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Through its member Societies, IFHS represents the full spectrum of the hydrographic expertise: contract hydrographic surveyors, government and military personnel, oceanographers, geophysicists, geologists, environmental scientists, civil engineers, port surveyors and operators, academics, project mangers, software engineers, surveyors in all sectors of private practice.

The Association Francophone d'Hydrographie aims to promote the quality of hydrography.

To this end, its objectives are to:

develop relations between the academic sector, the private sector and public institutions;
promote the emergence of joint scientific and technical projects between the entities constituting the francophone hydrographic community;
promote quality training in hydrography, meeting the needs of actors in this sector.

The aim of the HSB is to:

promote the science of hydrography and related disciplines;
intensify knowledge and training;
to create opportunities to exchange existing expertise and knowledge between those members.

The German Hydrographic Society (DHyG) is a professional association that is committed to the interests of hydrography and sees itself as the mouthpiece of hydrographers. Since 1984, the DHyG has been promoting practical and scientific hydrography as well as national and international cooperation. The DHyG offers all interested parties a forum for regular professional exchange.

Once a year, it organizes a conference: the Hydrograph Day. In addition, it publishes the Hydrographic News three times a year, the only German-language journal for hydrography and geoinformation.

The IHS is committed to advancing the education and training of persons already engaged or intending to engage in the study and work of hydrography and related sciences and to promote the highest level of accuracy and completeness in the application of hydrography, navigation and related sciences, in accordance with defined international standards. Represent, support and support needs and requests, including cultural ones, of operators in the marine offshore world, seafarers and all training operators in professional, social and private life. In the IHS company, for purposes of general interest, those who, already exercising a profession, an art or a craft, are able to demonstrate, as a result of the knowledge and experience acquired in their specific branch, and possessing the necessary moral, cultural and technical requirements, their professional capacity in the offshore world can join

The Australasian Hydrographic Society is the South West Pacific and South East Asian regional focus for those interested in hydrography and related sciences. The recent and extraordinary progress in oceanology means that the maritime industry and undersea exploration will be to this century, that which aviation and aerospace exploration was to the last.

As Canada’s national hydrographic association, CHA embraces the disciplines of:

hydrographic surveying;
marine cartography;
marine geodesy;
offshore exploration;
tide and current studies.

The Hydrographic Society of America (THSOA) is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization committed to promoting education in hydrography, inshore surveying, inland waters surveying, offshore surveying, positioning and mapping/charting, including related earth sciences.

The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) is a world-leading centre for hydrography, specialising in marine geospatial data to support safe, secure and thriving oceans.

UKHO is an executive agency, sponsored by the Ministry of Defence.

Hydrography provides the basis for all activities which involve the sea. The International Hydrographic Organization works to ensure that all the world's seas, oceans and navigable waters are surveyed and charted, thereby supporting safety of navigation and the protection of the marine environment. It coordinates the activities of national hydrographic offices and sets standards in order to promote uniformity in nautical charts and documents. It issues survey best practices and provides guidelines to maximize the use of hydrographic information.

International Federation of Surveyors, FIG, is a United Nations and World Bank recognized non-governmental organization of national member associations and covers the whole range of professional fields within the global surveying community. It provides an international forum for discussion and development aiming to promote professional practice and standards.

FIG Commission 4 is focusing on development and recognition of standards of competency, development of technical standards and guidelines, developing and promoting the need to manage our oceans and seas in a sustainable manner, and a comprehensive investigation of plastic pollution at source that is concerning global environmental problem (“Mapping the Plastic”).

The Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors (CICES) is an international qualifying body dedicated to the regulation, education and training of surveyors working within civil engineering.

IMarEST is the international professional body and learned society for all marine professionals.

IMCA's mission is to improve performance in the marine contracting industry.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors promotes and enforces the highest professional qualifications and standards in the development and management of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure.

Hydro International, a print and digital magazine, seeks and publishes the opinion of leading hydrographers on the state of the market, technical issues and national and international policies.

IHO Publications include:

Bathymetric Publications

Capacity Building Publications

Miscellaneous Publications

Standards and Specifications

Other Publications

Periodic Publications

Draft Publications

Almost all IHO publications can be downloaded free of charge. Some publications, however, are subject to restricted access