Business Rules - Marine Biology

This document lists the fundamental rules of the marine biology domain, each identified by a unique BR-NNN code. Every rule is technology-independent and describes an invariant constraint on sampling, cataloguing, monitoring and conservation of marine organisms.

> Note: This is a descriptive scientific domain. The rules do not model commercial transactions, but the scientific process of sampling, analysis and environmental monitoring.

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BR-001 - Identification via AphiaID

Code: BR-001 Name: Every MarineSpecies must be identified by a WoRMS AphiaID Description: A marine species is referenced by the stable AphiaID identifier of the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), in addition to the Linnaean binomial name. This avoids synonymy problems in shared datasets. Motivation: Ensure uniqueness of the marine taxonomic reference regardless of nomenclature changes. Priority: HIGH Actors: Marine Biologist, Research Institute Traceability: WoRMS (AphiaID); FishBase; catalogue-species.md.

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BR-002 - Georeferencing and depth of the sampling

Code: BR-002 Name: Every Sampling must record coordinates, date and depth Description: A valid sampling contains WGS84 position, date, depth (euphotic/mesopelagic/bathypelagic zone) and method. Depth is a critical datum because it determines the ecological zone and the expected fauna. Motivation: Marine distribution data and ecological models depend on a reliable 3D position. Priority: HIGH Actors: Marine Biologist, Scientific Diver Traceability: WGS84; pelagic zonation; perform-sampling.md.

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BR-003 - Validation before publishing the datum

Code: BR-003 Name: A Sampling must be analysed and validated before publication Description: Field data (catalogued species, oceanographic parameters, population counts) must pass through the analysis and validation phase before being published in databases or scientific literature. Motivation: Prevent the spread of misidentifications or erroneous measurements into reference datasets. Priority: HIGH Actors: Marine Biologist, Research Institute Traceability: sampling-lifecycle.md; monitor-ecosystem.md.

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BR-004 - Monitoring of Good Environmental Status (MSFD)

Code: BR-004 Name: Ecosystem monitoring follows the MSFD GES descriptors Description: The assessment of a MarineEcosystem is based on the descriptors of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (2008/56/EC): biodiversity (D1), non-indigenous species (D2), fish stocks (D3), contaminants (D8). An area is in GES when all relevant descriptors meet the reference values. Motivation: Align monitoring with European regulatory requirements for sea protection. Priority: HIGH Actors: Marine Observatory, Research Institute Traceability: MSFD 2008/56/EC; GES descriptors; MarineEcosystem entity.

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BR-005 - Reporting of non-indigenous species

Code: BR-005 Name: Non-indigenous species (NIS) must be reported to monitoring Description: The sighting of an invasive alien species (e.g. _Caulerpa cylindracea_, _Lagocephalus sceleratus_) generates a report (MigrationDetected/NIS) to marine observatories, distinct from ordinary cataloguing, because it can alter the ecosystem structure (MSFD descriptor D2). Motivation: Enable containment interventions and track Lessepsian migration in the Mediterranean. Priority: MEDIUM Actors: Marine Biologist, Scientific Diver Traceability: MSFD D2; Lessepsian migration; MarineSpecies entity (NIS flag).

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BR-006 - Protection of protected habitats

Code: BR-006 Name: Activities in protected habitats (e.g. Posidonia meadow) require caution Description: Operations in a protected MarineHabitat (_Posidonia oceanica_ meadow, coralligenous, Pelagos sanctuary) must minimize disturbance; destructive sampling is limited and the exact position of vulnerable species may be obscured. Motivation: Protect key marine habitats and protected species from anthropogenic disturbance. Priority: HIGH Actors: Scientific Diver, Marine Observatory Traceability: Pelagos Sanctuary; Posidonia meadow; MarineHabitat entity.

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BR-007 - Population counting with a reproducible method

Code: BR-007 Name: Population counts must use a documented, repeatable method Description: The abundance estimate of a MarineSpecies (visual transects, standardized catches, remote sensing) must specify the method, sampling effort and area, to allow comparisons over time and between stations. Motivation: Ensure population time series are comparable and interpretable. Priority: MEDIUM Actors: Marine Biologist, Research Institute Traceability: monitor-ecosystem.md; MonitoringStation entity.

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BR-008 - Compliance with management quotas (ICCAT)

Code: BR-008 Name: Data on stocks under international management cite the regulatory framework Description: When a Sampling concerns a managed stock (e.g. bluefin tuna _Thunnus thynnus_ under ICCAT), catch/abundance data reference the TAC (Total Allowable Catch) system and the updated IUCN status, without providing operational fishing guidance. Motivation: Link the scientific datum to the international stock management context. Priority: MEDIUM Actors: Research Institute, Marine Observatory Traceability: ICCAT (TAC); IUCN Red List; MarineSpecies entity.