The utility of this system relies on the quality and quantity of the data it contains. I ask for help from the research community to populate this system. Published literature is being searched, but if you know of unpublished data, data in less-accessible publications, or have data that are already in electronic formats, please contact Karen Stocks (kstocks 'at' sdsc.edu). Specifically, I am seeking records including:

• a species or genus-level identification (at present, I am not able to process unidentified samples);
• location information indicating where it is from (i.e. latitude and longitude, or a seamount name that is documented); and
• as much accessory information (e.g. date taken, whether there is a voucher specimen, sample gear, vessel and cruise, who performed sample identifications) as possible.

I am happy to take data that are not in electronic formats. I am also interested in coordinating with systems already serving their own data, or with researchers who wish to do so. While I can not compensate data providers, I can provide the following:

• a reliable system for storing and, if you wish, permanently preserving your data. The San Diego Supercomputer Center has made a commitment to supporting the system in the long term. I am committed to maintaining and updating the system, including any data edits you wish to make.
• a venue for sharing your data with the community and with fellow collaborators. SeamountsOnline contributes data to the Ocean Biogoegraphic Information System (OBIS), and the Global Biodiversity Information System (GBIF), and is listed in the Global Change Master Directory.
• acknowledgment of your input. Users of the system are asked to cite the original data provider when using data in the system, and to use the data only for noncommercial purposes.