Below is an alphabetical list of the most common acronyms used on this website and in SOOS products and documents.
| Acronym | Full Name |
| CliC | Climate and Cryosphere |
| CLIVAR | Climate Variability and Predictability |
| DMSC | Data Management Sub-Committee |
| EXCOM | Executive Committee |
| GOOS | Global Ocean Observing System |
| IMAS | Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies |
| IPO | International Project Office |
| POGO | Partnership of Observations of the Global Ocean |
| SCAR | Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research |
| SCOR | Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research |
| SOOS | Southern Ocean Observing System |
| SSC | Scientific Steering Committee |
The SOOS "Initial Science and Implementation Strategy" outlines the scientific rationale and strategy for the SOOS and identifies the next steps towards implementation.
