The International Ocean-Colour Coordinating Group (IOCCG) was established in 1996 following a resolution endorsed by the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS), and is an international Committee of experts with representatives from national space agencies as well as the ocean colour and inland water user communities (research scientists). IOCCG promotes the application of remotely-sensed ocean-colour/inland water radiometry data across all aquatic environments, through coordination, training, liaison between providers (space agencies) and users (scientists), advocacy and provision of expert advice. Objectives include developing consensus and synthesis at the world scale in the subject area of satellite ocean colour radiometry (OCR), establishing specialised scientific working groups to investigate various aspects of ocean-colour technology and its applications, and addressing continuity and consistency of ocean colour radiance datasets through the CEOS OCR-Virtual Constellation. The IOCCG also has a strong interest in capacity building, and conducts and sponsors advanced ocean colour training courses in various countries around the world.

The IOCCG is an Affiliated Programme of the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) and an Associate Member of CEOS. The activities of the IOCCG are supported by national Space Agencies and other organisations, and upon infrastructure support from SCOR and the Bedford Institute of Oceanography (Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada) where the IOCCG Project Office is hosted.