 18, 53 pp.

UK Marine Science Co-ordination Committee. 2010. UK Marine Science Strategy: Shaping, Supporting, Co-ordinating and Enabling the Delivery of World Class Marine Science for the UK 2010–2025. Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs, London. PB 13347, 49 pp. Available online at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/marine/.../science/mscc/mscc-strategy.pdf (accessed May 26, 2010).

UNESCO. 2002. One Planet, One Ocean: Sustainable Development of Oceans and Coasts. IOC information documents series No. 1172, 32 pp.

Valdés, L., A. López-Urrutia, J. Cabal, M. Alvarez-Ossorio, A. Bode, A. Miranda, M. Cabanas, I. Huskin, R. Anadón, F. Alvarez-Marqués, and others. 2007. A decade of sampling in the Bay of Biscay: What are the zooplankton time series telling us? Progress in Oceanography 74(2–3):98–114.

Valdés, L., W. Peterson, J. Church, K. Brander, and M. Marcos. 2009. Our changing oceans: Conclusions of the first international symposium on the effects of climate change on the world’s oceans. ICES Journal of Marine Science 66(7):1,435–1,438. [CrossRef]

Voituriez, B., and G. Jacques. 2000. El Niño, Fact and Fiction. IOC Ocean Forum Series, UNESCO Publishing, 128 pp.

Zehr, J.P., I. Hewson, and P.H. Moisander. 2008. Molecular biology techniques and applications for ocean sensing. Ocean Science Discussions 5:625–657. [CrossRef]

This is an open access article made available under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format as long as users cite the materials appropriately, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate the changes that were made to the original content. Images, animations, videos, or other third-party material used in articles are included in the Creative Commons license unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If the material is not included in the article’s Creative Commons license, users will need to obtain permission directly from the license holder to reproduce the material.