The Ocean Biogeographic Information Systems (OBIS) project, which serves as a clearinghouse for Census data, has received good news. The International Oceanographic Commission (IOC) has adopted a resolution accepting OBIS into its International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE) program. Under the terms of the resolution, OBIS activity would continue under IODE and the OBIS Secretariat at Rutgers University, NJ, USA could become the host of an IOC Program Office. Currently, discussions are in progress to work out the details of this integration and to investigate the establishment of IOC cooperation with OBIS’ contributors and other stakeholders. A multi-source fund has been set up by IOC to ensure OBIS’ continued research and operation into the future. More information is available on the IODE website: IODE News 24-jun-09 [1].