Annual Report 2004 (Of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic

Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission

Annual Report 2004 Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission

Annual Report Series 11

Annual Report 2004 Photo by Andrea Rasetti

UNESCO The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariats of UNESCO and IOC concerning the legal status of any country or territory, or its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of the frontiers of any country or territory.

Dates: Unless otherwise indicated, all dates are understood as falling in the year 2004.

Editor and Contributing Writer: Rachel Dahl Designer: Eric Loddé

Special thanks to contributing authors, and those who assisted in providing information and illustrations. In particular, sincere appreciation for the generous photographic contributions of Andrea Rasetti and the valued assistance of IOC’s documentalist, Patrice Boned.

For bibliographic purposes, this document should be cited as follows: Annual Report 2004 IOC Annual Reports Series No. 11, UNESCO 2004 (English)

Printed in 2005 by the United Nations Educational, Scientiﬁc and Cultural Organization 7, place de Fontenoy, 75352 Paris 07 SP, France

(SC-2005/WS/15)

Cover Photos courtesy of: (left) Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (middle) Andrea Rasetti; (right) Peter Franks, Scripps Institution of Oceanography Contents

Purpose and Role of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO ...... 1 Chairman’s Comments ...... 2 Executive Secretary’s Comments ...... 3

Public Awareness • Our Changing Climate, Guy Jacques and Hervé Le Treut ...... 6 • The Indian Ocean Tsunami ...... 12 • The Roger Revelle Medal Award ...... 18

Policy

• IOC Mandate and Action Plans ...... 20-21 • The Group on Earth Observations: The Earth Observation Summit II, Boram Lee ...... 22 • Small Island Developing States (SIDS) ...... 28-29 • Memorandum of Understanding between IOC and ICES ...... 30-31 • Regime Shifts, Marine Ecosystems and Indicators, Roger Harris ...... 32

IOC Programme Sections

Ocean Sciences • Overview of 2004, Umit Unluata ...... 38 • The Oceans in a High CO2 World, Maria Hood ...... 44 • International Project on the Development and Application of Indicators for Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management, Julian Barbière ...... 48 Operational Observing Systems • Overview of 2004, Keith Alverson ...... 50 • The Global Sea Level Observing System (GLOSS), Thorkild Aarup ...... 56 • The Coastal Module of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), Thorkild Aarup ...... 60 Ocean Services • Overview of 2004, Peter Pissierssens ...... 64 • Ocean Data and Information Network for Africa (ODINAFRICA), Mika Odido ...... 68

Regional Activities • IOC Subcommission for the Western Paciﬁc, Miguel Fortes ...... 72 • IOC Regional Committee for the Western Indian Ocean, Mika Odido ...... 76 • Capacity Building: Towards an Implementation Plan, Ehrlich Desa ...... 78

Annexes

IOC Structure and Personnel • IOC Ofﬁcers ...... 84 • IOC Member States ...... 85 • IOC Structure ...... 86 • Organization of Secretariat Staff ...... 87 • IOC Personnel ...... 88 In Memoriam • Dr Christian Le Provost ...... 89

• IOC Publications ...... 90 • IOC Participation in 2004 Events ...... 92 • Financial Report ...... 94 • Acronyms ...... 107 Purpose and Role of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO

The purpose of the Commission is to promote international cooperation and to

coordinate programmes in research, services, and capacity building, in order to

learn about the nature and resources of the ocean and coastal areas and to apply

that knowledge for the improvement of management, sustainable development,

the protection of the marine environment, and the decision-making processes

of its Member States.

The Commission will collaborate with international organizations concerned

with the work of the Commission, and especially with those organizations of

the United Nations system which are willing and prepared to contribute to the

purpose and functions of the Commission and/or to seek advice and coopera-

tion in the ﬁeld of ocean and coastal area scientiﬁc research, related services,

and capacity building. FROM THE CHAIRMAN

his foreword is being written in March 2005, just through capacity building; through development of data two months after the disastrous Indian Ocean exchange policies and procedures; and through leadership tsunami of 26 December 2004. A full account of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). The in- T of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Com- volvement of GOOS as part of the emerging Global Earth mission (IOC) of UNESCO’s involvement in the inter- Observation System of Systems has been another impor- national reactions to that event must await the Report for tant theme in 2004. 2005. However, I want here to pay immediate tribute to the magnifi cent way in which Patricio Bernal and the Secre- In this Report you can read accounts of many impres- tariat have responded to the call for IOC to provide a lead in sive achievements by our Commission. Nevertheless setting up an extended warning system for potential future there is no doubt that much more could be achieved if events. Member States have given us a great responsibility: IOC were resourced at a level commensurate with its re- we will undoubtedly justify that confi dence. sponsibilities. Our funding, which comes both through UNESCO and directly from Member States, is increas- During 2004 there have been other examples of growing ingly inadequate for the work we have been asked to do. popular and political awareness of the importance of the Further development can only happen if new funding ar- sea. In March I was invited as Chairman of IOC to chair rangements and enhanced Member State commitment a Group of Experts at the UN in New York, charged with to our programmes are forthcoming. A thorough review developing proposals for a regular process of Global Ma- of the budget and resources of IOC will be an impor- rine Assessment. Governments are now considering the tant issue at our Twenty-third Assembly in June 2005. implementation of these proposals. In October I was invited to lead an Asia-Pacifi c Economic Cooperation (APEC) workshop in Chile on the contribution of marine activities to national economies: for many countries these are often substantial. One of the continuing roles of IOC is to promote international cooperation in the science and services that underpin these activities. We do this in many Dr David Pugh ways, notably through our targeted science programmes; IOC Chairman

2 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 FROM THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY Public services based on atmospheric and oceanic observing systems

onstraints imposed on ocean research by the use of As part of their mandates, the individual vessels made it almost impossible to study the vari- observing systems initially integrated into ability of oceanic processes, requiring repeated sam- GOOS have been under development by IOC C pling in time. Even the so-called synoptic description in cooperation with WMO during the last of processes are always subject to some aliasing by the mere fact three decades. The Global Sea Level Observ- that those descriptions were not obtained by the simultaneous ob- ing System (GLOSS) for sea level, the Inte- servation of the whole process, but by sampling with a single ship grated Global Ocean Services System (IGOSS) for the collec- moving along a trajectory in space and time. As stated by Walter tion of data on the vertical structure of the upper layer of the Munk (2000) in the introduction to the book Satellites, Oceanog- ocean, and the Pacifi c Tsunami Warning System are examples raphy and Society (Halpern, 2000), ‘if I were to choose a single of permanent ocean services developed by the IOC, integrating phrase to characterize the fi rst century of modern oceanography, data from tide-gauges, vertical probes launched by commercial it would be a century of undersampling’. ships, fi xed and drifting buoys, deep sea pressure sensors, bottom seismometers, and orbiting and stationary satellites. The development of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), i.e. the integrated operation of a series of observing The development of these new capabilities in oceanography systems covering the world’s oceans, was the natural sequel of have enabled the development of permanent ocean services, i.e. international oceanographic research efforts. One could say that the continuous, routine delivery of information products con- GOOS is the continuation of ocean research by other means, or taining forecast conditions for a given set of ocean properties. better, that the natural and logical next step in large-scale ocean They are produced and distributed free of charge as public ser- research called for new ways of organizing research efforts. vices for the use of a wide range of end-users. However, the in- For science, GOOS addresses some fundamental limitations of formation upon which these products are based is by no means oceanographic sampling. restricted to public service applications.

The study of ocean variability and ocean predictability is essen- In an unprecedented step forward in interagency cooperation, tial for understanding the Earth’s climate and climate change. the thirteenth World Meteorological Congress (Geneva, Swit- Not all scientifi c understanding of oceanic processes requires zerland, 4–28 May 1999) and the Twentieth IOC Assembly repeated sampling in the time domain, but recognizing these (Paris, France, 29 June–8 July 1999) approved the fusion of limits has prompted the community to think ‘outside the box’ several long standing independent technical committees be- and propose solutions that can be collectively promoted and longing to both organizations into a single body: the Joint Tech- implemented through international cooperation. nical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM). The mandate of JCOMM is to supervise the techni- The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of cal teams of intergovernmental experts in charge of the opera- UNESCO presented the blueprint of GOOS at the UN Confer- tional systems for the climate component of the Global Ocean ence on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Observing System. Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992. The Rio Summit subscribed to the rec- ommendation made by the Second World Climate Conference The implementation of GOOS, put simply, is coordinated by (1990) to build a Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) IOC and fi nanced by the Member States of the IOC. The sci- and GOOS became the Ocean Component of GCOS. As such, entifi c community in oceanography has done a remarkable job GOOS is sponsored by the World Meteorological Organization in designing a light, cheap and distributed management for the (WMO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), new observation systems. However, moving an engineering the International Council of Science (ICSU), and the IOC, which system from prototype and research status to the operational acts as the lead agency for its development. domain implies signifi cant changes and several challenges.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 3 Examples of current public service operations supported by WMO Institute for Climate Prediction (IRI) at the Lamont-Doherty Earth and IOC through the JCOMM are: Observatory (LDEO) of Columbia University, in response to the needs of the oceanographic and Earth science communities for real- The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System time oceanography. The format of global analyses is standardized in (GMDSS) such a way that monitoring products can be compared for decision- GMDSS is an integrated communications system using satellite and making. In addition, the different data sets are available online. terrestrial radio communications to ensure that no matter where a ship is in distress, aid can be dispatched. Under the Surface Ocean– Wave, weather and climate services Lower Atmosphere Study (SOLAS) Convention, the GMDSS pro- The Wave Programme under WMO was established in 1984 to provides for the dissemination of warnings, weather and sea bulletins vide sea wave analysis and forecasting services. Codes for the real- broadcast via Inmarsat-C SafetyNET by all national or maritime time exchange and reporting of marine surface data, including direc- meteorological services appointed as issuing services. There are tional wave spectra, have been developed. National focal points for seventeen Metareas covering the world’s oceans where information the programme have been nominated. Now the programme is being to all vessels at sea is available on a 24/7 basis. extended to cover storm surges as well.

The Marine Pollution Emergency Response Support Sea ice services System (MPERSS) Navigation in ice-frequented waters is a hazardous operation. For MPERSS’s primary objective is to have a coordinated, global sys- this reason, national sea ice information services have been estab- tem in place for the provision of meteorological and oceanographic lished in many countries to provide support for such operations information for marine pollution emergency response operations through the provision of both climatological and real-time ice analy- outside waters under national jurisdiction. The areas covered have ses and forecasts. International coordination and cooperation in this the same geographical distribution as those for the GMDSS. activity is achieved principally through the JCOMM Expert Team on Sea Ice (ETSI) and through the Data Buoy Cooperation Panel The JCOMM Electronic Products Bulletin (J-EPB) (DBCP), including its action groups, the International Arctic Buoy J-EPB provides information on real-time oceanography. Its continu- Programme (IABP) and the International Programme for Antarctic ing evolution is being implemented at the International Research Buoys (IPAB).

The fi rst challenge is incremental fund- is not compensated by the incremental Our experience in IOC and in WMO is ing. The funding of ocean research has benefi t accrued; let’s say in the precision very encouraging and is based on inter- allowed the deployment of most of the of a given forecast. national cooperation. Many of the diffi - observing systems that we have today. culties can be overcome and the track However, the fi nancing of the sustained Starting from the global observation, at record of these two UN organiza- collection of data streams to be trans- each spatial and temporal scale there are tions show that is possible to operate formed into permanent ocean services, on specifi c properties of the ocean that are a global system that is inclusive to all which other societal, public and private related to that scale and others that ‘spill- nations of the world, providing pub- applications will depend, cannot rely ex- over’ to other scales. In theory, full fore- lic services to all its members. Clear, clusively on the funding for science. casting capabilities would be available stable rules are required to enhance only if all scales are properly sampled. cooperation efforts among members The second challenge is institutional This is a huge technical requirement and of the system. There is a fundamental building. Member States at the national challenge for the new engineering of ethical, or at least equitable, issue at level, and the IOC itself at the interna- global observing systems. stake. We are speaking of protecting tional level, need to decide on the insti- lives and the life-support system of tutional arrangements to support the de- Today, organizations that are prepared to our planet; we are all involved and velopment of operational oceanography. make immediate use of the increased data everybody should have equitable ac- Effective use requires organizations ca- streams produced by GOOS and that can cess to the information and the de- pable of processing data, and modelling, transform them immediately into use- rived benefi ts. generating and distributing information- ful ocean services only exist in very few products to end-users. countries in the south. However, these organizations do exist today in the devel- The third challenge is economic in na- oped world, both in the public and in the ture. Global observations constitute a private sector. In the developing world, particular case of all the observations the challenge is even greater and relates that can be collected. Their main feature to capacity building in the broadest sense is the very large scale at which they are possible, not only in science and tech- collected. For in situ observations, mov- nology, but also in policy design, man- ing from local to global networks, there agement skills, economy; capacities, to Dr Patricio A. Bernal is an upper spatial limit where private ap- quote Professor Nazli Choucri, both ‘in Assistant Director-General, propriation breaks down because the cost the know-how and also fundamentally in UNESCO of extending the local network in space it the know-why’. Executive Secretary, IOC

4 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 Public Awareness Photo by Dan Caldwell

After the tsunami - children in Devanampattinam, India.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 5 Our Changing Climate

or generations, human beings have been accumulating all types of possible information F about their environment and doing their best to predict its evolution. They have also constantly tried to modify the weather and the climate, in particular through the use of magical rituals carried out by priests or shamans.

We are now facing a situation unprec- GUYUY JACQUESACQUES isis a MMarinearine Ecologist,Ecologist, withwith HERVÉERVÉ L E TREUTREUT i iss a alsolso a S Seniorenior R Re-e- edented in the history of Earth, when a particular interest in the carbon cycle in search Director at France’s CNRS and a this impact of human activities on cli- oceans. He was in charge of the Joint Glob- lecturer at the well-known École Poly- mate has become unexpectedly real: al Ocean Flux Study Programme (JGOFS, technique. He develops numerical models the human race, partly unconsciously, France) and is Senior Research Director to help understand the climate system has begun to act as the sorcerer’s ap- at France’s National Centre for Scientiﬁ c and evaluate the impact of the human- prentice. Improving the living condi- Research (CNRS). During the past decade induced greenhouse effect. A participant tions of a global population that has he has written several books for students in numerous international programmes been rapidly increasing from two bil- and general audiences on marine ecosys- studying climate and the water cycle, in lion on the eve of the industrial revo- tems, the water cycle, and the exchanges 2001 he co-authored The Greenhouse Ef- lution to six billion today, has been between the ocean and the atmosphere. fect: Are we changing the climate?3 with made possible through the massive In 1999 he co-authored El Niño: Fact and Jean-Marc Janvovici. He also directs the use of fossil fuel energy (carbon, oil, Fiction1 with Bruno Voituriez, and his lat- CNRS Laboratory of Dynamic Meteorol- gas), which is only renewable at geo- est book, Climate Change [Le changement ogy, which studies the mechanisms, evo- logical time scales. The corresponding climatique]2, written with Hervé Le Treut, lution and forecasting of meteorological emission of long-lived gases into the appears this year. phenomena and the climate. atmosphere—principally carbon di- [email protected]

Examining data derived from models that authors Guy Jacques and Hervé Le Treut simulate past and future climate scenari- discuss the diverse consequences of cli- os, researchers agree that climate change mate change, and call for an international is indeed already happening now and that consensus to make the climate issue a the most likely cause is the burning of fos- central feature on world political agendas. sil fuels. IOC’s activities are concerned with deter- IOC is pleased to present a new title in the mining the role of the oceans in climate IOC Ocean Forum Series, Le changement change in order to lessen possible future climatique, which addresses the com- impacts on society and the environment. plexity of the interactions between the For more information: atmosphere and the ocean that regulate the climate, and discusses the scientiﬁ c http://ioc.unesco.org/iocweb/climat- debate on climate. In the following article, echange.php

1 Voituriez, B. and Jacques, G. 2000. El Niño: Fact and Fiction. UNESCO Publishing. (IOC Ocean Forum Series.) Available in English, French and Spanish. 2 Jacques, G. and Le Treut, H. 2004. Climate Change [Le changement climatique]. UNESCO Publishing. (IOC Ocean Forum Series.) ISBN 92-3-103938-5. Available in English and French. 3 Le Treut, H. and Jancovici, J.M. 2001. L’effet de serre - Allons-nous changer le climat ? [The Greenhouse Effect: Are we changing the climate?] Flammarion.

6 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 Human beings have constantly tried to modify the weather and the climate, Our Changing Climate in particular through the use of magical rituals. Photo courtesy of Adrian Martins

oxide (CO2)—is bringing a war.war. TheThe aastronomerstronomer UUrbainrbain range of unexpected global LeLe VerrierVerrier (1811-1877)(1811-1877) whowho modifications. Over the past waswas commissionedcommissioned atat thatthat few decades, the study of the timetime toto conductconduct anan inquiryinquiry climate system has therefore realizedrealized thatthat thethe stormstorm hadhad become a major focus of in- alreadyalready beenbeen activeactive twotwo daysdays ternational research on envi- earlierearlier inin thethe BlackBlack Sea,Sea, ronmental issues. Thousands northwestnorthwest ofof thethe wreckagewreckage of researchers from differ- area.area. InIn 1879,1879, anan Interna-Interna- ent disciplines are involved White Photo courtesy of Jason tionaltional C Committeeommittee o off M Me-e- in this effort, using the most Devastating ﬂ oods in Haiti in early 2004. In a warmer climate teorologyteorology wwasas ccreated,reated, ffromrom recent tools in scientific com- one may expect stronger atmospheric convection, modiﬁ ed which the present World putation and Earth observa- and possibly increased occurrence of extreme events and Meteorological Organiza- tion systems. Specific inter- storms. tion (WMO) originates. A est is paid to the study of past century was necessary be- climate conditions, which constitute modification of ocean currents as a fore the role of the ocean partner, a necessary reference in evaluating consequence of the ongoing global which is key in understanding cli- future risks. This research is also warming, or anticipating a new ice mate behaviour at pluri-annual time unique because it may have a direct age, reflects a confusion between scales, was fully taken into account. impact on shaping political deci- daily, seasonal, decadal, or centu- The International Geophysical Year sions, with deep social and economic ry-long fluctuations of the climate (IGY) 1957-1958 was the occasion consequences. The Intergovernmen- system. All these scales have re- for a systematic monitoring of the tal Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) ceived attention since the beginning Pacific and Indian Oceans. The El diagnoses scientific information on of climate sciences, but organized, Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) climate change, its possible impact international efforts have been more turned out to fully support research- on natural or social systems, and the unevenly distributed. Short-term ers’ efforts: its intensity during the mitigation and adaptation measures fluctuations have been studied for IGY reached a level that had not that are possible. more than a century. The motiva- been observed since 1941, demon- tion for setting up a weather predic- strating the large importance and To describe climatic change, it is first tion system came from the realiza- extension of the process. The time important to specify the time scales tion that dramatic hazards might lag between the systematic observa- that come into play. The frequent have been predicted a few days in tion of the atmospheric and oceanic confusion between widely different advance, such as the violent storm circulations is also reflected in the issues such as the rather immedi- that sank forty-one French warships development of relevant interna- ate fear of flood episodes, concern off the coast of Sebastopol on 14 tional institutions. The International over a more remote and irreversible November 1854 during the Crimean Oceanographic Commission (IOC)

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 7 Image courtesy of NASA Image

The reﬂ ection of a radar signal by snow or rain enables the Satellite Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission to deliver a quantitative estimate of precipitation, which also charaterizes atmospheric circulation.

was created within UNESCO only weather forecasts over the past sev- Although Svante Arrhenius, Nobel fairly recently in 1960, more than eral decades. These forecasts are Prize winner in Chemistry in 1903, eighty years after the correspond- now useful beyond ﬁ ve days. When had already predicted during the first ing meteorological organization. trying to extend the simulations to years of the twentieth century that The observation of the ocean is still longer ranges, one leaves the domain the increase in anthropogenic emis- insufficient, and the Global Ocean of meteorology and reaches that of sions of greenhouse gases would Observing System (GOOS) has only climatology: the model builds its bring about significant changes in just started. own climatology and behaves like the climate system, the concern for a planet by itself. The objective in those risks only began to take a sig- Another important revolution came this case is no longer to study the de- nificant place in scientific literature after the Second World War, when pendence of simulated results on the during the 1970s. This concern is the first computers became avail- initial state of the atmosphere, as in firmly grounded on a few undis- puted facts: the chemical composition of the Earth has undergone a dramatic change since the beginning This global increase in temperature, just like human of the last century. The analysis of body temperature, is revealing a change in the Earth’s air bubbles trapped in ice cores, as retrieved for example in the Antarc- metabolism. tic site of Vostok, shows that CO2 levels during the last 100,000 years have been oscillating between 180 able, and the first numerical models the case of weather forecasts, but the parts per million (ppm) during ice of the atmosphere were possible. dependence of climate statistics on ages and 280 ppm during intergla- The mathematician John von Neu- such forcing conditions as changes cial episodes. In comparison, the man and the meteorologist Julius in radiation, ice cover, and albedo. value of 300 ppm was reached in the Charney together were able to anal- Most parameters necessary to initial- 1950s, with a present level of about yse the circulation of the Northern ize and verify both the weather and 380 ppm. This tendency is the most Hemisphere numerically. The spec- climatic models are now available likely explanation for the recent tacular increase in computing power through satellite observations, which increase in global temperatures of and the development of satellite- also constitute a continuous source almost 1 °C compared with the pre- borne instrumentation has produced of progress for the models. industrial level. This global increase a regular increase in the quality of in temperature, just like human body

8 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 temperature, is revealing a change servations, which are always more in the Earth’s metabolism. The three numerous, and using increasingly warmest years since reliable statis- complex simulations of the climatic tics have been available were 1998 conditions to be expected during the (+0.55 °C compared to the average coming century, simulations which value for 1961–1990), 2002 (+0.48 are constrained by scientific laws. °C) and 2003 (+0.45 °C)4. By 2100 There is wide agreement on the fact the predicted resulting increase in that, contrary to the rapid variabil- temperature ranges from about 2 °C ity revealed by Greenland ice cores

to 6 °C, a change that would be of Jedrusiak Photo by Julien during the ice ages, the changes in unprecedented amplitude since the climate conditions that we have ex- last glacial maximum. A drastic rather than progressive perienced over the past few decades stabilization of greenhouse gas emissions is constitute a very unexpected situa- needed to avert signifi cant climate change. Inevitably the combination of sci- tion during interglacial conditions, entifi c, economic, social and politi- and have no equivalent since at least cal factors leads to much debate and as well as a means to increase pub- the beginning of our civilizations lobbying over the problem posed by lic awareness. The authors of such 5,000 years ago. Some have tried the increasing greenhouse effect and publications have a dual responsi- to explain recent global tendencies its consequences. Communicating bility: to provide their readers with exclusively as a response to a solar results is therefore a crucial task for some knowledge of the ongoing sci- forcing: this corresponds to a gen- scientists, particularly because ulti- entifi c debates, without falling into eral attitude that can be summarized mately citizens are the ones making decisions. The scientist must help The idea that recent global warming is causing the them to develop independent thinking on the subject by providing them observed CO2 increase is absolutely contradicted by not only with the facts, but also with some intuition of what is sure or un- isotopic measurements, which demonstrate that the certain. In this context, each citizen additional CO2 in the atmosphere is the result of fossil is both an actor and a victim: because of the rapid mixing of the atmosphere fuel burning. and the long residence time of CO2, a ton of greenhouse gas emitted in the trap laid by some debaters who by: ‘blame any process, but not the Europe, China or the USA has the exhume already settled issues, or use greenhouse gases’. In fact, while same effects—even if these effects facts that have proven to be wrong, we know that solar changes played are not distributed evenly. This com- to give the mistaken impression that a role earlier in time, and constitute mon responsibility might facilitate ‘experts still disagree’. Public voices a possible cause for the Little Ice the solidarity and international coop- have claimed that the ongoing global Age, 1645–1715, the idea that re- eration implied by the Kyoto agree- warming is due to the contamina- cent global warming is causing the ments. The publication of a series of tion of measurements caused by the observed CO2 increase is absolutely books by UNESCO and the IOC (El ‘urban heat island effect’ (an effect contradicted by isotopic measure- Niño: Fact and Fiction; The Chang- which is, in fact, cautiously fi ltered ments, which demonstrate that the 5 ing Ocean ; Le changement clima- out in all studies), and that the lack additional CO2 in the atmosphere tique) is a notable contribution to of greenhouse gases would cause the is the result of fossil fuel burning. the diffusion of scientifi c knowledge Earth’s temperature to be warmer, The media also expresses the hope reaching 160 °C and not cooler at that a new ice age might counteract –18 °C. Such declarations cannot the warming effect of the increasing be considered as a contribution to a healthy and necessary debate, but as disinformation. The same qualifi ca- 4 Global ocean-atmosphere models forced by tion also applies to papers showing greenhouse gas concentrations associated with the pictures of the Eiffel Tower standing scenarios of the Second Report on Emission Sce- narios (SRES) gathered by the Intergovernmental in a desert of sand dunes. In fact, the Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). scientifi c community has reached a 5 Voituriez, B. 2003. The Changing Ocean: Its effects on climate and living resources. UNESCO fairly broad consensus on many is- Publishing. (IOC Ocean Forum Series.) Available sues, taking the benefit of Earth ob- in English, French and Spanish.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 9 Ice cores taken from the Antarctic ice cap enable scientists to analyse the air trapped in bubbles in the ice in order to establish a record of greenhouse effect: such claims are climate variations over the past the result of a confusion between 800,000 years. time scales.

Using numerical models to predict climate changes for future centuries requires an assessment of human activities that are subject to changes. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is absolutely necessary to avoid a major climatic change. Stabilizing these emissions would not impede

A warmer ocean is more stable and has less

capacity to absorb CO2, which is not good news for our Earth.

some increase in global warming, whereas a more drastic stabilization of greenhouse gas concentration would still allow the climate to evolve for a few more decades, before it stabilizes again.

Are we nearing any solutions to this problem? Russia’s ratification of the Kyoto Protocol (so that now more © CNRS Photothèque – Laurent Augustin © CNRS Photothèque – Laurent

Ice cores, such as this one being taken from Mont Blanc, provide much information for climate scientists.

10 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 © CNRS Photothèque – Mario Colonel than 55 per cent of the countries rep- the Yang-tseu-kiang or the Huang- be internal to one component of the resenting more than 55 per cent of Ho in China. climate system: clouds, for example, the CO2 emissions are signatories) are still among the largest sources of means the Protocol will enter into A precise evaluation of these risks uncertainty within the climate sys- force on 16 February 2005. In 2005 addresses the huge complexity of tem because they affect both solar ‘carbon’ will be sold and exchanged a climate system in which not only and terrestrial radiations. We are in the main trade centres. This con- the ocean, the atmosphere, the crio- therefore faced with a situation of stitutes a necessary first step: cur- sphere or continental hydrology are global modification of the climate rent IPCC scenarios predict that coupled to each other, but also the system, bringing a higher level of global temperature might increase biosphere. Scientific programmes associated risks, at all time scales. between approximately 2 °C and such as the World Ocean Circulation The fact that these impacts cannot 6 °C in 2100. The lower range in this Experiment (WOCE), a component be described and predicted does not estimate corresponds to scenarios in of the World Climate Research Pro- diminish the likelihood of their oc- which emissions are stabilized. It is gramme, which dealt with ocean cir- currence. In a warmer climate one important to realize that CO2 is not culation (1990–1998), or the Joint may expect stronger atmospheric the only gas in question. Methane Global Ocean Flux Study (JGOFS) convection, modified and possibly emissions are also a concern, and carried out under the umbrella of the increased occurrence of extreme so are Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), Scientific Committee on Oceanic events and storms, and intensifica- which in addition to their effect on Research, evaluating the fluxes of tion of ENSO, either in strength or ozone are also powerful greenhouse carbon or other chemical species into in number of events. The share of gases. The consequences would the ocean from 1987 onwards, have the energy transport between the be very diverse: the Arctic sea ice shown that the ocean is responsible atmosphere and ocean may also be would disappear in summer, and se- for a carbon sink of two Gigatons affected, because vertical motions vere floods, or droughts might occur per year. The continental biosphere are inhibited in a warmer ocean. unexpectedly at various locations. has a similar effect. Both effects The possibility of a cooler Europe, An increase in sea level is already are holding down the atmospheric bordering an ocean where the Gulf observed: a continuation, caused by increase in CO2, but models show Stream would no longer reach the ocean dilatation, or by the melting that this moderating effect might be Northern Atlantic is more than just of mountain glaciers, for example diminished in a case of warming: a a sheer fantasy. in the Himalaya mountains, would warmer ocean is more stable and has threaten the very large populations less capacity to absorb CO2, which living near rivers such as the Ganges is not good news for our Earth. The in India, the Indus in Pakistan, or complexity of interactions may also

An increase in sea level caused by the melting of mountain glaciers would threaten large populations living near rivers, such as the Ganges in India. Photo by Adrian Martins

Photo by Andrea Rasetti

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 11 An Urgent Call to Mobilize: UNESCO and IOC Stand Ready

s 20042004 drewdrew toto a close,close, severalseveral c countriesountries inin t thehe worldworld werewere s stilltill a assess-ssess- A inging thethe damagedamage thatthat hur-hurricanes,ricanes, d droughts,roughts, f floods,loods, v volcanicolcanic eruptions,eruptions, andand otherother naturalnatural hazardshazards hadhad takentaken onon themthem throughoutthroughout thethe year. Then, at 0100 GMT on 26 De- cember an 8.9 magnitude earthquake took place on the seafloor near Aceh in northern Indonesia generating a powerful wave resulting in the strongest tsunami the world has known in over forty years. It surged ashore without warning in Indone- sia, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and even as far away as Somalia, leaving over 200,000 people dead, half a mil- Photo courtesy of Hellmut Issels lion injured, and millions more in need of basic services and at risk of The tsunami during the ﬁ rst seconds of its surge into Phuket, Thailand. As this photo clearly epidemics. The Indian Ocean tsunami shows, a tsunami is a rapidly-rising tide and not a giant wall of water, which quickly and forcefully ﬂ oods low-lying coastal areas. caused billions of dollars of material damage, and left countless families without livelihoods. Survivors recalled, “When the wave receded it On 29 December, Koïchiro Matsuura, had taken with it everything and in the very next Director-General of UNESCO, con- moment there was an uneasy calm. Within a few vened the Task Force on the Preven- tion of Natural Disasters, in order to minutes the wave had changed thousands study UNESCO’s response and its 1 participation. ‘We must work towards of our lives forever.” establishing risk-prevention policies, and towards extending warning systems available to the greatest number,’ combined with better preparedness in however, where developing countries he urged. ‘This is a domain in which the form of communication networks, face many other urgent problems and we have the means and the experience and awareness-raising programmes lack adequate resources, such long- to act effectively and quickly.’ that inform people about the actions term planning has, until now, been a they can take to save lives and limit low priority. In other parts of the world, notably Ja- damage, provide precious time for pan, the USA and Chile, among oth- hundreds of thousands of people to 1. Special thanks to humanitarian services volunteer, Dan Caldwell, in India for providing IOC with his ers, effective early warning systems, escape to safety. In the Indian Ocean, moving descriptions and photographs.

12 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 Photos by Dan Caldwell

Nagappattinam, India. ‘Boats were hurled a kilometre or more over sea barriers. Huge ﬁ shing boats were dropped like matchsticks along the seashore, crashing into one another and anything in their way. There were boats on rooftops and in backyards and piled on top of one another.’

31 December 2004 28 February 2003 Plans for a Global Tsunami Warning After Before System

IOC’s experience in the Pacific The International Coordination Group for the Tsunami Warning System in the Pacific (ICG/ITSU), operated by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, is currently the only tsunami warning system anywhere in the world. The IOC provides continuous support to the International Tsunami Information Center (ITIC) and the Tsunami Warning System in the Pacific (ITSU), which monitor, predict, and issue rapid warnings when tsunamis occur, as well as develop mitigation plans, store information, and maintain records on such events. The International Tsu- nami Warning System is one of the most successful international programmes ever undertaken involving twenty-six Member States with the direct responsibility of mitigating the effects of tsunamis, saving lives, and preserving property. Courtesy NASA/Earth Observatory Team Observatory Team Courtesy NASA/Earth

This pair of ASTER images contrasts before and after views of a portion of the western coastline of Thailand in the Phang-Nga province, about 50 kilometers north of the island of Phuket. In these images, vegetation is dark red, while bare earth is grey. On December 31, ﬁ ve days after the waves swept ashore, large sections of the shoreline are grey, stripped of vegetation or covered in mud and sand.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 13 Lessons from the Pacifi c for the creation of the Indian Ocean In a truly international effort of cooperation and tsunami warning system collaboration, IOC of UNESCO is bringing together In response to the Indian Ocean tsunami, the IOC/IGC, based on its mandate institutional partners, specialized agencies and donors and experience with ICG/ITSU, will who have offered support to discuss coordinating an lead an effort to use the experience of the current existing tsunami warning Indian Ocean early warning system. system in the Pacifi c to create the In- dian Ocean tsunami warning system. The existing system, which evolved Worldwide expansion — In a truly international effort of co- from the system created by IOC in a global early warning system operation and collaboration, IOC of 1965, consists of a series of deep water The possibility that the next cata- UNESCO is bringing together insti- measuring devices on the ocean fl oor, strophic tsunami will occur outside the tutional partners, specialized agencies which pass wave movement data along Indian Ocean basin exists and so, to en- and donors who have offered support to to surface buoys, and, in turn, to a sat- sure that appropriate warning systems discuss coordinating an Indian Ocean ellite. That information, and data from are available in all regions of the world early warning system. Plans to deter- an extended network of tide gauges, that are vulnerable to tsunamis, a major mine exactly what will be required for will be collated at new Indian Ocean plan to develop and implement a global a global alert system will subsequently tsunami centres. The expertise ac- early warning system by June 2007 is be established. An assessment of the quired in the Pacifi c can be rapidly ap- underway. This decision is consistent disaster’s impact on the biosphere and plied to the Indian Ocean for an imple- with the other in situ Earth observing ways in which man-made environmen- mentation date of June 2006, through technology that is currently being used tal damage, such as the destruction of the concerted action of Member States to build a Global Earth Observation coral reefs, may have aggravated the of the IOC. System of Systems (GEOSS). impact of the tsunami will be exam- ined, as well as natural disaster prevention and mitigation, including public awareness campaigns and education initiatives. IOC’s existing programmes already provide the framework for these activities.

To set these plans into action, two critical United Nations conferences will take place in early 2005:

10–14 January 2005: the Mauritius In- ternational Meeting will address the multiple environmental, economic and social challenges facing the world’s ﬁ f- ty-one Small Island Developing States (SIDS), which are extremely vulnerable to natural disasters.

18–22 January 2005: the World Con- ference on Disaster Reduction2 in Kobe, Japan, will draw up a framework for action to create a global early warning system and to increase international cooperation to ensure that the world reduces risk and vulnerabilities to natural hazards.

Several of the affected countries have

U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration U.S. shown strong leadership in responding to

Deploying a tsunami buoy as part of the International Tsunami Warning System. 14 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 Illustrations by U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration by U.S. Illustrations How the tsunami warning system operates: A series of deep water measuring devices on the ocean ﬂ oor pass wave movement data along to surface buoys, and, in turn, to a satellite. Such information, and data from an extended network of tide gauges, will be collated at new Indian Ocean tsunami centres.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 15 UN to play a major coordinating role. In 2 At the time of this Annual Report’s printing, the World UNESCO will do Conference on Disaster Reduction had already taken particular: place. A Common Statement of the “Special Session everything in its power to on the Indian Ocean Disaster: Risk Reduction for a Safer Future” was adopted at the conference, which help nations develop their A special Association of Southeast ‘recognizes the need to use the experience of the Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders’ meet- existing Pacifi c Ocean tsunami early warning systems, disaster preparedness ... 3 making use of the existing coordination mechanisms of ing will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia, 6 the IOC and other relevant international and regional one of the many lessons January 2005. organizations’. 3 The special ASEAN leaders’ meeting held in Jakarta we must learn from the on 6 January 2005 called for the ‘establishment of a The Ministerial Meeting on Regional regional tsunami early warning system for the Indian Indian Ocean catastrophe Ocean and Southeast Asia region’. Cooperation on Tsunami Early Warn- 4 The Ministerial Meeting on Regional Cooperation on is that tsunami can ing Arrangements,4 Phuket, Thailand, Tsunami Early Warning Arrangements, Phuket, Thai- land, 29 January 2005, decided ‘to take immediate and strike wherever there is a 29 January 2005. practical steps to enhance early warning capabilities in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Asia and to cooperate coastline. towards the establishment of interim early warning In June 2005, the Thirty-eighth Session arrangements and strengthening and upgrading of UNESCO Director-General of the Executive Council of the Intergov- national systems, while moving towards a coordinated Koïchiro Matsuura regional system.’ The Ministerial Meeting agreed that ernmental Oceanographic Commission a regional early warning system ‘shall be developed of UNESCO will fi nalize plans for the within the UN’s international strategy coordinated by the need to establish national and regional creation of the fi rst regional component the IOC of UNESCO’. tsunami warning and mitigation systems. of the global system, in the Indian Ocean, In addition, many Member States and or- foreseen for June 2006. ganizations from outside the region have offered their expertise and assistance for the development of these systems. In view of these developments a consensus has developed in several fora to ask the

Further information about the International Tsunami Warning System ‘If we don’t do this, we won’t have anything to eat.’ Despite feeling afraid of returning to the is available at the IOC/ITSU website: sea, desperate ﬁ shermen, unemployed since the tsunami, repair their nets. http://ioc.unesco.org/itsu/ Photos by Dan Caldwell

(Above) Blessing the sea: ‘We watched as boats that had received repairs were pushed back into the ocean. Then we gathered together for a sacred and beautiful Samudra Aarti [ocean prayer ceremony.]’

16 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 Letter by Dr David Pugh, IOC Chairman to Dr Nasser H. Zaker, Chairman, IOC Regional Committee for the Central Indian Ocean (IOCINDIO) 28 December 2004

Dear Dr Zaker

Please receive the deepest condolences from the IOC Member States, Secretariat and Ofﬁ cers for the suffering in the IOCINDIO Region. We have all watched in horror as the magnitude of the recent events has become increasingly apparent.

The absence of a tsunami warning system for the Indian Ocean has been widely queried after the event. I am sure this disaster will alert Member States of the IOC to set up urgently a system for the future. We must not forget that there are other oceans, notably the Atlantic, where tsunami, though rare, have been observed historically to precipitate disasters; and there are other ocean phenomena, including surges, for which there have been detailed proposals for warning systems. These proposals include one for the Bay of Bengal, most recently in the form of the MILAC plan discussed at the June 2004 IOC Executive Council.

Now could be the time to set up a GLOBAL warning system for ALL potential ocean disasters.

I hope that the Member State governments of the IOC, led by those Indian Ocean governments whose citizens have suffered so much in the past few days, will now make it an absolute priority to set up and maintain a warning system for ocean impacts. The IOC stands ready to provide the mechanisms for that cooperation.

Thank you also for the initiative you are taking in this.

David Pugh Chairman, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 17 C Roger Revelle (1909-1991) was a pioneer in oceanography and in global ocean science cooperation. His 1979 address on climate to the Eleventh IOC Assembly was a typical Revelle tour de force. As one of the ﬁ rst scientists to point to the role of the ocean in the climate system and in climate variabil- E ity, he began ‘I am about to describe what I believe to be the most important programme that has challenged the IOC in many years.’1 ...one of the L founding fathers of the IOC of UNESCO: The Roger Revelle Medal E

ow an established tradition, every session of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission’s annual Executive Council B Nopens with the hallmark Revelle Memorial Lecture. Named in honour of Roger Revelle, whose important contributions to the awareness of global change form the basis of many IOC initiatives today, the invited lecturer’s research reﬂ ects much of the same pioneering spirit and aspirations as Revelle’s, R and by association, the ideals that originally led to the creation of the IOC forty-four years ago. ToTo formallyformally honourhonour Revelle’sRevelle’s fo-fo- calcal rroleole iinn hhelpingelping ttoo ccreatereate tthehe

A IOC,IOC, DrDr PatricioPatricio Bernal,Bernal, IOC’sIOC’s ExecutiveExecutive Secretary,Secretary, announcedannounced thethe annualannual awardaward ofof a ‘Roger‘Roger RevelleRevelle M Medal’edal’ t too a allll R Revelleevelle MemorialMemorial Lecturers,Lecturers, startingstarting onon

T thethe occasionoccasion ofof thethe Thirty-sev-Thirty-sev- enthenth EExecutivexecutive Council,Council, 2004.2004. The Roger Revelle Medal recognizes outstanding contributions to the ocean sciences by inspired researchers who communicate their knowledge and global vision of the chal- I lenges facing our Planet in order to shape a better future for humankind. N Mrs Mary Ellen Revelle Paci, daughter of Roger Revelle, expressed her thanks to the IOC for this initiative and for offering her family the ﬁ rst IOC Roger Revelle Medal. This year’s lecturer and medal award recipient, Daniel M. Pauly, Professor and Director at the Fisheries Centre at the

G University of British Columbia, Canada, said, ‘I am not ‘His dream of equity in human rela- only delighted, but deeply honoured to have received the tionships, based on equal access to Roger Revelle Medal. It commemorates the work of a scientifi c giant, and being associated with his name – never education and knowledge … was in- mind standing on his shoulder – is something I am quite deed refl ected in every endeavour he proud of.’ undertook, including the rationale for Dr Pauly spoke on Upper Trophic Level Changes in Ocean- an intergovernmental body for ocean basin Ecosystems. His work is devoted to investigating the research that resulted in the estab- global impact of fi sheries on marine ecosystems, and has lishment of our Commission.’ led to software and scientifi c databases now used throughout the world, and to concepts structuring much research

Mr Federico Mayor, Director-General, UNESCO, paying in marine biology. Dr Pauly has authored and co-authored tribute to Roger Revelle on the occasion of the Twenty- numerous books, scientiﬁ c articles, and reports. His latest ﬁ fth Session of the IOC Executive Council, 1992 book is titled Darwin’s Fishes: An Encyclopedia of Ichthy- ology, Ecology, and Evolution (2004) and is available from Cambridge University Press. 1. Extract courtesy of ‘Roger Revelle and his Contribution to 18 International Ocean Science’ by the Honourable John A. Knauss, Revelle Memorial Lecturer, 1992. Courtesy of UCSD Libraries/SIO; by Eugene LaFond by Eugene Courtesy of UCSD Libraries/SIO; Policy UNESCO/M’Hammed Belmenouar

UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, France.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 19 MANDATE OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION OF UNESCO

At the Thirty-second General Conference of UNESCO, the Director-GeneralDirector-General wwasas aauthorizeduthorized ttoo aapplypply plplansans of action in order to:

I. ImproveImprove scientifi c knowledgeknowledge and understanding of oce- open and coastal ocean as well as the hinterland, particu- anic and coastal processes with a viewview to assisting Mem- larly by implementing the Global Ocean Observing System ber States in the design and implementation of sustainable (GOOS) and its related pilot projects and reregionalgional compo- policies for the ocean and coastal zones, through the ororga-ga- nents, and by increasing the capacities and participation nization and coordination of major scientifi c programmes, and full involvementinvolvement of developingdeveloping countries; responding to the mandate of the United Nations LaLaww of the Sea (UNCLOS), Chapter 17 of Agenda 21/United III. Continue the follow-upfollow-up to the Pan-AfricanPan-African Conference Nations Conference on En Environmentvironment and De Developmentvelopment on Sustainable Inte Integratedgrated Coastal Management (P (PACSI-ACSI- (UNCED), the Barbados Plan of Action for the Sustainable COM) through the de developmentvelopment and implementation of DevelopmentDevelopment of Small Island DevelopingDeveloping States, the Plan regionalregional coastal management projects contributingcontributing to the of Implementation of the WorldWorld Summit on Sustainable operational phase of the African Process in the frameworkframework DevelopmentDevelopment (WSSD), the Global ConConventionsventions on Climate of the enenvironmentvironment component of the NeNeww PPartnershipartnership for Change and BiodiBiodiversity,versity, the relerelevantvant Millennium DeDevel-vel- Africa’sAfrica’s DevelopmentDevelopment (NEPAD);(NEPAD); opment Goals (MDGs) and the regionalregional conventionsconventions and programmes; IV.IV. AnswerAnswer tthehe ccallall ttoo IIOCOC ccontainedontained iinn tthehe PPlanlan ooff IImple-mple- mentationmentation ofof WSSDWSSD toto supportsupport thethe developmentdevelopment ofof permanentpermanent II. OrganizeOrganize the collection of ocean and coastal observa-observa- capacitiescapacities i inn o oceancean s sciences,ciences, s serviceservices a andnd o observationsbservations b byy tions, the modelling and the production of forecasts needed MemberMember SStatestates ooff IIOC,OC, pparticularlyarticularly tthroughhrough WWSSDSSD TTypeype IIII for the management and sustainable de developmentvelopment of the partnershipspartnerships oonn ooceansceans wwherehere IIOCOC iiss iidentifidentifi eedd aass a ppartner.artner.

20 GLOBAL RESULTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN 2004

New knowledge is applied for the improvement of management, with a call from the Chief Executive Board (CEB) for a more dy- sustainable development, protection of the marine environment, and namic arrangement which would enable non-UN actors to contrib- the decision-making processes of the Member States of IOC. ute to the achievement of the Johannesburg Plan of Implementa- tion (JPOI) targets (Ref. CEB/2003/7). Following a request from The Symposium on Quantative Ecosystem Indicators for Fisheries the Secretariat of the CEB, IOC, together with former members of Management (Paris, France, 31 March–3 April 2004) was the cul- SOCA, contributed to the process that the HLCP lead for the defi ni- mination of work carried out by the IOC–Scientifi c Committee on tion of Terms of Reference and the establishment of the Ocean and Oceanic Research (SCOR) Joint Working Group 119 since 2001. Coastal Areas Network (UN-Oceans). During the Fifth Informal The overall objective of this Joint Working Group was to develop Consultative Process on the Law of the Sea (ICP V) (New York, a theory to evaluate changes (states and processes) in marine eco- USA 7–11 June 2004) UN-Oceans met twice and confi rmed the systems, from environmental, ecological and fi sheries perspectives. Terms of Reference and the preliminary list of members. The Working Group defi ned generic indicators that can be used in marine environments, fi sheries or for assemblages of exploited fi sh International cooperation and coordination of programmes is pro- populations or marine ecosystems and it formulated these indica- moted in research, services and capacity-building, in order to learn tors in mathematical or statistical terms; it determined which values more about the nature and resources of the ocean and coastal areas. of an indicator are meaningful statistically and/or ecologically and when to apply these indicators to specifi c data sets or when using The Earth Observation Summit (EOS), held in Washington, specifi c multispecies models (such as MSVPA, Ecopath, Ecosim, DC, 30 July–2 August 2003 was organized by the Government Ecospace, Osmose) in order to evaluate their usefulness. The out- of United States of America to ‘Promote the development of a comes of this meeting were presented at the Thirty-seventh IOC comprehensive, coordinated, and sustained Earth observation Executive Council and are being widely distributed through peer- system or systems among governments and the international reviewed publications. community to understand and address global environmental and economic challenges.’ SCOR and IOC convened an open symposium on ‘The Ocean in a High CO2 World’, (Paris, France, 10–12 May 2004), which The ad hoc Group on Earth Observations (GEO) launched at EOS highlighted recent research fi ndings that the ocean has taken up set in place the necessary follow-up machinery with a view to pre- approximately fi fty per cent of the fossil-fuel CO2 released to the paring a framework document in time for a Ministerial Conference atmosphere since pre-industrial times, and that this increase in oce- on Earth observations held on 25 April 2004 in Tokyo, Japan and anic CO2 is acidifying the oceans. The symposium addressed the a complete Plan of Implementation in time for a further Ministe- biological and biogeochemical consequences of increasing atmo- rial Conference to be hosted by the European Union during the fi rst spheric and oceanic CO2 levels, and possible strategies for mitigat- quarter of 2005. IOC has been fully engaged in the process, co- ing such increases. The symposium included plenary presentations, chairing the International Cooperation Subgroup (ICSG) of GEO discussion sessions on research priorities, and a poster session. Pa- with representatives of Australia and the USA. pers from the symposium are being published in a special issue of the Journal of Geophysical Research-Oceans and research priori- The GEO entrusted the ICSG with a task ‘to develop for the 10- ties will be published separately for the benefi t of ocean scientists year Implementation Plan a long-term, international organizational and research programme managers worldwide. strategy and coordination mechanism for a comprehensive, coordinated, and sustained Earth observation system of systems, building In the second half of 2004, the Panel followed up these activities on existing mechanisms and structures’ (quoted from ICSG Terms with publication of the meeting report on ‘International Research of Reference). It aims to establish international strategies, models, Priorities’, which attracted the attention of the world’s news media, and organizational structures that could be used for effective long- including the New York Times, Cable News Network (CNN), the term coordination of a comprehensive, coordinated Earth observa- Financial Times of London, and the British Broadcasting Company tion system or systems. Dr Patricio Bernal, Executive Secretary of (BBC). Scientifi c presentations from the symposium will be pub- IOC, is leading this activity as one of ICSG’s co-chairs. After the lished in a special-issue of the peer-reviewed Journal of Geophysi- considerable efforts of ICSG, the GEO agreed on the proposed prin- cal Research-Oceans in early 2005. ciples of this process through the negotiation among the Members in GEO-3 (February 2004, Cape Town, South Africa), and adopted On the other hand, at its Sixth Session held 18–19 September 2003, it as a part of Framework Document at the Second Earth Observa- the High Level Commission on Programs (HLCP) approved the tion Summit held in Tokyo, Japan (EOS II, 25 April 2004). creation of an Ocean and Coastal Areas Network, building on the Subcommittee on Oceans and Coastal Areas (SOCA) and in line

21 MOVING FORWARD ON SUSTAINED EARTH OBSERVATIONS: The Group on Earth Observations (GEO)

Thirty-three countries plus the European Commission, and twenty-one multilateral organizations met at the Earth Observation Summit (EOS) on 31 July 2003, and adopted a Declaration that signiﬁ es political commitment to move towards the development of a comprehensive, coordinated, and sustained Earth observation system(s). Recognizing the need for timely, quality, long-term global information as a basis for sound decision-making, the Summit participants launched the intergovernmental ad hoc Group on Earth Observations (GEO) to develop a long-term plan and strategy

BORAMORAM LEEEE, ProgrammeProgramme Special-Special- for Earth Observation. The goal is to build upon existing systems to establish a com- ist in the GOOS Project Ofﬁ ce, is prehensive Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) that will be as IOC’s representative serving on technologically interrelated as the planet it observes, predicts and protects. Such ef- the GEO Secretariat. Working with forts have continued through the second Earth Observation Summit (EOS II, Tokyo, subgroups and experts worldwide, Ms Lee is part of the team that de- 25 April 2004) to launch a ministerial-guided successor to GEO for implementing the veloped the comprehensive report GEOSS 10-Year Implementation Plan from 2005 onwards. forming the basis of GEO’s 10-Year Implementation Plan. round the globe, Earth international organizations have made [email protected] observing systems have signiﬁ cant efforts in developing such already demonstrated their systems to provide critical data. How- A value in responding to ever, linking these data and expanding various socio-economic needs, such the information on Earth observations as improving airline and maritime will add considerable power to existing safety, forecasting the weather, moni- systems and provide a quantum leap in toring water and air quality, and esti- our ability to predict and manage pro- mating crop yields. Governments and cesses of the Earth system.

The Earth Observation Summit II, Tokyo, 25 April 2004.

22 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 The experiment shown here was conducted during August, 2000 by MBARI MOVING FORWARD ON SUSTAINED EARTH OBSERVATIONS: to assess the role of iron on phytoplankton blooms in Monterey Bay, CA. The 10-Year Implementation The Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Plan for a Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) entails the coordination of a wide range of space-based, air-based, land-based, and ocean-based environmental monitoring platforms, resources and networks – presently often operating independently. Illustration by David Fierstein © 2001 MBARI by David Fierstein Illustration © 2001 MBARI by David Fierstein Illustration

The world is moving forward on sus- to further implement environmental Earth observations and the key com- tainable Earth observation; the World treaty obligations. ponents to be included in the 10-year Summit on Sustainable Development Implementation Plan, as well as the (WSSD) in 2002 and recent meetings To further this goal, the Summit needs and outcome of GEOSS. The of the G8 ministers have all noted participants launched the intergov- adoption of this Framework Docu- the need for improved monitoring ernmental ad hoc Group on Earth ment, while not binding any mem- of environmental processes, which Observations (GEO) to develop a ber or organization to any fi nancial would provide better data to support 10-Year Implementation Plan for a commitment, serves as a strong in- decision-making with regard to sus- Global Earth Observation System of dication of willingness to support tainable development and the use of Systems (GEOSS). This plan entails substantively the 10-Year Imple- natural resources. It implies that pro- the coordination of a wide range of mentation Plan for the creation of a ducing information about our planet space-based, air-based, land-based, Global Earth Observation System of has become a worldwide priority. and ocean-based environmental mon- Systems (GEOSS). itoring platforms, resources and net- The fi rst Earth Observation Sum- works – presently often operating in- The GEOSS 10-Year Implementation mit (EOS) was initiated and aimed dependently. GEO is currently made Plan itself will be adopted at the third at pressing industrial, political and up of fi fty-one countries plus the Earth Observation Summit (EOS societal questions. It affi rmed in the European Commission, and twenty- III) in Brussels, Belgium in Febru- fi rst Declaration (July 2003, Wash- nine participating international orga- ary 2005. It will require a long-term ington, DC) the need to support the nizations. commitment by governments to en- creation of a comprehensive, coor- sure that planned future investments dinated, and sustained Earth observ- A Framework Document that pro- in Earth observation capabilities are ing system of systems in order to vides the overarching guidance for developed and implemented in a monitor continuously the state of the the GEOSS Plan was adopted on 25 manner that advances the success of Earth, to increase understanding of April 2004 at the second Earth Ob- the Plan. The ad hoc GEO will com- dynamic Earth processes, to enhance servation Summit (EOS II) in Tokyo. plete its mandate of developing such prediction of the Earth system, and It describes the principal benefi ts of a plan by EOS III; responsibility for

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 23 carrying out the work of the 10-Year towards addressing the challenges as well as reduce the chance of Implementation Plan for GEOSS is articulated in the declarations of the hazards becoming disasters, by then expected to pass on to an agreed 2002 World Summit on Sustainable providing decision-makers with successor mechanism – tentatively Development and fulfi lling the Millen- timely and accurate Earth obser- named as GEO – a new organization nium Development Goals agreed at the vation data; that will support the realization of a Millennium Summit in 2000. • Understanding environmental new organization. factors affecting human health The concept of GEOSS will be com- and well-being: Earth observation The GEOSS pleted by full participation of develop- data transformed into information, GEOSS will be a distributed system of ing country members, which will max- such as risk mapping of health systems, building step-by-step on cur- imize their opportunities to derive real threats, indicators of environmen- rent cooperation efforts between exist- benefi ts in the above socio-economic tal quality, environment-related ing observing and processing systems areas. Such participation is supported health and well-being statistics within their mandates, while encourag- as it enhances the capacity of the entire will increase public awareness, ing and accommodating new compo- Earth observation community to ad- which in the long run will drive nents. Participating members of GEO dress global sustainable development better policy development to im- will determine the ways and means of challenges. prove quality of life; their participation in GEOSS. • Improving management of en- GEOSS responding to socio- ergy resources: Energy is a key The resulting system – a compre- economic needs market driver that infl uences the hensive, coordinated and sustained The Framework Document aims to life and economics of most coun- GEOSS – will enable the collection achieve advances in many specifi c tries. Challenges facing nations are and distribution of accurate and re- areas of socio-economic benefi t, in- related to exploration, production liable Earth Observation data, including: and transportation of energy, with- formation, products and services, out damaging the environment. delivering the benefi ts of these ob- • Reducing loss of life and prop- Earth Observation is a source of servations to both suppliers and con- erty from natural and human- information that can potentially sumers worldwide. made disasters: Better coordi- provide for optimization of energy nated observation systems could resources and their distribution Benefi ts of GEOSS save lives and preserve resources, while minimizing environmental Data derived from Earth observation sensors, instruments, and satellites are used to make important decisions in almost every area of life every day. Better data and improved analysis will help us to expand worldwide capacity and means to achieve sustainable development and will yield advances in many specifi c areas of socio-economic benefi t.

These beneﬁ ts will be realized by a broad range of user communities, in-

cluding: (1) national, regional, and oulsen local decision-makers, (2) relevant international organizations responsible for the implementation of international conventions, (3) business, industry, and service sectors, (4) scientists and educators, and (5) the general public. Realizing the beneﬁ ts of coordinated, comprehensive, and sustained Earth Copyright: 2004 © WFP/Anne Poulsen P Better coordinated observation systems could save lives and preserve resources, as well as observations (i.e. the improvement of reduce the chance of hazards becoming disasters. The small village of Barois, Haiti was totally decision-making and prediction abili- swept away by the ﬂ oods and landslides during 2004. Only a couple of houses survived. This ties) represents a fundamental step man lost all his animals and now survives by eating leaves.

24 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 Courtesy of NASA-JSC

Clouds from Space: This image over southern Brazil was taken from the space shuttle.

impact, as well as for direct inﬂ u- tor and predict weather in order and decision support systems should ence on relevant policies; to ensure human safety against provide assistance for land, coastal • Understanding, assessing, pre- extreme weather events, and to and marine management and policy- dicting, mitigating and adapt- enhance capacity and readiness making to implement international ing to climate variability and on a range of social and eco- environmental treaties; change: Natural phenomena and nomic activities. Earth obser- • Supporting sustainable agri- human activities have altered and vations can support vastly im- culture and combating deserti- continue to alter the Earth’s cli- proved weather forecasting and fication: Helping in the struggle mate. The development and fur- severe event warning schemes to eradicate poverty and hunger, ther improvement of monitoring and prediction capabilities is a necessary basis for mitigation and adaptation policies in support of Data derived from Earth observation sensors, sustainable development; instruments, and satellites are used to make important • Improving water resource management through better un- decisions in almost every walk of life every day. derstanding of the water cycle: Comprehensive Earth observation can help monitoring, management and development of water resourc- at global, regional and national especially in food-insecure de- es, leading to improved economic levels, and also act as a cross- veloping countries, is a critical production, protection of life and cutting issue for other GEOSS issue. Integrated global Earth property, and reduction of human societal benefits; observation including terres- Copyright: 2004 © WFP/Anne Poulsen Copyright: 2004 © WFP/Anne Poulsen suffering; • Improving the management and trial, meteorological, hydrologi- • Improving weather informa- protection of terrestrial, coastal cal, and agricultural parameters tion, forecasting and warning: and marine ecosystems: Enhanced will help sound decision-mak- There is an urgent need to moni- Earth observations, information, ing process in this regard;

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 25 Earth observation and relevant infor Oceanography and Marine Me- formation. teorology (JCOMM). This has also led to establishing the Integrated The above list of issues details only Global Observing Strategy Partner- a small part of the numerous areas; ship (IGOS-P), aiming to provide a GEOSS will be a very powerful tool comprehensive framework to harmo-

Photo by Andrea Rasetti Photo by Andrea for both scientists and decision-mak- nize the common interests of the ma- ers across many far-reaching fi elds jor space-based and in-situ systems and sectors. for global observation of the Earth. These efforts fertilized the GEO ini- IOC’s role in GEOSS tiative and following processes. As the focal point of the UN for coordinating Ocean Science and the The IOC provides a considerable development of Ocean Services, IOC contribution to GEO, through tech- plays a key role in ocean observations nical advice on ocean observations, CombatingCombating ddesertifiesertifi ccation:ation: IIntegratedntegrated ggloballobal and, as part of its mandate has been as well as support for the 10-Year Earth observation including terrestrial, developing the Global Ocean Observ- Implementation Plan. In particular, meteorological, hydrological, and agricultural parameters will help a sound decision-making ing System (GOOS). In the process IOC is deeply involved in incorpo- process in this regard. of developing the Framework Docu- rating GEO into existing implemen- ment and GEOSS 10-Year Imple- tation plans in oceanographic fi elds, • Understanding, monitoring mentation Plan, GOOS is recognized and vice versa, in cooperation with and conserving biodiversity: as an important work and guidance related ocean communities and oth- Various societal benefits derive for future action of ocean monitor- er Earth observation programmes. from biodiversity that forms the ing, modelling and forecasting. The Ocean observations, accounting for Earth’s rich heritage of life, which IOC is pursuing the establishment of approximately seventy per cent of can be preserved from human ac- an integrated, operational marine ob- the Earth’s surface, will form a ma- tivities with proper decision-mak- servation network through the IOC- jor component of GEOSS. Recogniz- ing and education derived from WMO Joint Technical Commission ing the demand, IOC will continue to

Tsunami buoy deployment: Ocean observations, accounting for approximately seventy per cent of the Earth’s surface, will form a major component of GEOSS.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 26 Photo courtesy of NOAA support GEO, either directly or indi- Today, although there are only a few States. During last August’s address rectly, by enlarging the current scope of countries in the south where organiza- at ‘Oceans: Interaction between GOOS. tions are able to make immediate use of Man and Maritime Environments’ the increased data stream, the challenge Dr Patricio Bernal, IOC’s Executive The IOC’s role in GEO will be extended of capacity building should be under- Secretary, explained, ‘Many of the to include capacity building. In 2003 in stood in its broadest sense possible; not difﬁ culties can be overcome and the Evian, France, the G8 countries, analys- only in science and technology, but in track record of these UN organiza- ing the outcome of WSSD, adopted an policy design, management skills and tions shows that it is possible to op- Action Plan on Science and Technol- economy. erate a global system that is inclusive ogy for Sustainable Development, and proposed a strategy for global observations, as follows: IOC is deeply involved in incorporating GEO into

‘To meet the objectives of the existing implementation plans in oceanographic fi elds WSSD, developing countries and countries with economies in transition need to build and IOC has valuable experience to en- to all nations of the world, providing strengthen their capacity to as- hance GEO’s capacity building, public services to all its members. similate and generate knowledge based on international cooperation, What are required are clear, stable for sustainable development. founded on a long history of activi- rules to enhance cooperation efforts We reaffi rm our commitment ties in programmes such as Training, among members of the system.’ Such made at the WSSD to assist them Education and Mutual Assistance efforts will contribute towards making through international coopera- (TEMA) and the Ocean Data and In- GEOSS a truly global network, and tion in enhancing their research formation Networks (ODINAFRICA, will ultimately provide societal ben- capacities.’ ODINCARSA, and ODINCARIBE) efi ts to every country in the world. that respond to the needs of Member

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 Photo courtesy of NOAA 27 The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO’s commitment to assisting Small Island Developing States

he UN Millennium Development Goals call for the creation of global partnerships for development and urge assistance for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). In response, the 129 Mem- ber States of the IOC have expressed their willingness to work together in a collective effort with T SIDS and other international organizations to develop the tools necessary to build marine science and observation capacity. These tools implement strategies that build resilience and capacity, and address the multiple environmental, economic and social challenges facing the world’s ﬁ fty-one Small Island Devel- oping States, including improved monitoring as a means of providing early warnings–critical for preventing hazards from becoming disasters.

The Mauritius International Meeting, 10–14 January 2005, will call to set up a system to help the world’s most vulnerable low-lying States cope with natural disasters. Apart from the tsunami devastation in the Indian Ocean, Caribbean islands are still recovering from four major hurricanes and tropical storms that hit their region last year.

The Mauritius International Meeting is organized by the United Nations and its agencies, including UNES- CO, to review the implementation of a programme of action for the sustainable development of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), agreed upon at a global conference in Barbados ten years ago. More than 2,000 delegates from 110 countries will be attending the conference in Mauritius along with United Nations partners, donor agencies, non-governmental organizations and civil society groups.

The integrated, sustained network that IOC can offer will help SIDS strengthen their regional and local institutions in marine sciences and services by providing technical assistance, partnerships and capacity building. IOC is poised to translate science and technology into action, and continue to develop the tools that will beneﬁ t Small Island Developing States in managing their large ocean domains effectively. Photo courtesy of UNESCO/Yann Arthus-Bertrand/Earth from Above from Arthus-Bertrand/Earth Photo courtesy of UNESCO/Yann 28 The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO’s commitment to assisting Small Island Developing States Photo courtesy of UNESCO/Yann Arthus-Bertrand/Earth from Above from Arthus-Bertrand/Earth Photo courtesy of UNESCO/Yann

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 29 PROMOTING INTEGRATED MARINE AND COASTAL MANAGEMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: IOC and ICES

he Intergovernmental Ocean- harmful algal blooms. It also provides tional responsibilities taken on by ICES ographic Commission (IOC) for a common approach to specifi c and IOC under the agreement. of UNESCO and the Inter- themes such as education, training and T national Council for the Ex- technology transfer. ICES is the oldest and internationally ploration of the Sea (ICES) signed a co- most prestigious intergovernmental or- operation agreement on 28 September ICES and IOC also undertake to begin ganization researching marine and fi sh 2004 for both bodies to work together on intensive efforts in working groups, resources. It was founded in 1902, has programmes to study the North Atlantic workshops, symposia and conferences nineteen member countries and six affi li- Ocean and adjacent seas. In particular, on themes of interest to both organi- ate countries. ICES designs, coordinates the agreement sets specifi c plans for the zations. Mutual access to the relevant and promotes marine research and also implementation of the Global Ocean committees and expert groups and the provides scientifi c advice at the interna- Observing System (GOOS), increased expansion of networking between the tional level. At present 1,600 research- cooperation in the management of data main intergovernmental organizations ers work on eight Science Committees and information including the develop- active in the marine sciences are addi- which, in addition to other research, ment of marine information technol- studystudy 135135 fi sheriessheries i includingncluding t thosehose o off ogy, and more studies on the increase in majormajor ccommercialommercial ssignifiignifi ccance.ance.

ICES research vessels at the harbour in Copenhagen, Denmark. ICES designs, coordinates and promotes marine research and also provides scientiﬁ c advice at the international level. Photos courtesy of ICES.

30 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 Memorandum of Understanding BETWEEN THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION (IOC) OF UNESCO AND THE INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL FOR THE EXPLORATION OF THE SEA (ICES)

Recognizing that: tion and advice to Member Country gov- cluding the following actions in the study ernments and the regulatory commissions of the North Atlantic: The Intergovernmental Oceanographic with which cooperative relationships have Commission of UNESCO, hereinafter been established; Intensify cooperation in the implementa- referred to as IOC, is a specialized United tion of the Global Ocean Observing Sys- Nations body with expertise in ocean sci- ICES is concerned with the Atlantic tem (GOOS) including its Open Ocean ence and services; Ocean and its adjacent seas and primarily and Coastal Modules; with the North Atlantic; The purpose of the Commission is to Develop structured and increased cooper- promote international cooperation and to ICES seeks to establish and maintain ation in the fi eld of data and information coordinate programmes in research, ser- working arrangements with other inter- management, including development of vices, and capacity-building in order to national organizations which have related marine information technologies; learn more about the nature and resources objectives and cooperate, as far as possi- of the ocean and coastal areas and to ap- ble, with them, in particular in the supply Further develop studies on harmful algal ply that knowledge for the improvement of scientifi c information requested; blooms. of management, sustainable development, the protection of the marine environment, The parties to this Memorandum of Un- Develop a common approach to generic and the decision-making processes of its derstanding do hereby agree to work to- issues by: Member States; gether in promoting integrated marine and coastal management and sustainable Cooperating through working groups In the effective implementation of its role development as follows: and task teams on education, training and the IOC relies on the network of the IOC technology transfer for third parties; Regional Subsidiary Bodies as mecha- PART A nisms of implementation and strategic el- Organizing joint workshops, symposia, ements in identifi cation of priority needs, Objective and conferences on key issues of interest formulation of, and agreement on regional This Memorandum of Understanding is to both organizations; cooperative programmes; being entered into by the IOC and ICES to work together to, inter alia: Facilitating mutual access to relevant The IOC has signifi cant responsibilities Committees and Expert Groups and co- in the implementation of relevant parts of Prepare specifi c plans to intensify coop- sponsor existing and new groups where UNCLOS, the UNCED Agenda 21, the eration, to coordinate programmes, and appropriate; UNFCCC, and the Implementation Plan to avoid unnecessary duplication in the of WSSD. study of the North Atlantic and its adja- Organizing joint policy discussions for cent seas; offi cers of ICES and IOC on future de- Recognizing that: velopments of and key issues in marine Develop a common approach to specifi c science and on the consequent develop- The International Council for the Explo- issues, for example, education, training ment of cooperation between the two ration of the Sea, hereinafter referred to as and technology transfer for third parties, organizations; ICES, exists to (a) promote and encour- or joint workshops, symposia and confer- age research and investigations for the ences on key issues. Intensifying and expanding networking study of the sea particularly related to the between the main intergovernmental living resources thereof; (b) draw up pro- PART B organizations active in marine science, grammes required for this purpose and to in particular IOC, ICES, and PICES. organize, in agreement with its Contract- Roles and Responsibilities ing Parties, such research and investiga- IOC and ICES agree to the following, as Include, as appropriate, the actions tions as may appear necessary; (c) publish appropriate and within available budgets: described above in the Programmes or otherwise disseminate the results of this and/or Action Plans of the two orga- work; and (d) provide scientifi c informa- Prepare specifi c plans for cooperation in- nizations.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 31 Regime Shifts, Marine Ecosystems and Indicators

he Intergovernmental Ocean- Defi nitions ographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO has recently • Ecosystem: A system formed by T supported research on ma- the interaction of a community of rine ecosystems, regime shifts, and organisms with their environment ecosystem indicators. Research on • Regime Shift: A sudden shift regime shifts in particular relates to in structure and functioning of a ongoing IOC programmes and IOC marine ecosystem, affecting one might contribute further to our un- or several living components and derstanding of regime shifts in the resulting in an alternate steady, future. sustained ecosystem state DR ROGER HARRIS is a Marine Ecologist • Indicator: A variable, pointer or working at the Plymouth Marine Labora- IOC together with the Scientifi c Com- index. Its fl uctuation reveals key tory, UK. He has particular research inter- mittee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) elements of a system ests in pelagic food-web dynamics. A past and the International Geosphere-Bio- Chair of the Global Ocean Ecosystems Dy- sphere Programme (IGBP) co-spon- namics Programme (GLOBEC) Scientifi c sors Global Ocean Ecosystem Dy- ing so that a capability can be devel- Steering Committee and the International namics (GLOBEC). This is a major oped to forecast the responses of the Council for the Exploration of the Sea international project with the aim: marine ecosystem to global change’. (ICES) Working Group on Zooplankton ‘To advance our understanding of the GLOBEC research has shown that the Ecology, together with Dr John Steele he structure and functioning of the global interconnections within ecosystems are organized the IOC-sponsored workshop ocean ecosystem, its major subsys- complex. A challenge is to be able to on Regime Shifts held in April 2003. tems, and its response to physical forc- identify key characteristics or indica- [email protected]

As a keynote speaker at the Thirty-seventh Session of the Executive Council last June, Dr Roger Harris came to Paris to brief the Commission on the latest advances in three research areas — marine ecosystems, regime shifts, and ecosystem indicators. In this article he examines regime shifts from a range of globally distributed marine ecosystems and discusses the ongoing IOC ini-

tiatives currently integrating research from Courtesy of NOAA several different international programmes Pelagic communities in several parts of the world have repeatedly shifted between a sardine aimed at understanding and managing dominated and an anchovy dominated state … the fact that oscillations between the two states long-term changes in marine ecosystems. show a remarkable synchrony in different parts of the world suggests some external forcing.

32 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 tors enabling comparisons to be made Regime Shifts, Marine Ecosystems spatially between ecosystems and tem- and Indicators porally within a particular ecosystem. Characteristics of regime shifts: examining the evidence Ecosystems show considerable natural variability. This is illustrated by records of the fluctuations in abundance of Pacific sardines and ancho- vies reconstructed from fish scales deposited and preserved in anoxic sediments off the coast of Califor- nia. The records over the past 1,700 years are characterized by abrupt recoveries and subsequent collapses and also the alternation of periods dominated by sardine and anchovy populations. These fluctuations occurred prior to any major influence by humans. More recently, fisheries Fig.1. Change of state in the North Pacifi c Ecosystem as demonstrated by the combined effect of 100 records have been used to show that biological and environmental variables (after Hare and Mantua, 2000). pelagic communities in several parts Reprinted from Progress in Oceanography, Vol. 47, Hare & Mantua, ‘Empirical evidence for North Pacifi c regime shifts in 1977 and 1989’, pp. 147-169, 2000, with permission from Elsevier of the world have repeatedly shifted between a sardine dominated and an anchovy dominated state. Despite logical time series for 1965–1997 adult salmon catch. The physical the dramatic nature of these shifts, primarily for the North Pacific and records included hemispheric scale the mechanisms responsible remain Bering Sea regions. The biological changes like those associated with unclear. Fisheries may play a role, data consisted of, for example, fish the El Niño Southern Oscillation but the fact that oscillations between recruitment estimates, zooplankton (ENSO) and also more local records the two states show a remarkable biomass and regionally aggregated such as annual discharge from major synchrony in different parts of the West Coast rivers. world suggests some external forcing. Circulation-induced changes Defi nitions of TheThe statisticalstatistical approachesapproaches usedused havehave between a ‘warm’ and a ‘cold’ mode beenbeen ddiscussediscussed bbyy oothers;thers; hhowever,owever, coincide with recent shifts. How- regime shifts followingfollowing thethe signaturesignature 1976–771976–77 re-re- ever, the relatively smooth changes • ‘A shift suggests an abrupt change gimegime sshifthift iinn tthehe NNorthorth PPacificacific tthehe in the physical environment do not in relation to the duration of a termterm h hasas b beeneen u usedsed c commonlyommonly t too explain the abrupt jumps between regime, from one characteristic describedescribe suchsuch abruptabrupt changeschanges inin thethe sardine and anchovy dominance. behaviour to another’ (Hare and abundanceabundance ofof particularparticular ecosystemecosystem Mantua, 2000) componentscomponents ( (oftenoften a c commerciallyommercially The concept of ‘regime shifts’ to de- • ‘conspicuous jumps from one rath- importantimportant ffishish species).species). scribe such changes is not new. It is er stable state to another’ (Scheffer implied in the early work of David et al. 2001) Subsequently,Subsequently, the term ‘regime‘regime shift’ Cushing (Cushing, 1982). However, • ‘a sudden shift in structure and has g gainedained wider currenc currencyy o overver the the term did not gain widespread functioning of a marine ecosystem, past ten years, leading to a varietyvariety of usage until more recently. In the affecting several living compo- defi nitions of the concept (See box development of the concept of re- nents and resulting in an alternate ‘Defi nitions of reregimegime shifts’ at left.) gime shifts the plot in Figure 1 has steady state.’ (Cury and Shannon, achieved almost iconic status. Hare 2004) SuchSuch definitionsdefinitions togethertogether withwith in-in- and Mantua (2000) analysed time • ‘an abrupt change in a marine eco- creasedcreased researchresearch interestinterest havehave ledled series of large-scale climate and system and its abiotic environment toto thethe identificationidentification ofof suggestedsuggested re-re- Courtesy of NOAA Courtesy of NOAA ecosystem change in the North Pa- from one stationary state to anoth- gimegime sshiftshifts iinn aann iincreasingncreasing nnumberumber cific. They assembled annual obser- er.’ (Wooster and Zhang, 2004) ofof globallyglobally distributeddistributed marinemarine eco-eco- vations of 31 physical and 69 bio- systems.systems.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 33 Reprinted with permission from Nature (http://www.nature.com/) Botsford L.W., Castilla J.C. and Petersen C.H., et al. 1997. has led to the so-called ‘Oscillating The management of fi sheries and marine ecosystems. Nature, Vol. 277, pp. 509-515. Control Hypothesis’ to explain the alternation of regimes within the Ber- ing Sea fi sh populations. Similarly, in the Baltic Sea, the German GLOBEC programme has identifi ed alternating regimes dominated by cod and sprat. A fi nal example from research in the North Sea based on the results of the Fig.2. Changes in species Continuous Plankton Recorder Survey composition of catches in a has proposed a regime shift in the late small mesh bottom trawl in 1980s evident at a number of trophic Pavlof Bay, Alaska, through the levels in the system. regime shift of the mid-1970s (after Botsford et al., 1997). Analysis of the characteristics of regime shifts indicates a number of common features. They are character- Together with the earlier work on the istically linked to large-scale regional alternation of anchovy and sardine climate forcing as indicated by links populations, the North Pacifi c provides that biotic feedbacks could be stabiliz- with the Pacifi c Decadal Oscillation the most widely discussed examples of ing a particular community state, while or North Atlantic Oscillation, for ex- regime shifts. The consequences for shifts to a different state are triggered ample. There are some indications that bottom trawl catches during the 1970s by physical events. they may be forced by fi shing pres- off Alaska are dramatically illustrated in Figure 2. Despite profound implications for fi sheries and other ecosystem Despite profound implications for fi sheries and other components, the mechanism of such shifts is poorly understood. In view ecosystem components, the mechanism of such shifts of the overriding importance of circu- is poorly understood lation for these ecosystems, it seems reasonable to expect changes in the oceanic circulation/weather pattern to Adjacent to the North Pacifi c, in the sure. Characteristically the ecosystem be the primary drivers. However the Bering Sea, alternation of warm and effects have a spatial scale of 1,000 ki- shifts are sometimes refl ected more cold regimes together with the inter- lometres. The abrupt change between consistently by the biological data than play between bottom up and top down states within periods of fi ve years and by the physical indices, suggesting control effects within the ecosystem the persistence of a particular regime may last for decades.

Many different types of change can take in ecosystem variables. The movement from one state to another can be linear and rather gradual, and may not represent any substantial change in ecosystem structure. The smooth and linear curve also suggests that the changes are reversible. The movement between states could also be rather abrupt in observation but still linear in that it is directly reversible, or could be fully non-linear, rather abrupt and non- Fig.3. Different possible interpretations of a common data set: The dashed lines represent reversible. There are, therefore, three conceptual models of the data: (a) a linear evolution of declining overall abundance, (b) an abrupt possible interpretations of time series but potentially reversible change in overall abundance, and (c) an abrupt change that is not directly such as is illustrated in Figure 3. Figure reversible as the system exhibits non-functional response. 3 shows that although some dynamic Reprinted from Progress in Oceanography, Vol. 60, deYoung et al, Detecting Regime Shifts in the Ocean: Data Considerations. pp. 143–164, Copyright 2004 with permission from Elsevier. systems respond smoothly to change

34 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 in external conditions (panel a), others sources in a sustainable way, protect- may change profoundly when condi- ing rare or fragile ecosystems, habitats tions approach a critical level (panel b) and species, and the conservation of or have more than one stable state over biodiversity. Faced with the complex- a range of conditions (panel c). ity of marine ecosystems there has been a desire to develop indicators How are regime shifts relevant which can be used to summarize eco- to the work of IOC? How does system status particularly in relation this research relate to ongoing to exploitation of marine resources. IOC programmes? How might IOC has also had a major role in de- IOC contribute in the future? veloping the indicator concept. It co- Clearly, one very important aspect sponsored the SCOR Working Group of the detection of regime shifts and 119 on ‘Quantitative Ecosystem In- associated changes in marine ecosys- dicators for Fisheries Management’. tems is through sustained observation The work of Working Group 119 cul- of the marine environment. Here the minated in a major meeting held at continued development of the Global IOC in Paris in early 2004. The strong Ocean Observing System (GOOS) participation and the variety and qual- will be important, particularly in rela- ity of presentations showed that this is tion to biological components of the a very active area of research. system both in the coastal and open ocean. The long-term, basin-scale In the previous year IOC also co- Fig.5. George Grice, member of the IOC survey of the North Atlantic carried sponsored a Workshop held in Ville- Secretariat, who passed away in 2001. The Ville- out by the Continuous Plankton Sur- franche-sur-Mer in France with the franche Special Issue is dedicated to his memory. vey, itself supported by the IOC, is a title, ‘Regime Shifts in the Ocean: good example of how sustained obser- Reconciling Observations and Theo- the leading experts in the fi eld under vation can be critical in advancing our ry’. This Workshop brought together the leadership of John Steele. The understanding of long-term changes proceedings have been published as a in marine ecosystems. Special Issue of Progress in Oceanog- raphy (Figure 4) and provide an au- Understanding regime shifts is im- thoritative state of the art. The Ville- portant for ecosystem management franche Workshop was held in honour coming at a time when there is inter- of Dr George Grice who himself con- est in developing an ecosystem-based tributed much to the work of IOC approach. The Reykjavik Declaration (Figure 5). George Grice, a member on Responsible Fisheries in the Ma- of the IOC Secretariat, passed away in rine Ecosystem is the latest instru- 2001. The Special Issue is dedicated ment emphasizing the need to man- to his memory. age whole ecosystems in the context of fi sheries management. Much of Some of the major outcomes of the the wording of the Reykjavik Dec- Villefranche Workshop can be sum- laration, with its emphasis on the marized as: structure and functioning of marine ecosystems, is almost identical to the • Observations and modelling should goals of GLOBEC, the IOC co-spon- be closely linked. Combining ob- sored programme mentioned earlier. servations in the ocean with math- As GLOBEC is showing, to study ematical models with switches be- whole ecosystems both in terms of tween equilibrium conditions has their structure and function is a major developed the concept of regime undertaking. A lot of work remains shifts. to be done to support the ecosystem- Fig.4. Outcome of the IOC co-sponsored • This has led to a revision of our based approach. Workshop held in Villefranche-sur-Mer in view of how marine ecosystems April 2003: Special Issue of Progress in respond to external forcing. Sys- Oceanography, Vol. 60, on ‘Regime Shifts There is increased international inin the Ocean: Reconciling Observations and tems can naturally occupy alter- terest in managing marine living re- Theory’ R.P. Harris and J.H. Steele (eds). native confi gurations as the exter-

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 35 nal world changes. A major future mankind, they must be stud- and southern Benguela. Progress challenge is to understand how such ied from many points of view. in Oceanography, 60, pp. 223– systems respond to anthropogenic While pioneering research and 244. forcing (climate, fi sheries, eutrophi- new ideas usually come from Cushing D.H. 1982. Climate and cation). individuals and small groups, Fisheries. Academic Press, Lon- • Evidence for bistable modes in ma- many aspects of oceanic inves- don, 373 pp. rine ecosystems remains uncertain tigations present far too formi- deYoung, B., Harris R., Alheit J., and mechanisms remain unclear. dable a task to be undertaken Beaugrand G., Mantua N. and The evidence for bistable modes by any one nation or even a few Shannon L. 2004. Detecting Re- induced by overfi shing is still cir- nations.’ gime Shifts in the Ocean: Data cumstantial. However, there are Considerations. Progress in potentially severe management The IOC projects GLOBEC and Oceanography, Vol. 60, pp.143– implications of ecosystems with GOOS, together with specifi c activi- 164. alternative stable states. A precau- ties such as Working Group 119 and Hare, S.R. and Mantua, N.J. 2000. tionary approach should take into the Villefranche Workshop, demon- Empirical evidence for North Pa- account of regime shifts in marine strate how fruitful such an approach cifi c regime shifts in 1977 and ecosystems. can be. These solid foundations will 1989. Progress in Oceanography, provide a strong basis for future re- 47, pp. 147–169. The conclusion from the Villefranche search initiatives on regime shifts Harris, R.P. and Steele, J.H. 2004. meeting was that there are exciting and and marine ecosystems. Regime Shifts in the Ocean: Rec- pressing research challenges for the fu- onciling Observations and Theory. ture if we are to understand regime shifts Progress in Oceanography, Vol. in marine ecosystems and their implica- 60. tions for human society. References Scheffer, M., Carpenter, S., Foley, J.A., Folk, C. and Walker, B. 2001. When IOC was formed in 1960 it was Botsford, L.W., Castilla J.C. and Pe- Catastrophic shifts in ecosystems. with the recognition that such challenges terson C.H. 1997. The management Nature, 413, pp. 591–596. could only be addressed by an interna- of fi sheries and marine ecosystems. Wooster, W. S. and Zhang, C.I. 2004. tional collaborative approach to put to- Science 277: 509-515. Regime shifts in the North Pacifi c: gether a fully global picture: Cury, P. and Shannon, L. 2004. Re- early indications of the 1976–1977 gime shifts in upwelling ecosys- event. Progress in Oceanography, ‘In order to properly interpret tems: observed changes and pos- Vol. 60, pp. 183–200. the full value of the oceans to sible mechanisms in the northern

36 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 IOC Programme Sections Photo by Andrea Rasetti

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 37 20042 0

ocean sciencescience

0 Programmes Overview By Umit Unluata, Head of Section

sequences of increasing atmospheric The Programme collaborated with and oceanic CO2 levels, and possible the International Atomic Energy strategies for mitigating atmospheric Agency (IAEA) in efforts to develop increases. Dr Maria Hood discusses and validate an alternative method to the various aspects and results of this the Association of Ofﬁ cial Analyti-

4 rather important Symposium in a sep- cal Chemists (AOAC) mouse bioas- arate article in this section. Following say for algal toxins. Cooperation was her article, Julian Barbière discusses established and formalized with the the important Integrated Coastal Area North Paciﬁ c Marine Science Organi- Management (ICAM) Programme zation (PICES) in the effort to expand activity concerned with the develop- the coverage of the IOC–International ment and implementation of socio- Council for the Exploration of the economic indicators for the manage- Sea (ICES) database on harmful al- ment of coastal areas. gal events, HAE-DAT. A joint expert consultation was established in 2004 Some selected highlights of the Ocean with the World Health Organization Science Programmes’ activities and (WHO) and the Food and Agricul- results obtained include: ture Organization (FAO) to review the Codex Alimentarius Code of Practice The Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) for Marine Biotoxins. Based on the Programme continued its activities in review the Codex Committee on Fish 2004 for the systematic enhancement and Fisheries Products will revise the of research and management capacity Code in early 2005. This will impact wo major symposia marked of harmful algae in Member States, all national legislation on marine bio- the Ocean Science activities including testing of innovative toxins and seafood safety. in 2004. The Symposium web-based learning tools. Individ- T on ‘Quantitative Ecosystem ual training and study opportunities Regarding IOC’s work on Indica- Indicators for Fisheries Management’ were provided to over fifty indi- tors as Assessment Tools, the IOC– held in April was the culmination of viduals in North Africa and South- SCOR Working Group Symposium the work carried out by the IOC/Scien- east Asia and the Second Edition of on ‘Quantitative Ecosystem Indi- tiﬁ c Committee on Oceanic Research Manual on Harmful Marine Micro- cators for Fisheries Management’, (SCOR) Joint Working Group 119 algae, which provides guidelines held at UNESCO in April 2004, was since 2001 (detailed further on in this on modern methods of sampling, attended by 250 participants from overview). The International Ocean identification, culturing, toxin anal- forty-three countries. The Working Carbon Coordination Project (IOCCP) ysis, monitoring and management Group was co-chaired by Dr Philippe Symposium held in May addressed the of harmful marine microalgae, was Cury, France, and Dr Villy Chris- biological and biogeochemical con- published in 2004. tensen, Canada.

38 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 California Noctiluca Bloom Photo courtesy of Peter Franks, Scripps Institution of Oceanography ocean science Programmes Overview

Fisheries are deeply embedded within an indicator are meaningful both statis-

ecosystems, which are now rightly tically and/or ecologically; and to ap- Photo courtesy of NOAA viewed as an integrative level for fi sh- ply these indicators to specifi c data sets eries management. The effects of fi sh- or using specifi c multispecies models ing on marine ecosystems have been (such as MSVPA, Ecopath, Ecosim, Several peer-reviewed journal articles widely recognized, as has the need to Ecospace, Osmose) in order to evaluate emanating from the earlier work of the move toward an ecosystem approach their usefulness. IOC–Global Ocean Ecosystems Dy- to fi sheries (EAF). Such an evolution namics Programme (GLOBEC) Study is being sought by society for all ex- The IOC–SCOR Symposium was Group on the Use of Environmental ploited natural resources. Fisheries are planned to support scientifi c aspects of Indices in Management of Pelagic Fish no exception. using indicators for an EAF, and aimed Populations were published in 2004. at reviewing existing indicators, as well A common database (of upwelling To meet this new challenge, a new as to develop new indicators refl ecting indices, sea surface temperature and strategy is needed that will elaborate the exploitation and state of marine eco- recruitment estimates linking environ- operational frameworks. This will re- systems. The Symposium also aimed at ment and fi sheries) has been devel- quire the development of quantitative evaluating the utility of indicators rela- oped. indicators at the ecosystem level, and tive to specifi c objectives. the defi nition of innovative reference The results of the workshop on Regime points to provide bridges between sci- The papers presented at the Symposium Shifts (in fi sh and other ocean ecosys- entifi c results, society’s needs, and an will be published in a special volume of tems) were published in March 2004 in effective EAF. the ICES Journal of Marine Science. a special issue of the journal Progress in Oceanography. This is a major con-

The overall objective of the Joint Photo by Andrea Rasetti tribution by IOC to a scientifi c Working Group has been the es- issue with serious implications in tablishment of the theoretical ba- fi sheries management. sis for evaluating changes in marine ecosystems (both states and The ad hoc group called ‘Indica- processes) from environmental, tors for Health of Benthic Com- ecological and fi sheries perspec- munities’ developed a database tives. The tasks of the Working on benthic communities and pol- Group have been to defi ne ge- lution levels in fi ve different re- neric indicators that can be used gions. The group’s work on sedi- in relation to the health of ocean mentary pollution versus species ecosystems, fi sheries or for an as- richness has been published in semblage of exploited fi sh popu- Marine Ecology Progress Series. lations; to formulate these indicators in mathematical or statistical Fishing is the most important activity along the coast of The Global Environment Facil- terms; to assess when values of Mozambique, which is frequently ravaged by cyclones and ity–World Bank (GEF–WB) fl ooding.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 39 Coral Reef Targeted Research and on reefs and livelihoods, which were cessful in securing a GEF medium- Capacity Building project (US$23 publicized on the IOC website. A size (US$230,000) project for train- million), which includes the IOC GCRMN report, Status of Coral ing and raising public awareness. Group of Indicators for Coral Reefs of the World: 2004 has been This project is a part of larger GEF Bleaching, was approved, with IOC published and widely publicized to Project (US$1 million), which also and the University of Queensland, stakeholders. The Report indicates a addresses an ecosystem approach Australia being designated as the myriad of problems concerning the to fisheries management, for which executing agencies. reefs and suggests remedies. IOC is the executing agency.

Regarding assessments, the Depart- Global NEWS (Global Nutrient Ex- An IOC–SCOR Working Group ment for International Development port from Watersheds) Group’s work was formed in 2003 on the topic of (DFID)/IOC Global Coral Reef Mon- on the estimation of current and developing basin and global scale itoring Network (GCRMN) South plausible future patterns of nutri- models of marine ecosystems and Asia activity came to an end with ent export to coastal ecosystems has involved the integration of research the publication of three monographs begun. The group’s work was suc- results from several different global programmes including GLOBEC, the Joint Global Ocean Flux Study (JGOFS) and the World Ocean Cir- Bleached coral can often take on bright attractive colours due to the coral pigments that are culation Experiment (WOCE). The left behind. In this photo, pink coral pigments dominate the otherwise white tissues. Group published its results in Sci- ence in June 2004, which was dis- seminated at the Thirty-seventh Ex- ecutive Council.

In IOC Programmes, geosphere-biosphere coupling processes in relation to the protection of the marine environment of the high seas is addressed through the Training-through-Re- search Programme. In 2003–2004, this programme published nearly thirty papers in refereed journals (listed at IOC Reports and website) and in 2004 was successful in securing funds from the Belgian Gov- ernment (US$250,000) and the EU project ‘Hermes’ (US$100,000).

In addition to its work on indicators, ICAM Programme’s joint IOC/Inter- national Hydrological Programme (IHP)/IAEA Project on Submarine Groundwater Discharge (SGD) in the Coastal Zone published a Guide on SGD in 2004. More than twenty scientific papers have been published in various journals including: Continental Shelf Research Jour- nal; Biogeosciences; EOS; Biogeo- chemistry; Hydrological Processes; Journal of the Total Environment; and the Journal of Environmental Radioactivity.

40 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 © Ove Hoegh-Guldberg © Ove Hoegh-Guldberg Jack Cook © Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Hole Oceanographic Cook © Woods Jack

Recent studies indicate that submarine groundwater discharge may contribute signiﬁ cant ﬂ uxes of dissolved chemical species to the oceans.

As a follow-up to the Pan-African Coastal Geographic Information Sys- deYoung, B. et al. 2004. Challenges Conference on Sustainable Integrated tem (GIS), development of State of the of Modelling Ocean Basin Ecosys- Management (PACSICOM) and the Coast reports, vulnerability mapping tems. Science, Vol. 304. African Process, IOC has led the de- activities, etc. Dickson, A. 2004. Guide of Best Prac- velopment of a project proposal on tices for Oceanic CO2 Measurement climate change adaptation in coastal and Data Reporting. PICES–IOC. zones and shoreline change manage- (In preparation.) ment through ICAM in West Africa. Selected Publication Hall, S., Etheridge, S., Anderson, D., This project has been endorsed by the Highlights from Kleindienst, J., Zhu, M. and Zou, Y. New Partnership for Africa’s Develop- IOC’s Ocean Science (eds). 2004. Harmful Algae Man- ment (NEPAD) Partnership Confer- agement and Mitigation. Singapore, ence on Environment as a direct con- Programmes Asia-Paciﬁ c Economic Coopera- tribution to the NEPAD Environment tion. (APEC Publication No. 204- Action Plan. The project has been ac- Alves, T.M., Cunha, T., Bouriak, S. et MR-04.2.) cepted to pipeline entry as a PDF-B al. 2004. Surveying the Flanks of Hallegraeff, G.M., Anderson, D.M. and project and will be funded up to US$1 the Mid-Atlantic Ridge: the Atlan- Cembella A.D. (eds). 2004. Manual million. IOC will be the executing tic Basin, North Atlantic Ocean (36º on Harmful Marine Microalgae, agency of this project, which is expect- N). Marine Geology, Vol. 209, pp. 2nd rev. edn. Paris, UNESCO. ed to start in March 2005. 199–222. (Monographs on Oceanographic Brewer et al. September 2004. The Methodology.) In a drive to improve the delivery of Ocean in a High CO2 World, EOS Harris, R.P. and Steele, J.H. (eds). useful ocean data products and servic- Transactions, Vol. 85, No. 37, pp. 2004. Regime Shifts in the Ocean: es for the coastal management commu- 351-353. Reconciling Observations and The- nity at the national and regional level, Cicerone et al. 2004. The Ocean in a ory. Progress in Oceanography, Vol. ICAM has taken a major part in the High CO2 World. Oceanography 60, Nos. 2–4, Special Issue. development of the ODINAFRICA- Magazine, Vol. 17, No. 3, pp. 72-78. Hyland, J., Balthis, L., Karakassis, III project, which was approved by the De Oliveira, J.A.A. and Butterworth, I., Magni, P., Petrov, A., Shine, J., Government of Flanders (Belgium) D.S. 2005. Limits to the Use of En- Vestergaard, O. and Warwick, R. in 2003. ICAM is organizing national vironmental Indices to Reduce Risk 2004. Organic Carbon Content of consultations in the participating coun- and/or Increase Yield in the South Sediments as an Indicator of Stress tries to identify stakeholder needs, as African Anchovy Fishery. African in the Marine Benthos. Marine Ecol- well as the development of targeted Journal of Marine Science, Vol. 27. ogy Progress Series. (In press.) products, including training for the (In press.)

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 41 Jacobson, L.D., Bograd, S.J., Parrish, Ten Veen, J., Woodside, J., Zitter, T. et 2004. Quantitative Ecosystem Indi- R.J., Mendelssohn, R. and Schwing, al. 2004. Neotectonic Evolution of cators for Fisheries Management. F.B. Environmental Habitat Area and the Anaximander Mountains at the ICES special issue for IOC–SCOR Biomass Effects on Surplus Produc- Junction of the Hellenic and Cyprus Symposium. (In preparation.) tion in California Sardine (Sardinops Arcs. Tectonophysics, Vol. 391, pp. The Ocean in a High CO2 World. Sagax). Canadian Journal of Fisher- 35–65. Journal of Geophysical Research ies and Aquatic Sciences. (In press.) Wilkinson, C. (ed.). 2004. Status of Cor- – Oceans. Special Issue. (In prepara- Lesser, M.P. 2004. Experimental Biol- al Reefs of the World: 2004. Global tion.) ogy of Coral Reef Ecosystems. Jour- Coral Reef Monitoring Network. nal of Experimental Marine Biology Yatsu, A., Watanabe, T., Ishida, M., and Ecology, Vol. 300, pp. 217–252. Sugisaki, H. and Jacobson, L.D. En- IOC Ocean Carbon in the World’s Mayers, A. and Cunha, M. 2004. New vironmental Effects on Recruitment News Media: and Little Known Corophiidaen and Productivity of Japanese Sardine Amphipods from the ‘Lucky Strike’ Sardinops Melanostictus and Chub Carbon Dioxide Extends Its Harmful Hydrothermal Vent, Mid-Atlantic Mackerel Scomber Japonicus with Reach to Oceans. New York Times, 20 Ridge. Journal of the Marine Bio- Recommendations for Management. July 2004; logical Association of the UK, Vol. Fisheries Oceanography. (In press.) 84, pp. 1019–1025. 2004. Harmful Algal Blooms in the Ca- Probe into Rising Ocean Acidity. BBC Mazzini, A., Ivaniv, M., Parnell, J. et al. ribbean. Revista de Biologica Tropi- News, 17 August 2004; 2004. Methane-Related Authigenic cal, Vol. 52 (Supl.1), Costa Rica. Carbonates from the Black Sea: 2004. Submarine Groundwater Dis- Acid Test for the Marine Web of Life. Geochemical Characterization and charge: Management Implications, Financial Times, 24 September 2004. Relation to Seeping Fluids. Marine Measurements and Effects. (IOC Geology, Vol. 212, pp. 153–181. Manuals and Guides, 44.)

42 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 Deployment of a mooring array. This array was extended over 1,850 kilometres between Oman and India in the Indian Ocean to observe and assess sediment ac- cumulation. © Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Hole Oceanographic © Woods

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 43 1 The Oceans in a High CO2 World

The oceans provide us with a valuable service by absorbing half of the carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted by the burning of fossil fuels, thereby reducing the impact of this greenhouse gas on climate. A symposium held by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO last May2 has concluded, however, that we may soon pay a very high price for this service. When over one hundred of the world’s leading ocean carbon scientists from different branches of marine biology and chemistry pieced together some of the best scientifi c information DR MARIA HOOD available, the results suggest that the acidity of the ocean is increasing IOC Programme Specialist – an effect that could seriously harm corals and other calcifying organ- Ocean Science Programmes isms, such as shellfi sh and some phytoplankton, the base of the marine [email protected] food chain. These changes may also alter the ocean’s ability to absorb fossil fuel CO2 in ways that are not yet fully understood. The May meeting went on to fi x urgent research priorities to investigate the possible consequences of an acidifying ocean on marine ecosystems, and to assess the safety of proposed geo-engineering strategies to mitigate the impact on climate by storing excess CO2 in the deep ocean.

The Good News data from nearly 10,000 stations around – Missing Carbon the world’s oceans from ninety-fi ve sep- arate expeditions and produced the fi rst Oceans absorb millions of tonnes of fos- Found global survey of carbon distribution in sil fuel carbon dioxide emissions from the the ocean. atmosphere every day. The resulting rise in Of the fossil fuel CO2 emitted globally, acidifi cation of seawater, combined with only half has accumulated in the atmo- Recent results from the global survey globally warming temperatures, could have sphere. The fate of the other half has have resolved the mystery of the missing severe effects on marine ecosystems. The prompted a decades-long search for the carbon sink: the data show that the oceans IOC is bringing together the world’s leading ‘missing carbon sink’. The two possible have taken up approximately 118 bil- experts from different branches of marine sinks for this CO2 are the terrestrial bio- lion tons of the CO2 emitted since 1800, biology and chemistry to synthesize and sphere (e.g. via photosynthesis) and the roughly 48 per cent of the total; currently, assess our current understanding of these ocean. The ocean represents the largest some 20–25 million tons of CO2 are be- potential effects, and to evaluate the poten- natural stockpile of carbon and has a dy- ing added to the oceans daily, calculates 3 tial benefi ts and impacts of proposals to namic interaction with the atmosphere the study, published in Science in July . use the ocean to purposefully store excess over 70 per cent of the planet’s surface. atmospheric CO in an attempt to stabilize The only direct method for calculat- 1. Abridged from an article originally published in A 2 ing the amount of CO absorbed by the World of Science. October–December 2004, Vol. 2, atmospheric concentrations and diminish 2 No. 4, pp. 2–5. Special thanks to Susan Schneegans its future impact on climate. ocean is through direct measurements on and Yvonne Mehl for their assistance with images a global scale. From 1990 to 1998, a mul- from the article 2. The Ocean in a High CO2 World. International science tinational research programme called the symposium sponsored by the Scientifi c Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) and the IOC of UNESCO. For further information: ‘World Ocean Circulation Experiment/ Read the report of the symposium and the IOC Watch- http://ioc.unesco.org/iocweb/co2panel/ Joint Global Ocean Flux Study’ amassed ing Brief at http://ioc.unesco.org/iocweb/co2panel/

44 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 Without the ocean sink, atmospheric CO2 would be much higher and its climate Today’s World High-CO2 World impacts more severe4. But scientists are (pCO2: 280 – 380 ppm) (pCO2: 580 – 720 ppm) now faced with a new question, ‘Will the oceans continue to take up almost half of the CO2 emitted to the atmosphere, even in a warmer climate with changed ocean mixing patterns?’ A second global survey and several international research programmes were launched in 2003 to address these questions.

The Bad News – New Pollutant Found

A second and perhaps more pressing question is, ‘How are these higher levels of ocean CO2 going to affect ocean ecosystems?’ Today, there is growing Figure 1. Scanning electron microscopy photographs of two calcifying phytoplankton concern that this natural service pro- under pCO2 conditions of today (pCO2 from 280 – 380 parts per million) and under the vided by the oceans may have a steep High-CO2 conditions expected by the end of this century. Experimental results show that increased CO concentrations lead to malformations of calcium carbonate shells. ecological cost – the acidifi cation of the 2 oceans. Photos courtesy of Professor Ulf Riebesell, Leibniz-Institut für Meereswissen-schaften, IFM-GEOMAR. Adapted and reprinted with permission of Nature (www.nature.com), Riebesell et al., “Reduced calcifi cation of marine phytoplankton in response to increased atmospheric CO2”, 407, 364 to 367, 2000 As CO2 dissolves in seawater, the pH of the water decreases, making it more organisms to secrete CaCO3 to form acidic. Since the beginning of the in- their skeletal material. It is this effect dustrial revolution, the pH has dropped Marine ecosystems that has marine scientists concerned: globally by 0.12 pH units5 . While these under threat since the oceans have never experi- pH levels are not particularly alarming, enced such a rapid acidifi cation, it is the rate of change and the downward Corals, calcareous phytoplankton, not clear how ocean chemistry will trend is cause for concern. To the best of mussels, snails, sea urchins and other change or how ecosystems will adapt. our knowledge, the oceans have never marine organisms use calcium carbon- experienced such a rapid acidifi cation. ate (CaCO3) in seawater to construct From experiments conducted to date, By the end of this century, if concentra- their shells or skeletons. As the pH almost all calcifying organisms have tions in the atmosphere continue to rise decreases, such as when water is more shown decreased calcifi cation in more exponentially, we may expect to see acidic, it becomes more diffi cult for acidic environments. This is true for changes in pH that are 3 times greater and 100 times faster than those experienced during the transitions from glacial to interglacial periods. Such large changes in ocean pH have probably not been experienced on the planet for the past 21 million years. Photo courtesy of NOAA 3. Sabine et al. 2004. The Oceanic Sink for Anthro- pogenic CO2. Science, Vol. 305, pp. 367-371. 4. The cost of avoiding CO2 emissions is currently US$40–60 per ton of CO2 (International Energy Agency Greenhouse Gas Research and Develop- ment Programme). By absorbing 118 billion tons of fossil fuel since the beginning of the industrial revolution, the ocean has provided a natural ecosystem service of the order of US$6 trillion. 5. The lower the pH, the more acidic the solution. Natural seawater has a range of 7.7–8.2 pH units.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 45 rine ecosystems over many decades. Scientists at the UNESCO symposium established a set of urgent research priorities and will be watching for indications that these ecosystem changes are occurring.

Mitigating the impacts? Many scientists believe that stabilizing atmospheric CO2 concentration at 550 ppm (parts per million) may avoid the worst impacts on climate. Atmospheric concentration of CO2 is currently ~380 ppm and, if no precautionary action is Figure 2. Increasing CO2 and sea temperatures can rapidly change coral reefs from healthy ecosystems (left) to virtual graveyards (right). taken, is expected to reach 550 ppm by Photos courtesy of Dr Ove Hoegh-Guldberg, Centre for Marine Studies, University of the middle of this century. Stabilization Queensland, Australia at 550 ppm will be a global challenge on an unprecedented scale. Accord- ing to the Intergovernmental Panel on both the smallest single-celled or- ceptible to disease and causing a loss Climate Change (IPCC), the most au- ganisms and for reef-building corals. of biodiversity. The second challenge thoritative source for scientifi c assess- Under such conditions, calcareous faced by corals is the increasing acidity ments of climate change, this may not phytoplankton, which constitute part of the water caused by increased CO2 be achieved through emissions reduc- of the basis of the marine food chain, concentrations. Lowered calcifi cation tions alone but rather through a care- will form thinner skeletons and thus rates affect the reef’s ability to grow its fully crafted portfolio of actions that experience diffi culties in growth and carbonate skeleton, leading to slower also includes investments to develop reproduction. This in turn may have growth of the reef and a more fragile low-cost, low-carbon or no-carbon en- profound effects on the marine food structural support, which makes the ergy sources, improvements in energy web, causing shifts in fi sh population reef more susceptible to erosion. By effi ciency and carbon management op- size or geographic location. the middle of this century, the estimat- tions. These include storing carbon in ed reduction in calcifi cation rates may the terrestrial biosphere (e.g. planting Coral reefs face two challenges from lead to a situation where we are losing trees, limiting deforestation), or cap- increasing atmospheric CO2. Firstly, more reef area to erosion than can be turing the CO2 emitted from an indus- higher CO2 concentrations in the at- rebuilt through new calcifi cation. trial source and storing it in geological mosphere are linked to warmer global formations or in the deep ocean. The temperatures, which in turn lead to Higher marine life forms, such as in- IPCC is currently assessing these op- warmer water temperatures. Corals are vertebrates and even some fi sh, may tions for their feasibility, effi cacy, and very sensitive to temperature change: be affected by lower pH environments safety, and calling for more research a 1 ºC to 2 ºC change in local tem- through acidosis (an increase in car- wherever information is insuffi cient to perature above their normal summer bonic acid in body fl uids) leading to make a sound policy decision. maximum can lead to a phenomenon lowered resistance, metabolic depres- called ‘bleaching’, whereby the corals sion, behavioural depression affecting Scientists participating in the UNESCO expel their vital algal symbionts (al- physical activity and reproduction, and symposium were asked to examine the gae which live in symbiosis with the asphyxiation. issue of the potential effi ciency and coral), leaving the coral tissues translu- ecological impacts of using the ocean cent. In 1998, a single bleaching event While these projections of our fu- to purposefully store atmospheric led to the loss of almost 20 per cent ture oceans may seem like doomsday CO2. Much relevant research has been of the world’s living coral. Corals can scenarios, we will probably never conducted in the past decade but the recover from these events but repeated see dramatic, rapid changes. Instead, potential effectiveness and risks of episodes are likely to weaken the coral there will be slow, progressive shifts ocean carbon sequestration have not ecosystem, making them more sus- in the equilibrium conditions of ma- been thoroughly discussed or assessed.

46 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 Moreover, the science itself has be- were eliminated, other nutrients and ocean carbon sequestration will con- come trapped in a tug of war between environmental factors would eventu- tinue to interest commercial com- environmental groups and commer- ally limit growth. panies, some of whom may attempt cial entrepreneurs seeking fi nancial to promote this technique without compensation for artifi cially seques- Another method of ocean carbon se- regard for potential environmental tering carbon in the ocean. Frustrated questration is to capture CO2 from impacts. Symposium participants scientists have asked the IOC to pro- industrial sources, compress it into a agreed that, even in the face of strong vide a safe-haven for scientifi c dis- liquid and store it in natural reservoirs ethical opposition, investigations into cussions, free from the infl uences of out of contact with the atmosphere, the technical and economic feasibil- outside interests. such as deep geological formations or ity of implementing this mitigation the deep ocean. Many important ques- strategy are likely to continue. The tions remain about the effi ciency and international scientifi c community impacts of injecting liquid CO2 into must be ready to respond accurately Storage strategies the deep ocean and experimental data and without bias to questions of po- are extremely limited. The effi ciency tential environmental impacts, long- and research of this method would depend on the lo- term effi ciency or benefi ts of this requirements cation and depth of the injection, since technique, considering it in the bal- the goal is to keep the injected CO2 ance of other options and the critical Debate centres on two methods of us- out of contact with the atmosphere for need to stabilize atmospheric CO2 at ing the ocean to store excess CO2. One as long as possible, while minimizing a concentration that will avoid the strategy is to artifi cially induce and environmental damage around the area majority of impacts on human life enhance the growth of carbon-fi xing of the injection. Reproducing the tem- and welfare. plants in the surface ocean. When these perature, pressure, and the biological organisms die, they sink to the deep communities found in the deep ocean ocean, carrying the carbon with them. in a laboratory is extremely diffi cult. In many regions of the ocean, phyto- Carrying out small-scale experiments IOC - Keeping Watch plankton growth is limited by lack of in situ in the deep ocean is also no sim- an essential micronutrient, iron. Over ple matter, often requiring the use of The ultimate objective of the United the past decade, eight small-scale ex- deep-sea remotely operated vehicles or Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is ‘to achieve stabilization of greenhouse gas concen- Frustrated scientists have asked the IOC to provide trations in the atmosphere at a level that would prevent dangerous anthro- a safe-haven for scientifi c discussions, free from the pogenic interference with the climate infl uences of outside interests. system.’ Whereas ‘dangerous anthropogenic interference with climate’ has been widely discussed, no such periments have shown that introducing special instruments that must be low- debate has taken place over accept- iron to iron-poor regions can stimulate ered to great depths from a research able oceanic CO2 levels. As a result, phytoplankton growth to 20–30 times vessel. there are no standards to apply to the natural rate. judge what oceanic CO2 levels should Moreover, several attempts to perform be considered tolerable for marine life Symposium participants agreed that experiments in situ have been blocked or how proposed carbon management iron fertilization experiments have by environmental groups over concerns strategies might moderate or exacer- been, and will continue to be, impor- that these experiments represent the fi rst bate effects on ocean chemistry and tant in understanding the links between step towards industrial-scale dumping. biology. The IOC will maintain its marine ecosystems and the global car- This has been a very divisive issue with- Watching Brief on ocean carbon se- bon cycle. However, all available re- in the scientifi c community itself, with questration science and will continue search indicates that iron fertilization many strongly opposed to ocean carbon to bring together the international and would be a very ineffi cient method sequestration, even to the extent of sug- intergovernmental scientifi c commu- for sequestering atmospheric CO2, gesting that the community should not nity to develop unbiased policy-rel- both from the viewpoint of the lim- pursue research on the subject. evant scientifi c information for use ited amount of carbon that could be by scientists, policy-makers and the sequestered by this method and the Unfortunately, because of the ocean’s general public. likelihood that, even if iron limitations large natural capacity to store CO2,

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 47 Photo by Andrea Rasetti tive to develop and test measurements The Handbook will provide a tool for de- International Project that can demonstrate ‘success’ in the veloping, selecting, and applying indica- recovery and sustained health of coastal tors to measure, evaluate, and report on on the Development and Application of Indicators resources as well as in the improvement the progress and outcomes of integrated of socioeconomic conditions of coastal coastal and ocean management initiatives. for Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management communities. The Handbook is intended as a method and a series of guidelines that could assist The achievement of ICAM objectives different types of ‘clients’: coastal man- will require the development and use of agers and decision-makers at the national indicators to monitor and demonstrate and subnational levels in the design, im- JULIAN BARBIÈRE Rationale management of coastal areas. Yet in spite progress and results on a comparable ba- plementation, and assessment of ICAM ICAM Programme Coordinator of these advancements, the conditions of sis across countries, regions, and project initiatives, practitioners and experts en- Ocean Science Programmes Following the United Nations Confer- coastal areas are deteriorating all over the portfolios. Whilst environmental indica- gaged in evaluation research, and donor [email protected] ence on Environment and Development world: pollution from land-based sources tors applicable to the coastal zone have agencies supporting coastal and marine (UNCED), held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil still represents 75–80 per cent of total typically been developed, examples of management projects and programmes. STEFANO BELFIORE in 1992, Integrated Coastal Area Manage- marine pollution, with 90 per cent of ur- indicators that describe socioeconomic The Handbook in preparation contains National Oceanic and ment (ICAM) has known an impressive ban wastes and 70 per cent of industrial costs and benefi ts in coastal zones are suggestions on how to prioritize ICAM (b) A special issue of the Journal Ocean Atmospheric Administration growth in both developed and developing wastes discharged into the sea without rare, particularly at the national level. issues, defi ne measurable objectives for & Coastal Management, Volume 46, National Ocean Service, countries. In 1993, 75 countries, semi- treatment in developing countries; over- ICAM programmes and projects, and Issue 3-4 on The Role of Indicators International Program Offi ce sovereign states, and international orga- exploitation of fi shery resources in the While efforts have been made to monitor identify meaningful indicators to moni- in Integrated Coastal Management, nizations were engaged in 217 ICAM coastal zone and on the continental shelf ICAM progress at the global, regional, tor the implementation and results of such in 2003; efforts at the national, subnational, and in- does not come to a halt, with three-quar- national, and programme level, the use programmes and projects. (c) A Handbook companion volume of ternational levels. In 2002, 145 countries, ters of fi sh stocks in need of urgent man- of governance performance indicators is case studies in development and ap- semi-sovereign states, and international agement measures; and proper land use still in its beginning stages. Diffi culties The structure of the Handbook is built plication of indicators for ICAM (to organizations had initiated 698 ICAM in coastal areas and use of environmental are most apparent in tying ICAM efforts around three main types of indicators be prepared as the testing and refi ne- initiatives at the same levels. These efforts impact assessments are not yet routinely to on-the-ground outcomes and the attri- – environmental, socioeconomic, and ment component of the exercise); greatly differ in the type and scope, time implemented with consequent continuing bution of effects to ICAM programmes governance performance – and includes (d) A regularly updated website with re- span and fi nancial resources committed, loss of coastal habitats and biodiversity to remains an open issue. an introduction to ICAM, suggestions sults from the project, publications, a ICAM assists IOC Member States in de- as well as in the actual level of imple- human uses. on how to optimize relationships among clearinghouse of projects, and links veloping holistic management policies mentation. Nevertheless, there is clear In response to the above, a Pilot Pro- these dimensions, and elements for further (www.globaloceans.org); to address the economic, environmental indication that nearly all coastal states and The apparent failure of ICAM in many gramme was established in 2003 under research on indicators. In order to validate (e) A possible pilot decision-support and social pressures that converge in the their respective subnational authorities, as efforts worldwide in ensuring the envi- the auspice of the Intergovernmental and receive feedbacks from potential us- tool in the form of the ‘dashboard of world’s coastal areas. In order to ensure the well as international organizations, have ronmental health of coastal ecosystems Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of ers, the Handbook will be tested in ex- sustainability’ developed by the Joint environmental health of coastal ecosys- undertaken ICAM initiatives that include while obtaining benefi ts from coastal de- UNESCO, and in collaboration with isting ICAM programmes and projects Research Centre of the European tems while obtaining benefi ts from coastal coastal management programmes and velopment makes the development and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans around the world. As a result, the Hand- Commission, derived from one of the development, a new IOC–Pilot Project has projects, new legislation targeting coastal monitoring of appropriate indicators a ne- (Canada), the U.S. National Oceanic and book should be used in conjunction with case studies; and been developed to promote a more out- issues, and new institutions vested with cessity to track implementation of ICAM Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the companion collection of case studies, (f) A training module to be delivered come-oriented approach to the selection authority over coastal zones. both in terms of process and outcomes. and the Center for Marine Policy (Uni- providing examples of development and on site (e.g. through IOC regional and application of indicators. The project The international guidelines for ICAM versity of Delaware, USA) to promote the application of indicators through vali- offi ces) and online at the request of will measure the progress and effective- Over thirty years of practical experience and the scientifi c and technical literature development and use of ICAM indicators. dation and testing of the approach. The countries, to be developed in 2005. ness of the numerous longstanding ICAM in ICAM and the formulation of a number recommend the use of indicators to ap- The IOC–Pilot Project intends to promote Handbook is expected to be published in efforts undertaken all over the world. of guidelines for ICAM by international praise the effectiveness of the numerous a more outcome-oriented approach to the 2005. The indicator project can be conceived as organizations have allowed a series of and longstanding ICAM efforts undertak- selection and application of indicators to an open-ended initiative, susceptible to good practices of broad application for en all over the world at all geographical measure the progress and effectiveness of Other products broad participation also through interfac- For further information: ICAM to elaborate and establish itself as scales. With almost 700 ICAM initiatives ICAM interventions. ing with global and regional observation http://ioc.unesco.org/icam a model approach for the planning and recorded during the 1990s, it is impera- The Handbook intends to be useful to dif- and monitoring programmes and to initia- Programme outputs ferent kinds of users and is conceived as tives of regional or more sectoral scope part of an IOC toolkit on ICAM indica- (e.g. marine protected areas, coastal tour- The main programme output will be the tors that includes: ism, or integrated coastal area and river development of a Handbook for Assess- basin management). In this regard, the

Photo by Andrea Rasetti Photo by Andrea ing and Reporting on the Progress and (a) The Reference Guide on the Use of opportunity to ensure wider dissemina- Outcomes of Integrated Coastal Area Indicators for Integrated Coastal tion of the products through different lan- Management, by an international group Management, already published in guages will be considered. of leading experts in ICAM. 2003 as IOC Manual and Guide 45;

48 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 49 Photo by Andrea Rasetti tive to develop and test measurements The Handbook will provide a tool for de- International Project that can demonstrate ‘success’ in the veloping, selecting, and applying indica- recovery and sustained health of coastal tors to measure, evaluate, and report on on the Development and Application of Indicators resources as well as in the improvement the progress and outcomes of integrated of socioeconomic conditions of coastal coastal and ocean management initiatives. for Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management communities. The Handbook is intended as a method and a series of guidelines that could assist The achievement of ICAM objectives different types of ‘clients’: coastal man- will require the development and use of agers and decision-makers at the national indicators to monitor and demonstrate and subnational levels in the design, im- JULIAN BARBIÈRE Rationale management of coastal areas. Yet in spite progress and results on a comparable ba- plementation, and assessment of ICAM ICAM Programme Coordinator of these advancements, the conditions of sis across countries, regions, and project initiatives, practitioners and experts en- Ocean Science Programmes Following the United Nations Confer- coastal areas are deteriorating all over the portfolios. Whilst environmental indica- gaged in evaluation research, and donor [email protected] ence on Environment and Development world: pollution from land-based sources tors applicable to the coastal zone have agencies supporting coastal and marine (UNCED), held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil still represents 75–80 per cent of total typically been developed, examples of management projects and programmes. STEFANO BELFIORE in 1992, Integrated Coastal Area Manage- marine pollution, with 90 per cent of ur- indicators that describe socioeconomic The Handbook in preparation contains National Oceanic and ment (ICAM) has known an impressive ban wastes and 70 per cent of industrial costs and benefi ts in coastal zones are suggestions on how to prioritize ICAM (b) A special issue of the Journal Ocean Atmospheric Administration growth in both developed and developing wastes discharged into the sea without rare, particularly at the national level. issues, defi ne measurable objectives for & Coastal Management, Volume 46, National Ocean Service, countries. In 1993, 75 countries, semi- treatment in developing countries; over- ICAM programmes and projects, and Issue 3-4 on The Role of Indicators International Program Offi ce sovereign states, and international orga- exploitation of fi shery resources in the While efforts have been made to monitor identify meaningful indicators to moni- in Integrated Coastal Management, nizations were engaged in 217 ICAM coastal zone and on the continental shelf ICAM progress at the global, regional, tor the implementation and results of such in 2003; efforts at the national, subnational, and in- does not come to a halt, with three-quar- national, and programme level, the use programmes and projects. (c) A Handbook companion volume of ternational levels. In 2002, 145 countries, ters of fi sh stocks in need of urgent man- of governance performance indicators is case studies in development and ap- semi-sovereign states, and international agement measures; and proper land use still in its beginning stages. Diffi culties The structure of the Handbook is built plication of indicators for ICAM (to organizations had initiated 698 ICAM in coastal areas and use of environmental are most apparent in tying ICAM efforts around three main types of indicators be prepared as the testing and refi ne- initiatives at the same levels. These efforts impact assessments are not yet routinely to on-the-ground outcomes and the attri- – environmental, socioeconomic, and ment component of the exercise); greatly differ in the type and scope, time implemented with consequent continuing bution of effects to ICAM programmes governance performance – and includes (d) A regularly updated website with re- span and fi nancial resources committed, loss of coastal habitats and biodiversity to remains an open issue. an introduction to ICAM, suggestions sults from the project, publications, a ICAM assists IOC Member States in de- as well as in the actual level of imple- human uses. on how to optimize relationships among clearinghouse of projects, and links veloping holistic management policies mentation. Nevertheless, there is clear In response to the above, a Pilot Pro- these dimensions, and elements for further (www.globaloceans.org); to address the economic, environmental indication that nearly all coastal states and The apparent failure of ICAM in many gramme was established in 2003 under research on indicators. In order to validate (e) A possible pilot decision-support and social pressures that converge in the their respective subnational authorities, as efforts worldwide in ensuring the envi- the auspice of the Intergovernmental and receive feedbacks from potential us- tool in the form of the ‘dashboard of world’s coastal areas. In order to ensure the well as international organizations, have ronmental health of coastal ecosystems Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of ers, the Handbook will be tested in ex- sustainability’ developed by the Joint environmental health of coastal ecosys- undertaken ICAM initiatives that include while obtaining benefi ts from coastal de- UNESCO, and in collaboration with isting ICAM programmes and projects Research Centre of the European tems while obtaining benefi ts from coastal coastal management programmes and velopment makes the development and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans around the world. As a result, the Hand- Commission, derived from one of the development, a new IOC–Pilot Project has projects, new legislation targeting coastal monitoring of appropriate indicators a ne- (Canada), the U.S. National Oceanic and book should be used in conjunction with case studies; and been developed to promote a more out- issues, and new institutions vested with cessity to track implementation of ICAM Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the companion collection of case studies, (f) A training module to be delivered come-oriented approach to the selection authority over coastal zones. both in terms of process and outcomes. and the Center for Marine Policy (Uni- providing examples of development and on site (e.g. through IOC regional and application of indicators. The project The international guidelines for ICAM versity of Delaware, USA) to promote the application of indicators through vali- offi ces) and online at the request of will measure the progress and effective- Over thirty years of practical experience and the scientifi c and technical literature development and use of ICAM indicators. dation and testing of the approach. The countries, to be developed in 2005. ness of the numerous longstanding ICAM in ICAM and the formulation of a number recommend the use of indicators to ap- The IOC–Pilot Project intends to promote Handbook is expected to be published in efforts undertaken all over the world. of guidelines for ICAM by international praise the effectiveness of the numerous a more outcome-oriented approach to the 2005. The indicator project can be conceived as organizations have allowed a series of and longstanding ICAM efforts undertak- selection and application of indicators to an open-ended initiative, susceptible to good practices of broad application for en all over the world at all geographical measure the progress and effectiveness of Other products broad participation also through interfac- For further information: ICAM to elaborate and establish itself as scales. With almost 700 ICAM initiatives ICAM interventions. ing with global and regional observation http://ioc.unesco.org/icam a model approach for the planning and recorded during the 1990s, it is impera- The Handbook intends to be useful to dif- and monitoring programmes and to initia- Programme outputs ferent kinds of users and is conceived as tives of regional or more sectoral scope part of an IOC toolkit on ICAM indica- (e.g. marine protected areas, coastal tour- The main programme output will be the tors that includes: ism, or integrated coastal area and river development of a Handbook for Assess- basin management). In this regard, the

48 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 49 20042 0

operational

0 observing systems Overview By Keith Alverson, Head of Section

‘Today, in a time of concern over the possibility of potentially disastrous changes in climate, the Nation or Nations that establish a World Ocean Observing System (WOOS) would make a splendid contribution to the world ... It should be emphasized that tech- nological development, process oriented research, monitoring and modelling are joint 4 and necessarily coexisting and mutually supportive efforts. They all must be called upon to build WOOS. What a magniﬁ cent opportunity it can be for an enterprising Nation to present WOOS as a gift to an environmentally distracted world!’ Henry ‘Hank’ Stommel, U.S. Oceanographer, 1990

their effects on individuals, societies and economies. One important aspect that they did have in common was that, though unavoidable, they were predictable. In the former case, predictions were widely available and response mechanisms had been planned ahead. Although substantial damage occurred, losses of lives and property were minimized. In the latter case, a he latter half of 2004 was an for an operational ocean hazard warning eventful period for operation- Such events highlight system. However, a stand-alone tsunami al oceanographers. Four ma- warning system in the Indian Ocean basin T jor hurricanes made landfall the urgent need for an will not work. Although local tsunamis in the southeastern USA, three of them occur in the Indian basin, we have no idea crossing a single county in Florida, caus- operational ocean hazard when or where to expect the next large ing millions of dollars in damage (see warning system. regional tsunami. It could be centuries ﬁ gure 1). A massive tsunami wrought away. A rapidly developed, single-basin, havoc and devastation in and around the single-purpose tsunami warning system Indian Ocean basin killing hundreds of useful prediction was not made and there that goes unused for many years is likely thousands of people (see ﬁ gure 2). These were no alert or response mechanisms in to be rusting and falling apart by the time two ‘events’ are unrelated in their under- place. Tragedy was the result. it is called to use. Thus, the warning sys- lying physics, occurred on opposite sides tem must be designed to serve multiple, of the globe, and were very different in Such events highlight the urgent need more frequently occurring hazards, such

50 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 as storm surges and cyclones. In addi- system are already known and portions of Achieving Operational Status tion, the best way to ensure that a tsunami it are already in place under the auspices In order to be useful in developing haz- warning system remains fully operational of two of the main activities overseen in ard warnings, relevant ocean observa- for decades to come is to embed it within the Operational Observing Systems Sec- tions must be operational. Those components of GOOS most relevant to marine The best way to ensure that a tsunami warning system hazards, such as sea surface temperature, sea level and sea ﬂ oor pressure, need to remains fully operational for decades to come is to be made available in real-time. This is not just a technical requirement, but also a dif- embed it within an integrated observation system. ﬁ cult political issue. For example, some operational countries purposely limit public access to an integrated observation system. Data tion at IOC: the Global Ocean Observing tide gauge data to monthly mean sea level used for tsunami warnings is of potential System (GOOS), and the Joint WMO/ values, years after the fact, while their observing systems Overview interest to an enormous array of users and IOC Commission for Oceanography and high-frequency data (1–2 minute aver- stakeholders. It is these other users who Marine Meteorology, (JCOMM). What ages) are kept internal for reasons ranging will ensure the system is maintained op- is required now is a substantial effort to from cost to national security. In addition, erationally over the long term. overcome three considerable hurdles: (1) national centres running operationally Achieve operational status; (2) Facilitate twenty-four hours a day, seven days a The plans and requirements for such an full global implementation; and (3) En- week, are essential. With the exception integrated observation and hazard warning able regional implementation. of a few countries, oceanography

Seminole Lanier Holmes Charlton Decatur Grady Thomas Clinch Camden Deltona Jackson BrooksLowndes Citrus Eustis Volusia Echols Ware Sanford Nassau Homosassa Springs Leesburg Washington Gadsden Hamilton Apo pka Jefferson Madison Seminole Calhoun Leon Sumter Duval Oviedo Baker Hernando Liberty Columbia Lake Orlando Bay Wakulla Suwannee Spring Hill Conway Titusville Taylor Union Clay Orange Gulf Lafayette Bradford Franklin St. Johns Citrus Ridge Pasco Kissimmee Gilchrist Zephyrhills St. Cloud Alachua Putnam Lutz Dixie Haines City Poinciana Flagler Hillsborough Lakeland Levy Tampa Osceola Marion Bartow Lake Wales Volusia Brandon

Greater Sun Center Polk Citrus Lake Sumter Seminole Palmetto Hernando Manatee Orange Bradenton Hardee Okeechobee Pasco Sarasota Highlands Pinellas Polk Osceola Brevard Gulf Gate Estates Sarasota DeSoto Venice Hillsborough Indian River Port Charlotte Punta Gorda 0 10 20 Miles Manatee Hardee Charlotte Okeechobee St. Lucie Highlands

Sarasota DeSoto Martin Charlotte Glades

Palm Beach CHARLEY Lee Hendry FRANCES Broward JEANNE Collier

Monroe Miami-Dade

0 25 50 100 Miles

Fig 1. The tracks of Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne crossing central Florida in 2004. In the context of the past ﬁ ve years, the number of hurricanes in 2004 was not anomalous, but the number to make U.S. landfalls clearly was. Accurate predictions of the likely severity of a given hurricane season, the paths of individual storms, and the associated sea level surge at a given coast requires that upper ocean temperature and sea level data be available in real-time, all the time. (Reproduced by permission of the American Geophysical Union, and Brian H. Bossak, U.S. Geological Survey. ‘“X” Marks the Spot: Florida is the 2004 Hurricane Bull’s- Eye.’ EOS, Vol. 85, No. 50, pp. 541-552, 14 December 2004.)

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 51 doesn’t have the required institutional support at the national level to enable 24/7. Sometimes, though not always, this may occur through cooperation with national meteorological services, which already are operational, coordinated under the auspices of JCOMM. In other cases national navies may provide this service. In many cases new and creative solutions will be required.

Global Implementation As of 2004 substantial progress towards global implementation of the open ocean portion of the GOOS has been made, with approximately fi fty per cent of the in situ open ocean observing system for climate already in the water including buoys, moorings, fl oats, tide gauges and repeat ship of opportunity XBT hydrographic lines (see fi gure 3). However, current and projected future levels of national contributions to the network are clearly insuffi cient to fi nish the task. Full implementation of the observing system described in the plans of the Ocean Observations Panel for Cli- mate (OOPC) will require substantial new commitments from Member States. The GCOS implementation plan, written with broad input and published in October 2004, estimat-

Current levels of national contribution are clearly insufﬁ cient to ﬁ nish implementation of the global component of AA GOOS.

Courtesy of NOAA NO ed the yearly incremental cost of full implementation of the ocean observ- Fig 2. Time series showing the generation and propagation of a tsunami in the Indian Ocean ing network for climate (including on 26 December, 2004. In the context of the historical record, the tsunami itself was not satellite and in situ observations, anomalous, but changing demographics and lack of an operational warning system in the region meant a tragedy of unprecedented proportion. Accurate predictions of the generation, dedicated analysis infrastructure, trajectory, and local run up of tsunamis requires accurate ocean bottom topography data and and targeted capacity-building) at that bottom pressure and sea level data be available in real-time, all the time. US$200 million. Strong, independent, public calls for increased con-

52 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 tributions to GOOS have been made Regional Implementation for Science (ICSU)–World Meteorologi- (e.g. Nature, Editorial, 24 February As expressed in the Coastal Ocean Ob- cal Organization (WMO) International 2005) and Member States are urged servation Panel (COOP) Implementation Polar Year in 2007–08. to heed them. Plan, fi nalized in 2004 and now in press, implementation of the coastal elements of Coastal observational needs are largely Although the technical backbone of GOOS is the primary remit of the GOOS region specifi c. Thus a diffi cult challenge the open ocean component of the regional alliances (see fi gure 4). Mecha- will be to ensure that regional observ- observing system requires global co- nisms for cooperation and coordination ing systems, including hazard-warning operation, coastal observations (and amongst the existing regional alliances aspects, are fully compatible with local hazard warnings in particular) are are currently in development, as are initial cultural, social and economic conditions. largely specifi c to regions or nations. efforts to form regional alliances covering As with so many things, successful imple- This leads to the fi nal challenge. one or both polar ocean regions, perhaps mentation of coastal GOOS will require as an activity of the International Council thinking globally and acting locally. Courtesy of Mike Johnson, JCOMM OPS, NOAA/OCO Johnson, Courtesy of Mike

Fig 3. Status of the Global Observing System in December 2004. The global climate component of GOOS comprises a composite network of satellite and in situ measurements of surface and subsurface parameters. The in situ network was just over 50 per cent complete at the end of 2004, and will require substantial investment to reach its goal of 100 per cent completion by 2010.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 53 Fig 4. GOOS RegionalRegional Alliances as of December 2004.

Section News

After several years as Section Head, international research coordination the remit of the Operational Observing Colin Summerhayes departed in to the IOC. Keith has a Bachelor of Systems Section and has been heavily March to take up a position as Direc- Engineering Sciences and East Asian engaged in preparations for the second tor of the Scientific Committee on Studies from Princeton University meeting of the Joint Committee for Antarctic Research (SCAR) based and a Ph.D. in Physical Oceanog- Oceanography and Marine Meteorol- in Cambridge, England. Much of raphy from the M.I.T.–Woods Hole ogy (JCOMM) due to be held in Hali- the success of GOOS and JCOMM Oceanographic Institution. Having fax, Canada in September 2005. The are owed to Colin’s steady and ef- lived in the USA, Botswana, Ger- IOC gratefully acknowledges the USA ficient leadership in the secretariat. many, China, Canada, Switzerland (NOAA) for the secondment. In Octo- Colin continues to interact with IOC, and now France, he also brings wide ber, Kazu Hashimoto, who had been including on issues related to the ranging cross-cultural experience to seconded to the Section from Japan for Southern Ocean and the International the Secretariat. two years, departed to take up a posi- Polar Year. tion back in Japan at MEXT. Kazu suc- In March Albert Fischer arrived, in a cessfully managed IOC’s liaising with Over a period of about four months, position joint with the Ocean Scienc- WESTPAC, NEARGOOS, SOPAC, and Thorkild Aarup held down the fort, es Section, and supported by the USA the East Asia region generally, tasks continuing his work for the Coastal (NOAA). Albert has a Ph.D. in Physi- that will unfortunately not be contin- Ocean Observations Panel (COOP) cal Oceanography, and was studying ued. The IOC gratefully acknowledg- and the Global Sea Level Observing Indo-Pacific climate variability as a es Japan (MEXT) for the secondment. System (GLOSS), while doing dou- postdoc in Paris (LODYC) immedi- In December, Alexandre Barault, an ble duty as interim Head of Section, ately before joining the IOC. He is work- informatics student at a local Parisian until, in August, Keith Alverson ar- ing on the global module of GOOS and university, began an internship in the rived to take up the helm. Keith came IOC Oceans and Climate programmes. Section. Alexandre is programming to the IOC following seven years, The IOC gratefully acknowledges the a new website and associated data- most recently as Director, of the Past USA (NOAA) for providing the funding bases for GOOS. The IOC gratefully Global Changes (IGBP-PAGES) Sec- to support Albert’s post. In September, acknowledges the USA (NOAA) for retariat in Bern, Switzerland. Keith Candyce Clark arrived on second- providing the funding to support this brings broad expertise in physical ment from the USA. Candyce is in internship. oceanography, paleoclimatology, and charge of all JCOMM activities within

54 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 Meetings Links with Partner Programmes In 2004 a number of meetings were organized and held with active participation of the Operational Observing Systems Section. Highlights include: The Operational Observing Systems Section continues to participate ac- • The sixth meeting of the Coastal Ocean Observations Panel (COOP), tively in joint activities with a number 26–29 January, Wellington, New Zealand; of partner organizations including: • The second Regional GOOS Forum, 7–9 February, Nadi, Fiji; • The third meeting of the JCOMM Management Committee, • The terrestrial and climate ob- 17–20 March, Geneva, Switzerland; serving system partners for • The seventh meeting of the GOOS Scientifi c and Technical Committee GOOS (GTOS and GCOS, re- (GSC), 26–29 April, Brest, France; spectively); • The ninth meeting of the Ocean Observations Panel for Climate (OOPC) • In situ and remote sensing Earth 7–10 June, Southampton, UK; and observing groups (e.g. Integrat- • The seventh meeting of the COOP, 7–11 June, Tokyo, Japan. ed Global Observing Strategy Partnership [IGOS-P] and the Reports from these and all other meetings either coordinated by, or participated Committee on Earth Observa- in by, the Operational Observing Systems Section are available on the GOOS tion Satellites [CEOS]); website: (http://ioc.unesco.org/goos). • Intergovernmental and international organizations (e.g. the World Meteorological Organi- zation [WMO], the Scientifi c Support to the Committee on Oceanic Research The JCOMMOPS provides support to [SCOR] and the International Operational programme planning, implementation, Council for Science [ICSU]); In Situ Observing and operations including information • Global change research pro- on: grammes (e.g. the World Climate Systems Research Programme [WCRP], (i) Observational data requirements; the International Geosphere-Bio- JCOMM In Situ Observing Platform (ii) Technology, instrumentation, and sphere Programme [IGBP] and Support Centre (JCOMMOPS) costs; the International Human Dimen- (iii) Operational status of observing sions Programme on Global En- Marine observations from in situ ob- networks (e.g. identifi cation of data vironmental Change [IHDP]); serving systems along with other com- sparse area); and • Regional groups (e.g. the Inter- ponents are paramount for ensuring (iv) Deployment opportunities (by ship national Council for the Explo- good quality ocean products, such as and air). ration of the Sea [ICES] and the ocean modelling. Observing systems North Pacifi c Marine Science have to meet the requirements for It maintains information on relevant data Organization [PICES]); ocean products and good coordination requirements for observations in support of • National agencies (e.g. the is therefore necessary internationally GOOS, GCOS, and the WWW as provid- USA’s National Oceanic and between all actors involved. ed by the appropriate international scientif- Atmospheric Administration ic panels and JCOMM Expert Teams and [NOAA] and the UK’s Natural The JCOMM In Situ Observing Plat- Groups, and routinely provides informa- Environment Research Council form Support Centre (JCOMMOPS) tion on the functional status of the observ- [NERC]); and was established in 2001 based upon ing systems. It also encourages platform • The Global Earth Observing coordination facilities provided by the operators to share the data and distribute System of Systems (GEOSS). Data Buoy Cooperation Panel (DBCP, them in real-time. For example, to that end i.e. drifting and moored buoys), the it provides technical assistance regarding Ship of Opportunity Programme satellite data acquisition, automatic data observing platforms. The Centre, located in (SOOP, i.e. XBTs, TSGs), and the processing and Global Telecommunica- Toulouse, France, is funded thanks to vol- Argo profi ling fl oat programme. Syn- tion System (GTS) distribution of the data. untary contributions from Member States, ergy was therefore put in place be- JCOMMOPS also provides a mechanism through the marine observing programme tween these three global marine ob- for relaying quality information from data and panels such as the Data Buoy Coop- servational programmes to assist at centres and users worldwide back to plat- eration Panel (DBCP) and Argo. More the international level those in charge form national operators. detailed information on JCOMMOPS and of implementing the national compo- its products can be found at http://www. nents of these programmes. The JCOMMOPS acts as a focal point for jcommops.org including monthly status implementation and operation of relevant maps for DBCP, Argo and SOOP.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 55 The Global Sea Level Observing System (GLOSS)

DR THORKILD AARUP Background ments of mean sea level over some de- IOC–GLOSS Technical Secretary fi ned period. These levels are often used All countries with coastlines need to defi ne state and national boundaries, [email protected] information on sea level (or ‘tidal’) for example as specifi ed in the United variations for a number of practical Nations Convention on the Law of the and scientifi c reasons. Practical appli- Sea. Low water levels are used as the Sea level is such a fundamental parameter cations include coastal engineering, in datum for tidal predictions and for the in the sciences of oceanography, geophys- which sea level data are needed as in- datum level in hydrographic charts. ics, and climate change, that in the mid- stantaneous levels, as well as statistics 1980s the IOC established the Global Sea of extreme levels over long periods. Many ask ‘why measure sea level from Level Observing System (GLOSS). GLOSS Short-term measurements, often with tide gauges when we have satellite al- was created to improve the quantity and real-time data transmission, are needed timeters?’ There are several reasons to quality of data provided to the Permanent for ship movements in harbours and continue to maintain a good tide gauge Service for Mean Sea Level (PSMSL), and ports, for issuing storm surge and tsu- network: thereby data for input to studies of long- nami warnings, and for the operation of term sea level change by the Intergovern- sluices and barrages. Over a longer pe- (i) Altimeters need to be calibrated; mental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). It riod, data are needed for tidal analysis (ii) Tide gauges provide continuity has also provided key data for international and prediction, for control of siltation and are relatively inexpensive programmes, such as the World Ocean and erosion, for the protection of coral to operate – the altimeter re- Circulation Experiment (WOCE) and the reefs, for inputs to models to estimate cord may have gaps in the future Climate Variability and Predictability Pro- the paths of pollutants and to forecast (or the satellite altimeter could gramme (CLIVAR). water quality, and for the design of rec- malfunction or may not be re- Today GLOSS povides data both in delayed lamation schemes and the construction placed); and real-time mode to a wide range of re- of disposal sites. In addition, they have (iii) Long Mean Sea Level (MSL) search programmes and practical applica- application to studies of upwelling and records are needed for climate tions and contributes to an understanding fi sheries throughout tropical areas. His- change studies (e.g. for the Inter- of sea level changes on timescales from torically, many national datum levels governmental Panel on Climate hours (ocean tides, surges) to decades (cli- for land surveys are based on measure- Change [IPCC]); mate change).

For more information: http://www.pol.ac.uk/psmsl/ programmes/gloss.info.html

Courtesy of Brad Scott, Institute of Geological & Nuclear Sciences Scott, Institute of Geological Courtesy of Brad The GLOSS Core Network of Stations. Courtesy of the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory, UK Laboratory, Oceanographic Courtesy of the Proudman

56 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 searcherssearchers iinn ooceanography,ceanography, ggeophys-eophys- The Global Sea Level ics,ics, ccoastaloastal eengineering,ngineering, aandnd cclimatelimate change.change. FForor example,example, mostmost research-research- Observing System (GLOSS) ersers nnowow aacceptccept tthathat ttherehere iiss a tthreathreat toto t thehe c coastaloastal e environmentnvironment andand i in-n- frastructurefrastructure ffromrom sseaea llevelevel rise,rise, aandnd GLOSSGLOSS iiss rrequiredequired ttoo mmonitoronitor ssuchuch levellevel changes.changes. GLOSSGLOSS datadata areare uusedsed extensivelyextensively byby thethe satellitesatellite altimetryaltimetry communitycommunity fforor ccalibrationalibration aandnd jjointoint analyses,analyses, a andnd f foror t thehe v validationalidation o off operationaloperational numericalnumerical models.models. SomeSome GLOSSGLOSS sstationtation ddataata aarere uusedsed iinn rreal-eal- timetime byby portport offioffi cesces toto enableenable safesafe navigationnavigation oror assimilatedassimilated intointo sstormtorm surgesurge mmodelsodels aandnd mmanyany GGLOSSLOSS ssta-ta- tionstions iinn tthehe PPacifiacifi c ccurrentlyurrently pproviderovide Courtesy of Mark Merrifi eld, University of Hawaii Sea Level Center of Hawaii Sea Level eld, University Courtesy of Mark Merrifi datadata ttoo tthehe PPacifiacifi c TTsunamisunami WWarningarning Sea levellevel as observedobserved at Male (Maldives)(Maldives) on 26 December 2004 showingshowing the arrivalarrival ofof thethe Center.Center. ThroughThrough recentrecent participationparticipation fi rst wave generated by the Indian Ocean Tsunami. in the Global Ocean Data Assimila- tion Experiment (GODAE) it is an- (iv) Long records of higher frequency the climate and coastal modules of ticipated that the use of GLOSS real- climate change (e.g. changes in the Global Ocean Observing System time data for data assimilation will storm surge statistics) are need- (GOOS). increase. ed; (v) Higher frequency sampling in GLOSS has developed into an inter- Additional background information real-time is needed for storm and national coordination mechanism for on the GLOSS programme is avail- tsunami monitoring and warning. global high quality sea level obser- able at http://unesdoc.unesco.org/ vation together with important ele- images/0011/001126/112650eo.pdf ments for: In the mid-1980s, the Intergovern- mental Oceanographic Commission (i) Assisting in maintaining the (IOC) of UNESCO established the GLOSS Core Network of tide GLOSS Long-term Global Sea Level Observing System gauges of 290 stations; Objectives (GLOSS). GLOSS was to improve (ii) Training in sea level measure- the quantity and quality of sea lev- ments and analysis; The GLOSS Implementation Plan el data provided to the data bank of (iii) Development of scientifi c and (http://www.pol.ac.uk/psmsl/training/ the Permanent Service for Mean Sea technical training material on gloss.pub.html), established in 1997, outlines specifi c objectives for GLOSS that are reviewed and updated at regu- Most researchers now accept that there is a threat lar meetings by the GLOSS Group of to the coastal environment and infrastructure from Experts (GE). These include: sea level rise, and GLOSS is required to monitor such • A fully operational global base- level changes line network that would ensure adequate spatial coverage in tra- Level (PSMSL) Liverpool, UK, and various sea level aspects; and ditionally data sparse regions (i.e. thereby, data for input to studies of (iv) Facilitation tide gauges and geo- Southeast Asia, Africa, South long-term sea level change. It would detic equipment (GPS) to devel- America). also provide the key data needed for oping countries. • A subset of stations for the purpose international research programmes, of ongoing calibration of satellite such as the World Ocean Circula- altimeter data (GLOSS-ALT). tion Experiment (WOCE) and later, Today GLOSS serves a multitude of • A subset of stations for monitor- the Climate Variability and Predict- users. Data from GLOSS-designated ing ocean circulation via sea level ability Programme (CLIVAR), and stations are used by scientifi c re- changes (GLOSS-OC), especially Courtesy of the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory, UK Laboratory, Oceanographic Courtesy of the Proudman

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 57 where altimetry is not ideal, in- hourly values) to GLOSS Cen- pdf). Progress was measured primar- cluding straits, high latitudes and tres at the University of Hawaii ily in terms of data return for the vari- western boundary current loca- Sea Level Center (UHSLC) and ous GLOSS data streams. The num- tions. the British Oceanographic Data bers have changed slightly since 2003; • The continuation of long sea Centre (BODC). This activity, however, the overall impressions given level records for climate change which began under the World in the Adequacy Report are still valid monitoring purposes (e.g. with- Ocean Circulation Experiment and are summarized below: in the scientific reviews of the (WOCE), has recently evolved IPCC). ‘Long’ might mean into a real-time data system for a • More than 55 Member States con- forty years or longer in Europe, growing subset of stations. tribute data to GLOSS. North America, etc. but less in • The promotion of historic data • About 60 per cent of the GCN is the southern hemisphere. This rescue projects. considered operational, with simi- set of several hundred gauges lar percentages for the various was grouped within the GLOSS subnetworks (see the Adequacy Long Term Trend (GLOSS- GLOSS Status Report for detailed assessments). LTT) heading and was not a • Real-time (daily) data are available GLOSS Core Network subset. The present status of the GLOSS im- from approximately 76 GLOSS • The installation of GPS receiv- plementation as measured in terms of stations. ers (and possibly other forms data delivery from the GLOSS Core • Fast (monthly) data are available of geodetic monitoring such as Network of stations (GCN) is reported from approximately 114 GLOSS DORIS and Absolute Gravity) at annually by the PSMSL. An ‘opera- stations. sites within most of the ALT and tional’ station from a PSMSL view- • There has been considerable LTT sets, and ideally OC also, to point means that recent MSL monthly growth in the number of GLOSS enable vertical land movements and annual values have been received stations that are linked to GPS or in the gauge records to be re- and checked as far as possible, and DORIS (75 at the time of the Ad- moved. have been included in the databank. equacy Report). • The delivery of Mean Sea Lev- (See http://www.pol.ac.uk/psmsl/gloss. • Historic data rescue activities have el data (MSL) from all GLOSS status/status_oct2004.html). increased data holdings (over three sites to the PSMSL by July in the million additional hourly data calendar year following the data- A more elaborate status summary was points were added through initia- year. provided in the GLOSS Adequacy Re- tives from the National Oceanic • The delivery of high frequency port from 2003 (http://unesdoc.unesco. and Atmospheric Administration data (i.e. raw data, typically org/images/0013/001302/130292e. alone).

Tide gauges, such as the one shown here, are essential for providing data that serve a multitude of users. More sea level data are now available, thanks to more gauges being installed where few existed previously, e.g. polar regions. Courtesy of Peter Foden and Philip Woodworth, Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory

58 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 Highlights of GLOSS • In collaboration with the Islamic funds for tide gauge acquisition, activities and events Educational Scientifi c and Cul- installation and sea level training tural Organization (ISESCO), the activities for Africa. It is expect- 2004 Regional Organization for Conser- ed that a total of between twelve vation of Environment of the Red and fi fteen gauges can be estab- Highlights of GLOSS activities and Sea and Gulf of Aden (PERSGA), lished over the 2005–2008 time events for 2004 are listed below: and the tide gauge agencies of Dji- period with this funding. Many bouti, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Sudan of the gauges will be installed at • Dr Mark Merrifi eld was elected and Yemen, GLOSS sponsored a GLOSS Core Network stations in Chair of the GLOSS Group of Ex- technical expert visit to the Red Africa. In 2004 GLOSS assisted perts following the sudden death Sea countries from 8–19 Decem- the project managers with advice of Dr Christian Le Provost (see ‘In ber 2004. Report available at: and coordination on the sea level Memoriam’ in this Annual Report) http://www.pol.ac.uk/psmsl/train- aspects of the project. who had been elected Chair in Oc- ing/gloss.pub.html tober 2003. • GLOSS sponsored the installation • Reports from the Eighth Session of of a new pressure gauge in Tako- the GLOSS Group of Experts (13 radi, Ghana. (Takoradi has one of The Future and 16–17 October 2003, Paris, the longest time series of sea level GLOSS and sea level data from sta- France) and the associated techni- observations in Africa). The gauge tions in the GLOSS Core Network cal workshop on New Technical was donated by the National Insti- serve many users. Much has been Developments in Sea and Land tute of Oceanography (NIO) Goa, achieved in the life of GLOSS with Level Observing Systems (14–15 India, and the installation was car- limited resources. However, as pointed October 2003, Paris, France) ried out by two NIO scientists. out in the GLOSS Adequacy Report, were published and are avail- • Through the Proudman Oceano- GLOSS needs investment in the order able at http://ioc.unesco.org/goos/ graphic Laboratory, GLOSS has of US$3.5 million, especially in the docs/GOOS_141_GLOSS-8.pdf provided two new tide gauges to developing countries, to close gaps in and http://unesdoc.unesco.org/ Mozambique, which will be in- the GLOSS Core Network of stations, images/0013/001377/137705e.pdf stalled in early 2005 by the South bring stations to deliver data in real- • In collaboration with the Depart- African Hydrographic Service time and provide training. GLOSS will ment of Surveying and Mapping of (SAHS). GLOSS has also provid- continue to explore funding opportuni- Malaysia, GLOSS organized and ed a gauge to Brazil, which will ties to address this matter. sponsored a training course on sea be installed at Cananeia in early level observation and analysis (9– 2005. GLOSS will also explore opportuni- 20 February 2004 in Kuala Lum- • Nigeria purchased with own fund- ties under the International Polar Year pur, Malaysia). The training course ing a modern radar gauge to be 2007–08 programme to help Member report is available at http://unesdoc. installed at the GLOSS station in States upgrade the Arctic and Antarc- unesco.org/images/0013/001368/ Lagos. GLOSS provided a grant tic tide gauge networks. 136865e.pdf for one Nigerian scientist to obtain • The Norwegian Hydrographic Of- training in installation and opera- Many countries still hold consider- fi ce GLOSS, in collaboration with tion of the gauge. able unanalysed sea level information the Hydrographic Department of • In late 2004 implementation of from the past in the form of archived the National Cartographic Cen- the Ocean Data and Information paper charts and tables. This informa- ter of Iran, sponsored a technical Network for Africa (ODINAFRI- tion should, through a comprehensive expert visit to Iran (7–14 March CA III) project started, funded by data archaeology project, be digitized 2004) to provide advice on the na- the Government of Flanders (Bel- and entered into the sea level data tional tide gauge network. The visit gium) through a grant to IOC. banks. This will complement historical report is available at http://www. Work Package 2 under that proj- sea level data sets and provide a more pol.ac.uk/psmsl/reports.gloss/gen- ect is titled ‘The Coastal Observ- complete description of past global eral/Iran_IOC_GLOSS_Travel.pdf ing System’ and it will provide and regional sea level trends.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 59 The Coastal Module of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)

Background GOOS is evolving as two interdependent modules, one for the global ocean and one Coastal nations worldwide are experienc- for coastal marine and estuarine systems. ing changes in their coastal marine and The global module is primarily concerned estuarine systems that jeopardize sustain- with improving marine weather forecasts able development, human health and safety, and the capacity of marine ecosystems to support products and services valued DRDR THORKILDTHORKILD AAARUPARUP by society. Changes of concern include IOC-COOP Technical Secretary increases in the susceptibility of coastal populations to ﬂ ooding, tsunamis, erosion [email protected] and disease, habitat loss, declines in living resources, harmful algal blooms, and mass mortalities of marine mammals and birds. Such trends reﬂ ect the combined effects of both natural processes and human uses. Photo by David E. Niles

Because these changes, their causes and Last April at least fi fty people died in fl oods that their effects often transcend national bor- caused extensive damage in Djibouti, Africa, ders, numerous international treaties and located at the southern entrance of the Red conventions have been agreed to that Sea. The coastal module of GOOS is primarily concerned with establishing an observing system require sustained, routine and reliable that, among other things, provides data and observations of oceanic, coastal, terres- information required to mitigate and manage the In order to rapidly detect and predict a broad trial and atmospheric systems on local, effects of natural hazards. range of coastal phenomena from changes in sea state, coastal fl ooding and sea level Implementation of the coastal module of the Global rise to increases in the risk of disease, habitat modifi cation, harmful algal blooms and Ocean Observing System (GOOS) will provide the declines in fi sheries, an integrated system required data and information on coastal marine and of observations and analysis is needed to provide the data and information required. estuarine systems worldwide. The Coastal Ocean Observations Panel (COOP), representing the coastal module regional and global scales. Implementa- and marine services, predicting basin scale of GOOS, sponsored by the IOC, WMO, tion of the coastal module of the Global oscillations, and predicting decadal scale UNEP, FAO, ICSU and IGBP, encompasses Ocean Observing System (GOOS) will climate changes (e.g. global warming and this vision and provides a framework for provide the required data and information sea level rise). Initial plans for this module nations to make more cost-effective use of on coastal marine and estuarine systems have been completed by the Ocean Ob- collective resources. worldwide. As such, the coastal module servation Panel for Climate (OOPC) and of GOOS is an important contribution to implementation has begun. the Integrated Global Observing Strategy For more information: (IGOS) and the Global Earth Observing Applications of data and information from http://ioc.unesco.org/goos/coop.htm System of Systems (GEOSS). the global module for mitigating and con-

60 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 trolling the effects of natural hazards and The Coastal Module of the climate change on ecosystems and socio- economic systems are most valuable in Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) the coastal zone where human population density is highest and growing rapidly and ecosystem goods and services are most concentrated. Thus, the use of data and information from the global ocean module for these purposes depends to a signiﬁ cant extent on implementing the coastal mod-

ule both regionally and globally. Photo courtesy of NOAA

The coastal module of GOOS is primar- The goals addressed by the coastal module of GOOS include improving the safety and ily concerned with establishing an ob- effi ciency of marine operations. serving system that provides data and information required to mitigate and systems that underpin the health and well- respective observation focus areas: manage the effects of natural hazards being of human populations. (e.g. tsunamis, tropical storms), climate C-GOOS change (e.g. sea level rise, warming) and Implementation of the coastal module The Strategic Design Plan for Coastal human activities (e.g. land-use practices, is justifi ed in terms of socio-economic Component of GOOS (GOOS Report extraction of natural resources, shipping) benefi ts, environmental conservation, No. 90) (http://ioc.unesco.org/iocweb/ on coastal systems and their capacity to sustainable development, and national iocpub/iocpdf/i1146.pdf); sustain goods and services of value to commitments articulated in international human society. agreements and treaties. HOTO Design Plan for HOTO (GOOS Report To this end, the coastal module of GOOS No. 99) (http://ioc.unesco.org/goos/ is intended to develop an integrated and docs/GOOS_099_HOTO_design_plan_ holistic approach to addressing six goals Design and 3.pdf); for the public good: Implementation LMR • Improving the capacity to detect and Planning for the The Strategic Design Plan for the IOC- predict the effects of global climate WMO-UNEP-ICSU-FAO LMR Panel of change on coastal ecosystems; Coastal Module of GOOS (GOOS Report No. 94) (http://ioc. • Improving the safety and effi ciency GOOS unesco.org/iocweb/iocpub/iocpdf/i1150. of marine operations; pdf). • Controlling and mitigating the effects Planning for the coastal module of of natural hazards more effectively; GOOS started in the late 1990s ini- Following the completion of these plans • Reducing public health risks; tially through three design panels the GOOS Steering Committee had de- • Protecting and restoring healthy eco- working in parallel and addressing cided that the planning efforts should systems more effectively; and observing requirements for various be taken forward by one single panel • Restoring and sustaining living ma- parts of the coastal module spanning – the Coastal Ocean Observations Panel rine resources more effectively. from safe navigation, climate vari- (COOP). ability, water quality, marine pollu- Routine, continuous provision of reliable tion over to living marine resources: The terms of references for COOP are to: data and information required to address these goals will make possible: rapid and • Coastal GOOS (C-GOOS) pan- (i) Integrate and refi ne the design plans repeated assessments of the condition of el; of the C-GOOS, HOTO and LMR coastal marine and estuarine systems; • The Health of the Oceans panel panels consistent with GOOS Design timely predictions of the effects of ex- (HOTO); and Principles; and treme weather, climate change and human • The Living Marine Resources (ii) Formulate an implementation plan activities; and the development of ecosys- panel (LMR). that is coordinated with the OOPC tem-based approaches to managing and plan for climate services, research mitigating the effects of human activities By 2000 the three panels had pro- and marine services with due empha- and natural variability on socio-economic duced initial design plans for their sis on:

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 61 • Integrated observations, data and Daily life along the information management, data as- coast and estuaries of similation and modelling for the Mozambique. The coastal purposes of prediction and product module of GOOS includes development; the development of an • Criteria and procedures for select- integrated and holistic approach to reducing ing observing system elements; public health risks. • Procedures for ongoing evaluation of system components, reliability of data streams, access to data, and applications; • Capacity building; and • National, regional, and global promotion of objectives and beneﬁ ts of the observing system.

In 2003 COOP produced ‘The Integrat- ed Strategic Design Plan for the Coastal The provisional common

Ocean Observations Module of GOOS’ variables include geo- ea Rasetti (GOOS Report No. 125) (http://ioc.unes- physical variables (tem- co.org/goos/docs/GOOS_125_COOP_ perature, salinity, currents, Plan.pdf); (The plan is also available in waves, sea level, shore- Spanish thanks to Dr Rodrigo Nunez~ line position, bathyme- Rasetti Photos by Andrea Andr and SHOA [http://unesdoc.unesco. try, sediment grain size), org/images/0013/001305/130523s.pdf] chemical variables (dis- and in Russian thanks to Dr Vadim solved inorganic nutrients, dissolved able in printed form during the ﬁ rst Sobolev, Head Department of Naviga- oxygen, sediment organic content), half of 2005 (http://ioc.unesco.org/ tion and Oceanography of the Russian biological variables (faecal indicators, goos/docs/doclist.htm). Federation [http://ioc.unesco.org/goos/ phytoplankton biomass, benthic bio- docs/doclist.htm]). mass), and biophysical variables (opti- The Implementation Strategy proposes cal properties). the actions needed to implement the The Integrated Design Plan for the Integrated Design Plan. The plan fo- Coastal Module of GOOS calls for Following the completion of the In- cuses on policies and procedures for establishing regional coastal ocean ob- tegrated Design Plan, COOP has establishing regional scale coastal serving systems (RCOOSs) worldwide worked on formulating an Imple- ocean observing systems. It includes and, through this process, the devel- mentation Strategy for the coastal organizational and administrative pro- opment of a Global Coastal Network module of GOOS. In 2004 COOP posals for governance and presents (GCN). The former has begun and held full panel meetings in Welling- practical recommendations for phased coordinated development of these re- ton, New Zealand (26–29 January) development of the GCN through gional observing systems is needed to and in Tokyo, Japan (9–11 June) and the establishment and networking of create a GCN that: a subcommittee meeting addressing GOOS Regional Alliances (GRAs), socio-economic aspects was held National GOOS programmes, and ex- • Measures, manages and analyses in Halifax, Canada (15–16 April). isting global programmes. The Imple- common variables needed by all or The Implementation Strategy was mentation Strategy is an ‘organic’ plan most coastal nations and regions; completed in draft form, externally that is expected to be updated periodi- • Establishes sentinel and reference reviewed, revised in response to the cally and used to guide the formulation stations; and reviews and ﬁ nally externally edited and implementation of action plans • Implements internationally ac- during the fourth quarter of 2004. as GRAs mature, the diversity of user cepted standards and protocols Following formal approval by the groups grows, and new technologies for measurements, data telemetry, GOOS Steering Committee and the and understanding enable the evolu- data management and modelling. Intergovernmental Committee for tion of a fully integrated and compre- GOOS the document will be avail- hensive system.

62 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 Early evening surfers in Durban, South Africa. Coastal nations worldwide are experiencing changes in their coastal marine and estuarine systems that jeopardize sustainable development, human health and safety, and the capacity of marine ecosystems to support products and services valued by society. Photo by Andrea Rasetti Photo by Andrea

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 63 Overview

tion with the programmes sectionsof withinother the IOC, ciallyand with theespe- Joint IOC/World Me- teorological Organization Technical Commission for Oceanography andMarine MeteorologyThe IODE Programme also increas- (JCOMM).ingly plays an active ing roleusers to information in guid- through the with ocean research and monitoring programmes to ensure that data andinformation needs of Member States are met through close collabora- By Peter Pissierssens, Head of Section of Section Pissierssens, Head By Peter 4 Services 200

n Annual Report Marine Fisheries Service, NOAA, U.S. Dept. of Commerce. U.S. NOAA, Service, Marine Fisheries The IODE Programme develops applications of Information and Communication Technology applications of Information and Communication Technology The IODE Programme develops (ICT) for data management and dissemination. National Science Center, Assessment and Conservation Engineering Division, Alaska Fisheries Courtesy of Resource Communication Technology for (ICT) data management andnation. dissemi- It strengthens cooperation through the creation of Ocean andData Information Networkprojects to aid developing (ODIN) countries. Information provided certain will specialized includefunctions including seabed mappingforecasting. and tsunami The IODE applications Programme of develops Information and • a

OMMISSION C e

CEANOGRAPHIC O

ecentralized networks of data centres access providing to a wide variety of users over the Inter- o

row the ‘digital divide’ between developing and developed countries, data, data products and information. The International Data Oceanographic and (IODE) Information Programme helps Exchange to nar- management. This the modeldevelopment of a broad enables range of user communities having access to D net are gradually replacing ditionalthe tra- model of centralized data NTERGOVERNMENTAL I

20042 0 0 4 64 development and maintenance of spe- tors and Planning Meeting was held the Foresight Centre at the University cialized portals and clearing-house in Cape Town, South Africa, 19–23 of Liverpool, UK, 22–24 March 2004, mechanisms, in close collaboration April 2004. The meeting reviewed the hosted by the British Oceanographic with the UN and other agencies. Ad- project document, discussed the tech- Data Centre (BODC). The Session vances in seabed mapping are being nical implementation of the distance was attended, in addition to its regular achieved through collaboration with learning application/content manage- members, by representatives from the international hydrographic agencies. ment system, nominated work pack- Food and Agriculture Organization Tsunami forecasting is being image leaders and reviewed the table (FAO), the Global Biodiversity Infor- proved through cooperation between of contents of OceanTeacher. Ocean- mation Facility (GBIF), ICES and the Services Overview the scientifi c research community of Teacher is available online (http:// Integrated Taxonomic Information ocean the International Union of Geodesy www.oceanteacher.org). System (ITIS) as well as by the IODE and Geophysics (IUGG) and opera- Chair. The Group adopted a detailed tional experts dealing with seismic Developing and disseminating work plan that focuses on: and tidal observations, with the ob- global standards for the collec- jective of disaster mitigation. Assis- tion, management and exchange (i) OceanTeacher modules on bio- tance to the establishment of national of ocean data and information logical data management; tsunami warning systems is critical in The Third Session of the International (ii) Raising awareness for the socio- this regard. Council for the Exploration of the Sea economic importance of data (ICES)-IOC Study Group on the De- management; Promoting full and open access velopment of Marine Data Exchange (iii) Closer collaboration with the to ocean data and information, Systems using XML (SGXML) was Ocean Biogeographic Infor- and improved communication of held in Oostende, Belgium 6–7 May mation System (OBIS), GBIF, ocean research fi ndings to deci- 2004. The Group decided to fi nalize ITIS, FAO; sion-makers and the public and document its work by IODE- (iv) Hosting of the UNESCO-IOC During 2004 the IODE Secretariat XVIII in April 2005. The objectives Register of Marine Organisms and Offi cers participated in a number of the European Union Marine XML (URMO) website by the IODE of meetings and conferences to pro- project for this period were to deliver Project Offi ce; mote IODE and to raise interest in on fi rst tangible outputs of the project (v) Collation of guidelines on data the operational oceanography com- and establish a framework for the ex- quality assurance and quality munity for the capacities available ploitation (continuation) of the stan- control for biological data; from the IODE data centre network. dardization process post-project. A (vi) Pilot projects related to test dif- Several cooperative links were thus catalogue has been produced of the ferent systems of distributed established. In addition, the newly standards used by the marine com- querying based on XML (DiGIR established IODE Group of Experts munity and these have been mapped and BioCASE) with XML sche- on Biological Data Management and onto an ontology to articulate their re- mas other than Darwin Core and Exchange Practices (GE-BICH) is lationships. Work has begun to ‘ring- ABCD (using metadata and dis- involving several programmes, proj- fence’ the scope and content of the tributed taxonomic name lists as ects and organizations that have direct test-bed demonstration. The Project data types); and links with biological oceanography Progress Meeting will be held 14–16 (vii) Implement survey, requesting and taxonomy experts, thereby pro- June 2004 in Oxford, UK, to summa- information about systems, da- moting IODE in those communities. rize the project achievements. tabases and inventories currently in use in various data centres. Strengthening capacity to collect, The project test-bed demonstrations preserve, disseminate and use are now being fi nished and will be Improving information on the ocean data and information presented at the fi nal project meeting topography of the World Ocean Following the success of the pilot in January 2005 in Liverpool, UK. The fl oor and its geological/geophysi- phase of OceanTeacher, implement- work started within the project will be cal parameters ed during the previous biennium, continued in the EU MOTIVE Project The main results in the Ocean Map- IODE successfully applied for donor starting in February 2005. IOC/IODE ping framework (2003–2004) are the funding for the operational phase of is a participant in this project. publication of the Geological Geo- OceanTeacher, to be called ODIMeX. physical Atlas of the Pacifi c Ocean Accordingly, this activity is being Furthermore, the Second Session of (GAPA), publication of a 3D updated funded from extra-budgetary sources the IODE Group of Experts on Biolog- version of the ‘General Bathymetric during the biennium 2004–2005. The ical and Chemical Data Management Chart of the Oceans’ on CD-ROM First Session of the ODIMeX Edi- and Exchange Practices was held at (GEBCO), and publication of the 2D

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 65 International Bathymetric Chart of the Arctic Ocean (IBCAO). Courtesy of the British Oceanographic Data Centre

66 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 Edition of the International Bathy- Marine Research, in Bremerhaven, ued its support to the International metric Chart of the Arctic Ocean Germany. The future structure of Tsunami Information Center (ITIC), (IBCAO). The digital version of the GEBCO and Ocean Mapping was Honolulu, Hawaii. The Center pro- International Bathymetric Chart of discussed between Member States, duces the ITSU Newsletter, imple- the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mex- IOC and the International Hydro- ments the ITSU Training Programme ico has been accomplished with In- graphic Organization (IHO). Ocean and coordinates the ITSU informa- stituto Nacional de Estadística Geo- Mapping continued its support to tion dissemination programme (ex- grafía e Informática (INEGI). (All all existing regional bathymetric pert and general public level). Im- publications are currently available projects focused on compilation and plementation of the ITSU-XIX work for users.) A contract was signed classification of bathymetric data, plan continued (details provided with Nippon Foundation for train- in particular for the Caribbean Sea, in previous report July-December ing activities in marine cartography, and the Indian and Pacific Oceans. 2003). Plans for the development of in accordance with which approxi- In accordance with the joint GEB- an Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning mately US$2 million will be avail- CO/Nippon Foundation work plan, a System, in response to December’s able for the next five years for post- group of seven students has started a tragic disaster, using knowledge graduate education. one-year training course in bathym- from the ITSU Programme are dis- etry at the University of New Hamp- cussed in detail in the Public Aware- In accordance with Resolution EC- shire, USA. ness section of this Annual Report. XXXVII.5 the first meeting of the Editorial Board for the International Strengthening tsunami Bathymetric Chart of the Southern warning systems and Ocean was organized and took place mitigation procedures at the end of July 2004 at the Al- The Tsunami Warning System in the fred Wegener Institute for Polar and Pacific (ITSU) Programme contin-

INTERGOVERNMENTALNTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHICCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSIONOMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 67 Ocean Data and Information Network for Africa (ODINAFRICA) Phase III

he earlier phases of development of the Ocean Data and Information Network for Af- T rica (ODINAFRICA) enabled Member States from Africa to get access to data available in other data centres, develop skills for manipulation of data and preparation of data and information products, and develop infrastructure for MIKAMIKA OODIDODIDO archival, analysis and dissemination of Regional Coordinator the data and information products. IOCWIO Projects Offi ce The implementation of the current [email protected] phase commenced with a meeting of The following thematic work packages the ODINAFRICA Project Steering will be implemented to achieve the objec- Committee at the UNESCO Nairobi, tives of ODINAFRICA-III: Kenya Offi ce. The phase will build on this foundation, with the goal of Coastal Ocean Observing System: fo- improving data fl ow into the national cuses on upgrading and expanding the oceanographic data and information African network for in situ measurements centres in the participating countries, and monitoring of ocean variables (e.g. developing data and information sea level, temperature, salinity, currents, products required for integrated man- winds, etc.), provision of near real-time agement of the coastal areas of Afri- observations of ocean variables, and ca, and increasing the delivery of ser- building adequate capacity for collection, vices to end-users. ODINAFRICA-III analysis and management of sea-state Sponsored by the IOC and the Government will be implemented by institutions variables. of Flanders (Belgium), the ODINAFRICA from twenty-fi ve Member States of Project brings together marine institutions the Intergovernmental Oceanographic More than twenty-eight sea level stations from twenty-fi ve African Member States of Commission of UNESCO from Af- are currently operational along the African the IOC in order to enable the development rica (Algeria, Angola, Benin, Camer- coastline. The majority of them are on the of relevant products and services contrib- oon, Comoros, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Indian Ocean coast. However few of these uting to the sustainable use and manage- Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, stations transmit the data collected to data ment of oceans and coastal areas in Africa. Madagascar, Mauritania, Mauritius, centres in real-time. ODINAFRICA will Designed to provide access to up-to-date Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, install at least fi fteen new stations, start- oceanographic and data information and to Nigeria, Senegal, Seychelles, South ing with Cape Bon (Tunisia), Casablanca build management capacity, ODINAFRICA Africa, United Republic of Tanza- (Morocco), Nouadhibou (Mauritania), fosters the full and active participation of nia, Togo, and Tunisia), with support Dakar (Senegal) and Takoradi (Ghana) developing countries in the Internet-based from the Commission. The Govern- in 2005. society. ment of Flanders, Belgium will provide US$2.5 million to support the Data and Information Management: implementation of ODINAFRICA-III focuses on further development and For more information: during the period August 2004–De- strengthening of National Oceanographic http://ioc.unesco.org/odinafrica/ cember 2007. Data Centres (NODC) to manage data

68 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 streams from the coastal ocean observing Ocean Data and Information Network network, upgrading infrastructures in the NODCs (including internet access and for Africa (ODINAFRICA) Phase III computer systems), and integrating biogeographic and hydrological data streams into NODC systems.

The ﬁ ve countries that have joined the network during the current phase (Alge- ria, Angola, Congo, Egypt and Namibia) will be provided with basic data management training as well as equipment and software to enable them to establish or strengthen their national oceanographic data and information centres. In addition, all the data centres will be provided with training and infrastructure for man- Photo courtesy of Mireille Michiels Michiels Photo courtesy of Mireille agement of biodiversity data. The objectives of Phase III ODINAFRICA enable Member States to address key issues such as the management of ecosystems and habitats, and the sustainable use of living resources. The products already developed such asas d directoriesirectories o off e expertsxperts a andnd i institu-nstitu- tions,tions, librarylibrary catalogues,catalogues, andand cataloguecatalogue ofof publicationspublications from/aboutfrom/about Africa,Africa, andand cataloguescatalogues ofof AfricaAfrica marinemarine datadata setssets (MEDI-Africa)(MEDI-Africa) aarere bbeingeing ccleanedleaned uupp aandnd mergedmerged soso thatthat theythey cancan bebe availedavailed onon projectproject websiteswebsites byby endend ofof thethe ﬁ rstrst quar-quar- terter ooff 22005.005.

ProductProduct developmentdevelopment andand end-userend-user communicationcommunication andand informationinformation de-de- liverliver: focuses on preparation of databases,bases, andand datadata andand informationinformation productsproducts forfor tthehe iintegratedntegrated managementmanagement ofof coastalcoastal environmentsenvironments andand resourcesresources and,and, inin par-particular,ticular, e enablingnabling M Memberember S Statestates t too b bee ableable toto addressaddress thethe keykey issuesissues identiﬁidentiﬁ eded inin tthehe AAfricanfrican PProcess:rocess: ((i)i) CCoastaloastal eero-ro- sion;sion; (ii)(ii) ManagementManagement o off keykey ecosys-ecosys- temstems a andnd h habitats;abitats; ( (iii)iii) P Pollution;ollution; ( (iv)iv) SustainableSustainable uusese ooff llivingiving rresources;esources; aandnd (v)(v) TTourism.ourism.

EachEach ofof thethe participatingparticipating countriescountries willwill holdhold nationalnational consultationsconsultations toto identifyidentify

Location of installed and keykey data,data, informationinformation andand productsproducts re-re- operational stations quiredquired forfor thethe managementmanagement ofof thethe coastalcoastal Location of stations andand m marinearine e environmentnvironment andand resourcesresources planned by ODINAFRICA or other organizations inin tthehe rrespectiveespective countries.countries. OnOn thethe bbasisasis ofof these,these, a setset ofof corecore productsproducts toto bebe pre-pre- paredpared byby eacheach NODCNODC willwill bebe selected.selected. SkillsSkills andand toolstools toto facilitatefacilitate theirtheir prepara-prepara- tiontion andand disseminationdissemination willwill bebe providedprovided toto tthehe NNODCs.ODCs.

Map (Africa 4045 Rev. 4 January 2004) courtesy of the UN Cartographic Section

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 69 Regional Activities and Capacity Building Photo by Andrea Rasetti Photo by Andrea

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 71 The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO Subcommission for the Western Paciﬁ c (IOC/WESTPAC)

Introduction The responsibility of the IOC/WESTPAC Subcommission covers twenty countries in the Western Pacifi c region, encompassing an area roughly from the Andaman Sea part of Thailand to the Pacifi c coast of the USA, and from the southern tip of New Zealand to the northern part of the Bering Sea. While the region is the centre of marine generic wealth and diversity in the world, a DRDR MMIGUELIGUEL FFORTESORTES, signifi cant portion of its coastal and ocean habitats is at high risk of being lost Head of IOC/WESTPAC in the next decade; the current rates of loss of habitats are the highest in the [email protected] world and are directly associated with the activities of more than half of the total world population, a large percentage of whom are poor and reside along the coasts. This region is extremely vulnerable as it is the most affected by natural disasters. Capacity building in ocean sciences and services is a policy objective common to all countries in the region.

Activities in 2004

argely in response to requests from its Member States, IOC/WESTPAC implements L seven major programmes: • Oceans and Climate • Ocean Ecosystem Science • Marine Environmental Protection The Western Pacifi c is a particularly vulner- • Interdisciplinary Programmes Home page of WESTPAC’s new website. able region, often challenged by natural • Ocean Remote Sensing disasters, and facing rapid decline of its • Global Ocean Observing System pac.unescobkk.org). These initiatives coastal ecosystems. IOC’s fi rst programme (GOOS) were made possible with support from within the region was in 1965 and since • Ocean Services and General Ac- extrabudgetary sources whose contri- then a number of activities have been tivities. butions made up 72.3 per cent of the carried out. IOC/WESTPAC was formally total expenditure, with the remaining established in 1989 to promote and coor- In 2004, at least ten major projects 27.7 per cent coming from the regular dinate programmes that demonstrate and or activities were implemented under programme budget. enhance the value of marine scientifi c re- these programmes. They ranged from search and systematic observations of the project and coordination meetings, Disappearing natural habitats: ocean. training courses and workshops, in- reversing the decline For more information ternational symposia, publication of The region’s coastal ecosystems are http://ioc.unesco.org/westpac posters and a fi eld guide, to the devel- severely damaged: over 80 per cent of opment of its own website (http://west- coral reefs face risks, mangroves have

72 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO regionalregional approach has been adopted through the inclusion of additional pa- through re regionalgional acti activitiesvities and agree- rameters, increased coverage in space ments. WithWith support from partners, and time, the generation of a generic Subcommission for the Western Pacifi c IOC/WESTPACIOC/WESTPAC helps substantially in suite of data products and adequate this endeavour.endeavour. quality assurance/quality control procedures.’ (IOC/WESTPAC) Rasetti Photo by Andrea Participants at a special session of the Highlights in 20042004 Sixth WESTPAC International Sci- entifi c Symposium, Hang Zhou, Chi- The Strategic Plan f foror the North- na, April 2004, agreed to establish the east Asian Global Ocean ObservingObserving South East Asia Global Ocean Observ- System (NEAR-GOOS, Intersessional ing System (SEAGOOS) as a subsid- Unless managed, all mangroves in the WESTPAC Period, 2004) waswas adopted and put into iary body of IOC, working on the prin- region will be lost by 2030. operation, with the goal ‘to dedevelopvelop a ciple that ‘an alliance of South East basic integrated ocean observing and Asian countries and/or ocean and ma- lost 70 per cent of their cover in the operational forecasting system in the rine meteorological and related agen- last seventy years, and between 20 and 60 per cent of seagrass beds have been lost. Only 10 to 30 per cent of natural Many countries in the region are making great efforts habitats remain in many countries of the region so that any further decrease to review their coastal and ocean management could have serious consequences for programmes in a thorough and competent way, with biodiversity and people’s lives. Unless managed, reefs will face collapse with- a view to changes in practice and policy at national in twenty years, all mangroves will be and regional levels lost by 2030, and seagrass beds will follow suit. As a result, total marine fi sh production in the region has fallen NEAR-GOOS area adhering to the cies is a suitable approach for collabo- dramatically. GOOS principles, and building on the ration and facilitating the development data management and exchange mech- of solutions and their implementation Over the past fi fteen years the coastal anism developed in the fi rst phase to meet the economic, social and en- zone has, nevertheless, improved in a few areas in the region. This advance has been helped along by the establishment of more Marine Protected Areas, and training courses, particularly in the extensive use of remote sensing in the region to obtain data on suspended sediments in the water column, topography, bathymetry, sea state, water colour, chlorophyll-a, sea surface temperature, fi sheries, oil slicks, and submerged and emergent vegetation, including mangroves and seagrass. Consequently, many countries in the region are making great efforts to review their coastal and ocean management programmes in a thorough and competent way, with a view to changes in practice and policy at national and regional levels. Academic institutions, private and public agencies and international donors have substantially Dr Patricio Bernal, IOC’s Executive Secretary, at the Sixth WESTPAC International aided this effort. A more holistic and Scientifi c Symposium.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 73 vironmental needs of the region and ing the much needed complementa- tegic action. The renewed commitment its sustainable development.’ rity between regional/international of IOC/WESTPAC as a partner to help agencies and institutions and local Pacifi c Island Member States develop The Joint Regional Training Course/ governments that are mandated to their ocean sciences and services was Workshop ‘Practical Methods in the protect and sustainably manage the acknowledged, and the capacity build- Study of Marine Plant Biodiversity region’s coasts. ing intervention by IOC recognized as and Management in Asia-Pacifi c’, an important means to achieve the goals The Philippines, 24–29 May 2004, One of the products of this joint initia- of the policy. sponsored by the United Nations tive was the publication and distribution Environment Programme–Global of the posters ‘Seagrasses of East Asian The Sixth IOC/WESTPAC Interna- Environment Facility (UNEP–GEF), Seas’ and the ‘Field Guide for the Iden- tional Scientifi c Symposium: Chal- IOC/WESTPAC, the Japan Society tifi cation of East Asian Seagrasses’ to lenges for Marine Science in the for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), local, national and international institu- Western Pacifi c, Hang Zhou, China, the UNESCO Man and Biosphere tions and individuals. 19–23 April 2004. The Symposium Programme (MAB), and the Phil- discussed the key challenges for ma- ippine National Seagrass Commit- The Pacifi c Islands Regional Ocean rine science in the Western Pacifi c, tee (PNSC). The Workshop brought Forum (PIROF), Fiji, February 2004. promoting regional cooperation together major projects and pro- The participants, including the Pacifi c and interdisciplinary collaboration grammes of at least fi ve regional/ member countries and territories, devel- in marine scientifi c research with international organizations that deal opment partners, non-State actors, pri- a special emphasis on ecosystem- with coastal and marine science con- vate sector and civil societies adopted based approaches to sustainable de- servation and management in the the Pacifi c Islands Regional Ocean Pol- velopment and oceans management, Western Pacifi c region, thus facilitat- icy as a framework for integrated stra- and developing the regional infra-

Seagrass along the beach at Talibong, Thailand. In the WESTPAC region, between 20 and 60 per cent of seagrass beds have already been lost. Any further decrease could have serious consequences for biodiversity and people’s lives. Photos by Miguel Fortes

74 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 structure needed to support systematic ocean observations and data and information exchange (including coastal applications and biological studies). Attended by more than 150 participants, its success was evident from the signiﬁ cantly greater number of abstracts submitted during the Symposium (184, compared to 116 at the Fifth Symposium in Seoul, Ko- rea). Furthermore, the application of more sophisticated state-of-the-art technologies, such as biomolecular genetic markers, new generation remote sensing and data and information management packages, were presented at this latest symposium.

A Changing Ethic There is now a growing movement to protect, understand, and sustainably use the seas and the ocean in the Western Pacifi c. It is becoming more and more accepted that the effectiveness of management actions to protect the ocean cannot be assessed without scientifi c knowledge and analysis. There are, however, signifi - cant obstacles that must be overcome before we can fully apply ocean sci-

ence, and before IOC/WESTPAC be- © Ove Hoegh-Guldberg comes the ocean’s effective steward OverOver 80 per cent of the region’sregion’s reefs faceface risks and total marine fi sh productionproduction inin thethe in the region. The health of a science, regionregion has fallenfallen dramatically.dramatically. The beautiful Orange Spotted Filefi sh, shownshown here,here, isis which determines how effectively re- dependent on living coral for food and a place to live and is not expected to survive if the searchers can provide needed infor- reefs collapse. mation to decision-makers, depends on the training of researchers, their ciety’s cost. The overall results have ronmental security’ along the coasts status in society, and the facilities aggravated the social and economic of the Western Pacifi c has recently be- and funding available to them. While conditions of the greater portion of come a serious concern. This is where governments in the region have not the region’s population, turning eco- IOC/WESTPAC and its partners play been remiss either in this endeavour logical concerns into serious socio- an important role. Indeed, its primary or in offering solutions to improve economic issues. Today these issues task is to help the region develop and the generally bleak ocean situation, bring about problems with far-reach- nurture an ethic that views the seas as these efforts give short-term benefi ts ing effects that go beyond socio-po- a resource in need of our stewardship and degrade the environment at so- litical boundaries. Undeniably, ‘envi- and not simply a commodity. Photos by Miguel Fortes

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 75 The IOCWIO Project Ofﬁ ce

MIKA ODIDO he IOCWIO Project Offi ce International Maritime Organization Head of IOCWIO Project Offi ce was relocated from the Ke- (IMO) and the World Meteorological nya Marine and Fisheries Re- Organization (WMO). [email protected] T search Institute in Mombasa, Kenya to the UNESCO Nairobi, Kenya Dr Antonio Hoguane (Mozambique) offi ce (United Nations offi ce at Nairobi), and Dr Onésime Richard Ratomahenina which is also the UNESCO Regional (Madagascar) took over as Chair and Offi ce for Science and Technology in Vice Chair of IOCWIO respectively, re- Africa. placing Dr Rafamantanantsoa Jean Ger- vais (Madagascar) and Mr Ilidio Goenha This move was necessitated by the need (Mozambique). to improve the profi le of the offi ce and

The IOC’s Regional Committee for the Western Indian Ocean (IOCWIO) addresses the need for an effective, Africa-based coordination mechanism to assist in planning and implementing regional research, monitoring and management programmes. By focusing on the development and strengthening of capacity for observations The African OceanPortal and its newsletter were redesigned to refl ect the NEPAD/COSMAR focus. and monitoring of the oceans and coastal enable IOC’s programmes in the region The move to Nairobi enabled the IOC- areas, resulting data and information are to work closely with and benefi t from WIO Project Offi ce to work closely with able to be analysed and interpreted for the other relevant UNESCO Programmes. the recently established Secretariat for sustainable management of the marine en- The IOCWIO Project Offi ce will also the Coastal and Marine sub-theme of vironment and resources. be able to collaborate better with other NEPAD (COSMAR), which is located at UN bodies and programmes located the National Environment Management in Nairobi, such as the United Nations Agency in Nairobi, Kenya. IOCWIO For more information: Environment Programme (UNEP), the and the New Partnership for Africa’s http://ioc.unesco.org/iocinwio

76 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 A trainingtraining coursecourse onon ‘Application‘Application ofof The IOCWIO Project Ofﬁ ce SatelliteSatellite A Altimetry’ltimetry’ w wasas o organizedrganized inin collaborationcollaboration withwith thethe WesternWestern IndianIndian OceanOcean MarineMarine ScienceScience As-As- sociationsociation (WIOMSA)(WIOMSA) andand thethe Ital-Ital- ianian SpaceSpace AgencyAgency andand waswas heldheld atat thethe SanSan MarcoMarco ResearchResearch CentreCentre (also(also knownknown asas LuigiLuigi BroglioBroglio SpaceSpace Centre),Centre), Malindi,Malindi, Kenya,Kenya, 6–176–17 Sep-Sep- tembertember 2 2005.005. T Thehe o objectivebjective o off t thehe coursecourse w wasas t too g giveive t thehe p participantsarticipants (with(with somesome backgroundbackground knowledgeknowledge ofof oceanography)oceanography) a goodgood graspgrasp ofof thethe principlesprinciples ofof altimetryaltimetry andand developdevelop ParticipantsParticipants at the San Marco Space Station (Malindi, Kenya)Kenya) during the reremotemote ssensingensing basicbasic s skillskills i inn i itsts p practicalractical a applica-pplica- training course last September. tionstions uusingsing bbothoth aaltimeterltimeter aandnd in situ data collected from the Western In- Development (NEPAD)/COSMAR nia) upgraded their terminal equip- dian Ocean (WIO) region specially initiated a comprehensive review and ment. Centre de Recherches Océ- designed to demonstrate some in- assessment of projects/programmes anologiques (Cote d’Ivoire) and the teresting dynamical oceanography relating to the coastal and marine Institut Mauritanien de Recherches features. The limitations of altimetry environment in Africa. This was car- Océanographiques et des Pêches and how they are overcome was also ried out with a view to enabling the (Mauritania) will be upgrading ter- demonstrated by using altimetry in NEPAD/COSMAR Secretariat to ad- minal equipment in 2005. synergy with other satellite remote vise and guide the implementation sensing techniques. and development of new and existing projects and programmes. The report The ‘Application‘Application of Satellite of the review will be presented to Altimetry’ training course. the NEPAD Environment Partner- ship Conference planned for the ﬁ rst All photos by David KirugaraKirugara of KenyaKenya Marine and FisheriesFisheries ResearchResearch Institute quarter of 2005.

The development of the African OceanPortal was another focus for collaboration between IOC and NE- PAD/COSMAR. The portal and its newsletter were redesigned to reﬂ ect the NEPAD/COSMAR focus. Two issues of the newsletter, now renamed ‘COSMAR News’, have been published and distributed.

The core institutions involved in the development and editing of the Af- rican OceanPortal were provided with support to enable them to improve internet access so that they could be more effective. The Insti- tut Halieutique et des Sciences Ma- rines (Madagascar) and the Nige- rian Institute for Oceanography and Marine Research installed VSAT links, while the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, and the Institute of Marine Sciences (Tanza-

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 77 Capacity Building: Towards an Implementation Plan

Examples of note to port’, self-respect through self-help adopt and adapt will be a key step in emerging from the cycle of dependency. How do we he Third World Academy weave this into a strategy for capacity of Sciences (TWAS) in its building and an implementation plan research report ‘Building in a way that makes a major difference T Scientifi c Capacity’ pro- to the state of health of our oceans and motes an uplifting principle for capacity coasts whilst recognizing that people DRDR EEHRLICHHRLICH DDESAESA building: ‘respect, honour and support’. are central to the process? We began Head of IOC Capacity Building Section Living up to its own principle, TWAS by defi ning a vision that embodied [email protected] has honoured and supported scientists this key step, and after much debate, and institutions, based purely on their reached agreement that: scientifi c excellence, from scientifi cally lagging, least developed or heavily in- The vision of IOC capacity building debted poor countries raising hope that, is to establish networks of scientists, economic status notwithstanding, excel- managers and other practitioners lence does exist in the most unexpected working within regional and simi- places and responds positively to rec- lar cooperative mechanisms, to cre- ognition and support. Disappointingly ate demand-driven science, enhance however, only a tiny number of these protection of the marine environment Our ocean is being depleted of its cases deal with oceanography. and provide operational oceano- resources and invaluable time con- graphic services for the benefi t of all tinues to be lost whilst uneven ca- Capacity building for marine scientifi c humanity. pacities to address ocean issues ex- research therefore must look for other ist around the world. Simply put, ways of addressing this seemingly in- Put another way, IOC envisions a world capacity to understand and protect tractable issue. It is our belief that, in where local scientists create products ocean resources is being built slower addition to ‘respect honour and sup- that have real benefi ts for their com- than the destruction of those same resources. For the Capacity Build- IOC envisions a world ing Section at the Intergovernmen- where local scientists tal Oceanographic Commission of create products that UNESCO this means that besides have real benefi ts for standard deliverables and perfor- their communities. mance indicators, we additionally need to review the task of building capacity to search for fundamental and long-term solutions. An estimation of the real impacts that building capacity in communities has is needed in order improve future capacity building interventions and thereby help people lead safer lives, protect their livelihoods, and draw sustainable economic benefi ts from healthy

oceans and coasts. Rasetti Photo by Andrea

78 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 munities, real enough to attract sup- within which IOC capacity build- to nucleate a Regional Resources Capacity Building: porting funds and of such excellence ing initiatives will be aligned and Hub where they can continue work- as to contribute to the larger global harmonized. ing together and creating products Towards an Implementation Plan framework. 3. Ongoing regional projects, ad- specifi cally for regional communi- dressing key regional concerns, ties. The process in developing will be primary vehicles for capac- 8. In appreciation of differing capaci- principles and strategy for ity building interventions. ties for marine scientifi c research capacity building 4. Regional project objectives will be between countries in a region, With a vision statement to target, a facilitated through Capacity Build- country-specifi c programmes will strategy was drafted and presented to ing Pilot Programmes. Submis- be carried out. These will pay the IOC Executive Council in June sion to funding agencies of pilot special attention to building up in- 2004. This was followed by six months proposals, formulated by regional stitutional and legal frameworks, of dialogue with Member States to in- networks of scientists, will be fa- mutual assistance, and transfer of corporate their comments and sugges- cilitated by IOC regional entities technology. tions into the fi nal draft strategy and in cooperation with the IOC sec- 9. Partners and programmes whose vision statement. The result of all these retariat. Importance will be paid to capacity building strategies are in inputs is a richer, more inclusive docu- leadership programmes for heads harmony with the IOC Principles of ment profi ting from the experiences and aspirations across the spectrum of IOC Member States. We strongly believe that with innovative and passionate

Dr Venu leaders, supported by committed scientifi c teams Ittekkot, addressing concerns of their regions, no problem can Chairman of the Consulting remain intractable Group on Capacity Building. of organizations and team-build- Capacity Building will be sought. ing programmes for scientists. In particular JCOMM, GOOS and 5. Capacity Building Pilot Pro- COOP will form the core group for grammes will address training operational products. needs in close partnership with the 10. Information and communication Global Ocean Observing System and awareness raising at different (GOOS), the Joint Technical Com- societal levels will be important ac- In this process we were also fortunate mission for Oceanography and Ma- tivities in support of capacity build- to have the experience and wisdom of rine Meteorology (JCOMM), the ing at the professional levels. a group of scientists, science adminis- Coastal Ocean Observations Panel 11. Funding resources are critical to trators, directors of scientifi c institu- (COOP), the Committee on Earth capacity building efforts and sev- tions, and scientifi c advisors to guide Observation Satellites (CEOS) eral mechanisms will be evolved us. They form the Consultative Group and other organizations and pro- to ensure that interventions do not on Capacity Building (CGCB), set up grammes on available operational falter because of lack of resources. by the IOC Executive Secretary, to products, remote sensing data and 12. Capacity building initiatives will be guide the Capacity Building Section numerical model outputs. This will evaluated for effectiveness and ef- as it developed its basic documents form the short-term component of fi ciency and best practices continu- ‘Principles and Strategy’ and the ‘Im- the Pilot Programmes – the “know- ously distilled from such analyses. plementation Plan’. The fi nal Draft how”. Strategy for Capacity Building will 6. Education and research probe presented to the Assembly in June grammes will form the long-term Keys to success in the 2005. It is summarized as follows: components of the Capacity Build- strategic process ing Pilot Programmes – the “know- The underlying principle of sustain- 1. Capacity building interventions why”. In this way, products specifi c ability is maintained through self-de- will follow the Principles of Ca- to regional needs can be created in termined capacity building efforts. In pacity Building. future. this frame we target heads of research 2. The Medium-Term Strategy 7. Regional networks of scientists and institutes/universities/industries as key of IOC, and its main operating stakeholders participating in the Pi- players in combination with scientists, themes, will be the framework lot Programmes will be facilitated working in true teamwork. We strongly

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 79 believe that with innovative and pas- Regional Alliances as key partners in their regions. This content will be used sionate leaders, supported by committed through which operational training can to prioritize interventions and align them scientifi c teams addressing concerns of be effected. The marine operational com- within the Main Lines of Action of IOC. their regions, no problem can remain in- munity has much to offer, and partners We expect to have attendance of all the tractable. This principle of sustainability and programmes such as GOOS, COOP, Chairs of the IOC Regions present so that refl ects in initiatives of ‘know-how’ as and JCOMM have greater resources and the plan is a true refl ection of the con- well as ‘know-why’. ‘Know-how’ ad- programmes to which the IOC capacity cerns of the region. Sponsors of capacity dresses quick returns on capacity build- building efforts must contribute. building programmes, funding agencies, ing investments through training, whilst and Member States will be invited. The ‘know-why’ addresses the longer-term or Best Practices and the Workshop will be attended and coordi- ‘sustainable’ element of capacity building Implementation Plan nated by the CGCB. through education and research. The Executive Council also asked for a study on IOC Best Practices in Capacity The internet and mobile telephony have Building. The Secretariat was further di- opened new opportunities that capacity rected to develop an implementation plan Training, Education building must exploit. Capacity building as a follow-up to the strategy. The USA must set the right elements in place, for generously supported both these requests. and Mutual sustainability to take. As a result a Best Practices study was Assistance (TEMA) contracted to Groman Consulting Inter- The key funding approach prescribed national Ltd., and the document will be Regional Activities and Projects is writing proposals for funding that are ready as an information document for the The IOC Capacity Building Secretari- business-like in their approach by hav- Twenty-third Assembly. at co-organized and provided funding ing clear, well-defi ned deliverables and for several regional capacity building associated performance indicators. Long- The Implementation Plan Workshop will events directly linked to the IOC’s term committed sponsors are needed who be held in the fi rst quarter of 2005. The programme of work. Some highlights understand that the capacity building pro- Secretariat has drafted an ‘Approach to from 2004 include: cess is not short. They must be willing to the Implementation Plan’ to assist regions stay the course, without compromising on format content on the different initiatives fi rst-class deliverables measured against demanding performance indicators.

There are many other important elements in the strategy document. These address partners, their programmes, operational products, remote sensing, GIS, and modelling. Given the enormity of the capacity building task, executing entities will be as important as the philosophy of the strategy. In this process we see the GOOS

PORSEC 2004: ‘Remote Sensing of Oceans, Coasts and the Atmosphere’. Regional capacity building events, such as this one held in Chile, are directly linked to the IOC’s 80 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 programme of work. Capacity Building Intervention Location Sectional Activity Date Regional Training Course on ‘Application of Satellite Luigi Broglio Space Centre, IOCWIO, TEMA Sept. 2004 Altimetry to Oceanography’ Malindi, Kenya Regional Workshop on ‘El Niño Early Warning for Sustain- San Cristobel, IOCARIBE, TEMA Sept. 2004 able Development in Pacifi c Rim Countries and Islands’ Galapagos Islands, Ecuador Second Symposium on ‘Global Ocean Data Assimilation St. Petersburg, USA TEMA Nov. 2004 Experiment in Operation: Demonstrating Utility’ Regional Workshop on ‘Remote Sensing Capacity Building University of Concepción, Chile IOCARIBE, TEMA Nov. 2004 Needs for Latin America and the Caribbean’ PORSEC 2004: ‘Remote Sensing of Oceans, Coasts and the University of Concepción, Chile IOCARIBE, TEMA, Nov. 2004 Atmosphere’ GOOS Postgraduate course in Oceanography: ‘Use of RS and GIS University of Concepción, Chile IOCARIBE, TEMA Oct.–Dec. for Coastal Water Applications’ 2004 Travel grants for twelve scientists from developing regions Latin America, Eastern Europe, TEMA 2004 Africa, Middle East, Asia Innovative coastal research grants for scientists from Chile Brest, France and Bilbao, Spain TEMA 2004 and Senegal IOC–SCOR–POGO Fellowships to seventeen scientists Spain, Canada, Italy, Malaysia, TEMA 2004 UK, New Zealand, Mauritius Travel grants to scientists to attend POGO Meeting in France Brest, France TEMA, POGO Nov. 2004 Diffusion of ASFA–IAMSLIC information and database Africa TEMA, IODE 2004 products to research institutes in developing countries Two participants to the ICES–IOC Working Group on HAB Calvi, France Ocean Sciences Apr. 2004 Dynamics FANSA Portal Itajai, Brazil Itajai, Brazil Ocean Sciences June 2004 Fourteen individual internships at the IOC–VIGO HAB Copenhagen, Denmark and Ocean Sciences 2004 Centres Vigo, Spain IOC Training Course on HAB Identifi cation for sixteen Copenhagen, Denmark Ocean Sciences July 2004 participants IOC IAEA Training Course on HAB South East Africa for Cape Town, South Africa Ocean Sciences June 2004 ten participants Ocean TTR 14 onboard R/V Prof. Logachev for thirteen N. Atlantic/W. Mediterranean Ocean Sciences July–Sept. participating research institutes Cruises 2004 Twelfth Post TTR Cruise Meeting on ‘North Atlantic and Copenhagen, Denmark Ocean Sciences Jan. 2004 Labrador Sea Margin Architecture and Sedimentary Processes’ attended by fi fteen research students Oceanographic Training on the Beagle Earth Global Australia and Ocean Sciences 2003–2004 Expedition 2003 (BEAGLE) Southern Hemisphere NIPPON Foundation–GEBCO Training Project Postgraduate University of New Hampshire, REGIONS 2004 Certifi cate in Ocean Bathymetry USA BILKO Learning Project: Virtual Global Faculty for Remote Developed at Southampton GOOS Oct. 2004 Sensing Oceanography Centre, UK Travel support to fi ve participants from developing countries Paris, France GOOS July 2004 to attend the COSPAR Scientifi c Assembly First Capacity Building Workshop for the GOOS Regional Imperial College, University of GOOS Sept. 2004 Alliances Network Development (GRAND) London, UK UNESCO cross-cutting project ‘Application of Remote Sens- UNEP Nairobi, Kenya UNESCO CCT and Oct. 2004 ing for Integrated Management of Ecosystems and Water IOC–GOOS Resources in Africa’ organized the Coastal Ocean Satellite Remote Sensing Session and Workshop in the framework of the Fifth Conference of the African Association of Remote Sensing of the Environment, and support for two participants

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 81 Dissemination of data, information and GOOS products South Pacifi c GOOS 2004 throughout the Pacifi c Island Region in cooperation with WMO and other agencies Training Course for Editors of the African Ocean Portal (part Accra, Ghana IODE Nov. 2004 of cross-cutting project on UNESCO Knowledge Portals); ten participants from Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Senegal and Tanzania Planning Workshop for Ocean Data Management in Colom- Cartagena, Colombia IODE June 2004 bia (National Level); more than thirty-fi ve participants Ocean Data Management Training Workshop (National Caracas, Venezuela IODE Oct. 2004 Level); more than fi fteen participants with a regional ODINCARSA trainer Ocean Data Management Training Course (National Level); Valparaiso, Chile IODE Nov. 2004 more than twenty participants

Section News

In 2004, the IOC Secretariat strength- The emerging Capacity Building Sec- services of Peter Enone, a Cameroo- ened its capacity building activities by tion has to grow fast in both human nian student studying at the Free Univer- creating a new Section. Ehrlich Desa, and ﬁ nancial resources. It presently sity of Brussels, and Joannes Berque, earlier with the National Institute of has only one other regular employee in a recent doctorate from Scripps Institute Oceanography at Goa, India (which was Sonia Guiraud who ably administers, of Oceanography. For the short periods founded in response to the International budgets, and carries out all the innumer- that they are working in the Capac- Indian Ocean Expedition in which IOC able tasks that crop up in an intergovern- ity Building Section they have brought played a coordinating role) joined the mental organization. The Section was some refreshing enthusiasm and the op- Secretariat in December 2003. very fortunate to have the temporary timism necessary in these tasks.

82 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 Annexes Photo by Andrea Rasetti Photo by Andrea

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 83 IOC Ofﬁ cers

IOC Ofﬁ cers at Major’s Parlour, Winchester, UK, 23 January 2004.

Front row from left: Dr Patricio Bernal (Chile)[Executive Secretary]; Dr David Thomas Pugh (UK)[Chairman];

Standing from left: Dr Alexander V. Frolov (Russia); Prof. Su Jilan (China) [Past-Chairman]; Dr K. Radhakrishnan (India), Prof. Mário Ruivo (Portugal); C. de Navío Javier Armando Valladares (Argentina); Prof. Amor El Abed (Tunisia); [Vice-Chairmen]

The IOC Rules of Procedure indicate that the Offi cers of the Commission shall consist of the Chairperson and fi ve Vice-Chairpersons. The fi ve Vice-Chairpersons shall be nationals of Member States of different electoral groups (as listed in Appendix II of the Rules of Procedure.) The IOC Offi cers are elected every two years for a maximum of two terms.

84 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 IOC Member States

AFGHANISTAN (11 March 1991) * GERMANY (Before November 1961) POLAND (Before November 1961) ALBANIA (26 January 1993) GHANA (Before November 1961) * PORTUGAL (Oct. 1969/Nov. 1971) * ALGERIA (Jul. 1964/Nov.1965) GREECE (Oct. 1962/Jun. 1964) QATAR (20 July 1976) ANGOLA (26 October 1982) GUATEMALA (Dec. 1965/Oct. 1967) * REPUBLIC OF KOREA (Before November 1961) * ARGENTINA (Before November 1961) GUINEA (01 May 1982) ROMANIA (Before November 1961) * AUSTRALIA (Before November 1961) GUINEA-BISSAU (26 January 1984) * RUSSIAN FEDERATION (Before Nov. 1961) AUSTRIA (Oct. 1962/Jun. 1964) GUYANA (20 July 1977) SAINT LUCIA (14 September 1992) AZERBAIJAN 527 January 1998) HAITI (23 March 1976) SAMOA (10 April 1978) BAHAMAS (29 January 1979) ICELAND (Oct. 1962/Jun. 1964) SAUDI ARABIA (14 June 1978) BANGLADESH (29 October 1982) * INDIA (Before November 1961) * SENEGAL (Oct. 1967/Sep. 1969) BARBADOS (18 December 1985) * INDONESIA (Oct. 1962/Jun. 1964) SEYCHELLES (27 February 1979) * BELGIUM (Before November 1961) * IRAN, Islamic Republic of (03 June 1975) SIERRA LEONE (19 April 1974) BELIZE (22 September 1995) IRAQ (Oct. 1969/Nov. 1971) SINGAPORE (Dec. 1965/Oct. 1967) BENIN (23 October 1986) IRELAND (07 November 1978) SLOVENIA (16 June 1994) * BRAZIL (Before November 1961) ISRAEL (Before November 1961) SOLOMON ISLANDS (11 May 1982) BULGARIA (Oct. 1967/Dec. 1969) * ITALY (Before November 1961) SOMALIA (10 July 1974) CAMEROON (Nov. 1971/Nov. 1973) * JAMAICA (Oct. 1967/Dec. 1969) * SOUTH AFRICA (Oct. 1967/Sep. 1969) * CANADA (Before November 1961) * JAPAN (Before November 1961) * SPAIN (Before Nov.1961) CAPE VERDE (20 August 1984) JORDAN (06 April 1975) SRI LANKA (Jun. 76/Jan. 1977) * CHILE (Before November 1961) * KENYA (Nov. 1971/Nov. 1973) SUDAN (26 August 1974) * CHINA (Before November 1961) KUWAIT (13 November 1974) SURINAM (21 January 1977) COLOMBIA (Oct. 1967/Dec. 1969) LEBANON (Oct. 1962/Jun. 1964) SWEDEN (Jul. 1964/Nov. 1965) COMOROS (08 February 2000) LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA (11 March 1974) SWITZERLAND (Before Nov. 1961) CONGO (Nov. 1961/Sep. 1962) MADAGASCAR (Dec. 1965/Oct. 1967) SYRIAN ARAB REP. (Oct.1969/Nov. 1971) * COSTA RICA (28 February 1975) * MALAYSIA (Jul. 1964/Nov. 1965) THAILAND (Before Nov. 1961) COTE D’IVOIRE (Before November 1961) MALDIVES (20 May 1987) TOGO (22 October 1975) CROATIA (24 December 1992) MALTA (Oct. 1969/Nov. 1971) TONGA (03 January 1974) * CUBA (Before November 1961) MAURITANIA (Before November 1961) TRINIDAD & CYPRUS (05 December 1977) TOBAGO (Oct. 1967/Sep. 1969) MAURITIUS (Oct. 1969/Nov. 1971) Democratic People’s * TUNISIA (Before Nov. 1961) Republic of KOREA (31 October 1978) * MEXICO (Before November 1961) * TURKEY (Nov. 1961/Sep. 1962) DENMARK (Before November 1961) MONACO (Before November 1961) * UKRAINE (Nov. 1961/Sep. 1962) DOMINICA (21 September 1999) MOROCCO (Before November 1961) UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (02 June 1976) DOMINICAN REP. (Before November 1961) MOZAMBIQUE (08 April 1981) * UNITED KINGDOM OF * ECUADOR (Before November 1961) MYANMAR (07 June 1988) GREAT BRITAIN & * EGYPT (Oct. 1969/Nov. 1971) NAMIBIA (25 April 2001) NORTHERN IRELAND (Before Nov. 1961) EL SALVADOR (16 February 1993) NETHERLANDS (Before November 1961) * UNITED REPUBLIC OF TANZANIA (Oct. 1967/Sep. 1969) ERITREA (12 November 1993) NEW ZEALAND (Nov. 1961/Sep. 1962) * UNITED STATES ESTONIA (10 March 1992) NICARAGUA (17 November 1977) OF AMERICA (Before Nov. 1961) ETHIOPIA (05 March 1976) * NIGERIA (Nov. 1971/Nov. 1973) URUGUAY (Before Nov. 1961) FIJI (09 July 1974) NORWAY (Before November 1961) VENEZUELA (Oct. 1962/Jun. 1964) * FINLAND (Before November 1961) OMAN (16 November 1982) VIET NAM (Before Nov. 1961) * FRANCE (Before November 1961) PAKISTAN (Before November 1961) YEMEN (22 May 1960) * GABON (26 October 1977) PANAMA (Oct. 1967/Sep. 1969) GAMBIA (30 August 1985) * PERU (Dec. 1965/Oct. 1967) * Members of the Executive Council GEORGIA (09 July 1993) * PHILIPPINES (Oct. 62/Jun. 1964)

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 85 IOC Structure

ASSEMBLY EXECUTIVE COUNCIL EXECUTIVE SECRETARY SECRETARIAT

Operational Ocean Sciences Ocean Services Observing Systems

• Oceans and Climate • Global Ocean Observing • InternationalInternational OceanographicOceanographic DDataata (WCRP, JGOFS, CLIVAR, System (GOOS) and Information Exchange (IODE) El Niño, SCOR-IOC Advisory (GODAR, MIM, GTSPP, MEDI, • GOOS Modules, Regional Panel on Ocean CO2) ASFA, GETADE, GEBCDMEP, Bodies and Pilot Projects GEMIM, Ocean Teacher, OceanPor- • Science for Ocean Ecosystems (OOPC, COOP, GODAE, Argo) tal, OceanExpert, MarineXML) and Marine Environmental Protection (HAB, Indicators • Integrated Global Observing • IODE regional projects for Ecosystem Health, Nutrient Strategy (IGOS) (ODINAFRICA, ODINCARSA, Enrichment, LME, Biosphere- • Joint Technical Commission Regional Ocean Portals, Geosphere Coupling) for Oceanography and Marine MEDAR/MEDATLAS) • Marine Science for Integrated Meteorology (JCOMM) • IDNDR-Related Activities Coastal Area Management (DBCP, SOOP, TIP, GLOSS) International Tsunami Warning (COASTS, LOICZ-Basins, ICAM • Global Climate Observing Sys- System (ITSU) Indicators, Global Web-Service, tem (GCOS) Coastal Megacities, ICAM Meth- • Ocean Mapping odological Manual) • Satellite Remote Sensing (GEBCO, GAPA, IBCM) • United Nations Convention on the • Public Information Law of the Sea (IOC/ABE-LOS, (IOC website, newsletters, other ABLOS, Special Arbitration) publications, posters, brochures and leaﬂ ets, public eevents)vents)

CAPACITY BUILDING TEMA • POGO • FELLOWSHIPS • TTR

REGIONS 2 Regional Subcommissions, 4 Committees and 6 Programme/Project offices

IOCARIBE IOCINDIO HAB Offi ce, GOOS Offi ce, Copenhagen, Denmark Perth, Australia WESTPAC IOCWIO HAB Offi ce, GOOS Offi ce, Vigo, Spain Rio de Janeiro, Brazil IOCEA DBCP/Argo Offi ce, IOCWIO Black Sea Toulouse, France Project offi ce, Nairobi, Kenya

86 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 Organization of Secretariat Staff AT I

A. Vannier

SECRETAR Schiller-Ricotou• F. • ) Offi ce, Nairobi, Kenya Offi (part-time) econdment S (local post), WESTPAC, Bangkok, Thailand AA IOCWIO WESTPAC, Bangkok, Thailand IOCARIBE, Cartagena, Colombia Rio Offi ce (part-time), RioBrazil Offi

V. VladymyrovV. NO IOCARIBE, Cartagena, Colombia Perth Ofﬁ ce, Australia Perth Ofﬁ PROFESSIONALS • D. Travin • • R.B. Gelfeld ( • B. Sims • J. Perce HEAD OF SECTION Ocean Services/IODE PissierssensP. W. Velez,W. • J. Trotte, • M. Odido, • Erb,W. • C. Toro, • M. Fortes, Professional Staff REGIONAL PROJECT OFFICES/SUBCOMMISSIONS REGIONAL PROJECT Services Staff General • • N.Saransunth, AT I /

I. Gazagne C. Whelan AT I SECRETAR • • H. H. Lam • Coughlan P. ) ) . .) ) S. Sermeno ) ) HEAD OF SECTION TEMA/Regions E. Desa SECRETAR • S. Guiraud • (half-time) econdment S Toulouse ( Toulouse AA ( since March ( NO

( Bernal

since Aug.) ( Fisher . T. Aarup T. B. Lee A ADG/IOC Secretary Executive Patricio WMO/Consultant since Mar Associate Expert until Nov PROFESSIONALS • • • • C. Clark Tréglos • Y. ( • J. Ahanhanzo • E. Charpentier • M. Bélbéoch • K. Hashimoto ( .) TS v HEAD OF SECTION GOOS Systems, Observing Operational C. Summerhayes K. Alverson o ALIS

) . AT d I e n o Bénière B

. R. Hervé-Smadja G. S.Sermeno Boned P. P until Aug halftime, since N SECRETARIES • • ( • ( DOCUMENTALISTS DOCUMENT • • C. Pontes . Le Conan C SECRETAR • Bonnet• V. ANT T SSIS xed-Term A Fi )

less otherwise speciﬁ ed)less otherwise speciﬁ TIVE )

. (un TRA J. Barbière Copenhagen until Dec PROFESSIONALS • • M. Hood • H. Enevoldsen ( • O. Vestergaard ( HEAD OF SECTION Ocean Sciences U. Unluata ALDs Permanent Staff/ Temporary Posts K. Yvinec B. Aliaga Supernumerary • • • • • Consultants ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATIVE ADMINIS • ASSISTANT OF THE ADG THE OF ASSISTANT • CONSULTANT UNCLOS • A. Mateos OFFICE OF THE ADG

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 87 IOC Personnel : Adrien Vannier, Kasu Hashimoto : Adrien Vannier, Sims, Colin Summerhayes, Boram Lee, Umit Unluata, Justin Ahanhanzo, B ernardo Aliaga Row Top Personnel not shown in the above photo: not shown in the above Personnel Keith Alverson, Graziela Bénière, Mathieu Belbéoch, Virginie Bonnet, Candyce Clark, Eti- Graziela Bénière, Mathieu Belbéoch, Virginie Alverson, Keith Erb, Albert William Coughlan, Ehrlich Desa, Henrik Enevoldsen, Pamela enne Charpentier, Irène Gazagne, Bob Gelfeld, Ho Hien Lam, Aurora Mateos, Nachapa Miguel Fortes, Fischer, Ksenia Velez, Wills Patricia Vladymyr Vladymyrov, Janice Trotte, Tréglos, Saransunth, Yves Yvinec : Gregory Reed (ex Staff), Sonia Guiraud, Julian Barbière, C. de Navío Javier Javier Sonia Guiraud, Julian Barbière, C. de Navío Staff), Reed (ex : Gregory : Ole Vestergaard, Cesar Toro, Maria Hood, Peter Pissierssens, Cesar Toro, : Ole Vestergaard, : Mika Odido, Patrice Boned, Jennifer Perce, Silvia Semeño, : Mika Odido, Patrice : Dr K. Radhakrishnan (Vice-Chairman), Dr David T. Pugh (Chairman), T. Dr David : Dr K. Radhakrishnan (Vice-Chairman), Headquarters personnel shown in the photo (left to right): personnel Headquarters Front row Front Secretary), Bernal (Executive Dr Patricio Prof. Su Jilan (Past-Chairman), Christiane Le Conan, Cigié Pontes (Vice-Chairman), Prof. Mário Ruivo Second row Thorkild Aarup Third Row Françoise Ricotou, Dimitri Travin Row Fourth Benjamin Chairman), Prof. Amor El Abed (Vice-Chairman), (Vice Armando Valladares

88 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 In Memoriam One of the world’s notable tide Photo courtesy of Bertrand Le Provost Photo courtesy of Bertrand modellers and leaders in GODAE Topex/Poseidon data and the proof of their importance upon the dissipation of tides Dr Christian Le Provost (1943-2004) and ocean circulation.’

In 2004 the Intergovernmental Ocean- Christian Le Provost conducted pioneer- Parallel to maintaining an active research ographic Commission of UNESCO ing research in ocean physics, remote career and for some years also being Di- noted with sorrow the passing of sensing and ocean modelling, always act- rector of the Laboratoire d’Etudes en our colleague and friend, Dr Christian ing at the forefront of these disciplines. He Géophysique et Océanographie Spatiales, Le Provost. He was a highly esteemed published more than eighty refereed pub- Christian played a very active role in many oceanographer and it was an honour lications. His early research was focused international scientiﬁ c projects and groups. to have worked with him. In particular, on both theoretical and experimental stud- He participated in the Intergovernmental we express our debt to him for his ded- ies of non-linear tides in the coastal ocean. Oceanographic Commission of UNES- ication and contribution to the Global These results were applied to the English CO’s Global Sea-Level Observing System Sea Level Observing System (GLOSS) Channel in association with application (GLOSS) Group of Experts since the early and the Global Ocean Data Assimila- of a physical model implanted on the ‘ro- 1990s, of which he was just elected Chair tion Experiment (GODAE). Our condo- tating Grenoble platform’. This yielded in October 2003. He was also a mem- lences are with his family. remarkable insight in terms of character- ber of the Ocean Observations Panel for istics of amplitude and phase of the tidal Climate (OOPC), the steering commit- Patricio A. Bernal constituents for the area. With access to tee on the Global Data Assimilation Ex- Executive Secretary, IOC of UNESCO high speed computers Christian’s work periment (GODAE) and the associated turned towards numerical tidal and ocean French initiative for operational global modelling, ﬁ rst on a regional scale and ocean high resolution monitoring and later on a global scale. His contributions forecasting – MERCATOR, co-presi-

he sudden death of Christian to the understanding of ocean tides and dent of the Science Working Team for Rasetti photo by Andrea Background Le Provost came as a shock the use of remote sensing in the numeri- Topex/Poseidon/Jason satellite missions to all who knew Christian in cal hydrodynamical modelling of this and Chair of the Atlantic Task Team of T the IOC community. Chris- phenomenon are exceptional achieve- EuroGOOS, to name a few. tian was a highly distinguished scien- ments, for which he received the Nansen tist and one of the world’s leading tide Medal from the European Geophysical Just before he died, Christian compiled modellers. Society in 1999. He was also awarded and presented a major overview of the role the Grand Prix des Sciences de la Mer de of sea level data within coastal and deep Dr Christian Le Provost died suddenly on l’Académie des Sciences de l’Institut de ocean data assimilation at a meeting of 29 February 2004 while on vacation in France in 1999 and the Prix Scientifi que sea level scientists at the Royal Society in Brittany, France. Emile Girardeau de L’Académie de Ma- London. rine in 2000. Christian began his research career at Christian’s achievements measure high France’s National Centre for Scientifi c Christian maintained his zest for wanting and he was one of the tall trees in the for- Research (CNRS) as a research engineer to understand even more. Towards the end est that now has fallen, along with Galileo, in 1967 and became Director of Research of his life he was focused on the phenom- Descartes, Kepler, Newton, Euler, Ber- in 1984. In 1980 he created the research enon of internal tides and their impact on noulli, Kant, Laplace, Airy, Lord Kelvin, group ‘Modélisation des Ecoulements vertical mixing of water masses, which Jeffreys and Munk. Océaniques et des Marées’ at Institut de had long been unattainable for model- Mécanique de Grenoble (IMG), a group ling. He recently wrote to a friend, ‘this To many of us Christian was a very good which he directed until 1996. In 1997 is the last big challenge for me to attain. friend and he has left a big gap in the Christian moved to Toulouse to become I am fi ve years away from retirement and community and will be sadly missed. the Director of the Laboratoire d’Etudes that might be just enough to clear up this en Géophysique et Océanographie Spa- fi eld that I truly believed was out of reach Text courtesy of Bernard Barnier, Jean-Marc Mo- tiales (LEGOS), a position which he held of study and modelling, even at the scale lines, Jacques Verron, S. Debarbat and Philip until 2003. of a basin, before our discoveries with the Woodworth.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 89 Publications and 2003. (Training Course Reports, 73.) 16 pp. (English, electronic copy only.)

Public Awareness 2004. Final ODINAFRICA II Training Course in Marine Data Management, Brussels, Belgium, 1–5 September 2003. (Training Course Reports, 74.) IOC Publications 68 pp. (English, electronic copy only.)

Each year the IOC publishes numerous documents and other publications. These 2004. Second ODINCARSA Training publications support its programme activities and communicate the scientiﬁ c and Course in Marine Data Management, organizational information resulting from the various conferences, meetings, train- Cartagena, Colombia, 13–17 October ing courses and other activities that have beneﬁ ted from IOC’s support. Many of 2003. (Training Course Reports, 75.) these publications are available on the internet; certain titles are also available in (English, electronic copy only.) print where the internet is not an option. 2004. IOC/JCOMM Training Course for the Global Sea Level Observing IOC TECHNICAL SERIES IOC WORKSHOP REPORTS System (GLOSS) on Sea Level Ob- Gupta, Harsh K. 2004. Anton Bruun Vanden Berghe, Edward et al. (eds). servation and Analysis, Kuala Lum- Memorial Lecture, 2003. Gas-Hy- 2004. Proceedings of the Colour of pur, Malaysia, 9–20 February 2004. drates – A Potential Source of Energy Ocean Data Symposium, Brussels, 25– (Training Course Reports, 77.) 28 pp. from the Oceans. (Technical Series, 27 November 2002. Paris, UNESCO/ (English, electronic copy only.) 65.) 28 pp. (English.) IOC, Oostende, VLIZ. (Workshop Reports, 188.) 307 pp. ISSN 1377- INFORMATION DOCUMENTS 0950. (English.) IOC/INF-1192. 2004. Medium-Term Strategy/Stratégie à Moyen Terme/Es- 2004. First ODINCARSA trategia a Plazo Medio 2004-2007. 73 Planning Workshop for Carib- pp. (English, French, Spanish, Russian.) bean Islands, Christchurch, Barbados, 15–18 December 2003. (Workshop Reports, 190.) (English, electronic copy only.)

2004. North Atlantic and Labrador Sea Margin Ar- chitecture and Sedimentary Processes – International Confer- Rayner, Ralph. 2004. Anton Bruun ence and Twelfth Post-Cruise Meet- Memorial Lecture, 2001. Operational ing of the Training-Through-Research Oceanography – A Perspective from Programme, Copenhagen, Denmark, the Private Sector. (Technical Series, 29–31 January 2004. (Workshop Re- 58.) (English.) ports, 191.) 49 pp. (English)

Takahashi, Patrick. 2004. Anton Bruun 2004. Workshop on New Technical De- Memorial Lecture, 2003. Energy from the velopments in Sea and Land Level Ob- Sea: The Potential and Realities of Ocean serving Systems, Paris, France, 14–16 Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC). October 2003. (Workshop Reports, (Technical Series, 66.) 29 pp. (English.) 193.) 211 pp. (English, electronic copy only.) IOC/INF-1193. 2004. prov. Guide- IOC MANUALS AND GUIDES lines. Guidelines for the Structure and 2004. Submarine Groundwater Dis- TRAINING COURSE REPORTS Responsibilities of the Subsidiary Bod- charge: Management Implications, 2004. ODINAFRICA II Training ies of the Commission, and for the Es- Measurements and Effects. (Manuals Course in Marine Data Management, tablishment of Decentralized Ofﬁ ces. and Guides, 44.) 35 pp. (English.) Maputo, Mozambique, 11–22 August 22 pp. (English.)

90 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 IOC/INF-1194. 2004. prov. Provision- OTHERS WITH THE IOC al Guidelines for the Preparation of SPONSORSHIP Documents, Reports, Resolutions and Wilkinson, Clive (ed.). 2004. Status of Recommendations of IOC Meetings. Coral Reefs of the World: 2004. 13 pp. (English.) Townsville/Darwin/Perth, Australian Institute of Marine Science, 2 Vols. IOC/INF-1195. 2004. GCOS Second Adequacy Report and Implementation Soto, Luis A. (ed.). 2003. Agustín Aya- Plan: Background. 4 pp. (English.) la Castañares: universitario, impulsor de la investigación cientíﬁ ca. México, IOC/INF-1196. 2004. The New GESA- Universidad Nacional Autónoma de MP, Science for Sustainable Oceans. México. 371 pp. 18 pp. (English.)

IOC/INF-1197. 2004. Caring for the Sea – Accomplishments, Activities and Future of the United Nations GESA- MP, Elsevier Publisher Abstract. 13 pp. (English.) Sales Publications IOC/INF-1198. 2004. Proposal to In- vestigate Marine Impacts on Lowland UNESCO Publishing Agriculture and Coastal Resources Morcos, Selim et al. (eds). 2004. (MILAC). 7 pp. (English.) Ocean Sciences Bridging the Mil- lennia: A Spectrum of Historical REPORTS OF GOVERNING AND Accounts. Paris, UNESCO/IOC, MAJOR SUBSIDIARY BODIES Beijing, China Ocean Press. 507 pp. 2004. Thirty-seventh Session of the Ex- ISBN 92-3-103936-9. (€45.) ecutive Council, Paris, 2004. (Reports of Governing and Major Subsidiary The IOC committed to the creation Bodies, 105.) 121 pp. (English, French, of two series of the UNESCO Pub- Spanish, Russian.) lishing House: the ‘IOC Ocean Fo- rum Series’ and ‘Monographs on REPORTS OF MEETINGS OF Oceanographic Methodology’. EXPERTS AND EQUIVALENT BODIES Hallegraeff, G.M., Anderson, D.M. 2004. Fourth Meeting of the Advisory and Cembella, A.D. (eds). 2004. Body of Experts on the Law of the Manual on Harmful Marine Microal- Sea, Lefkada, Greece. 2004. (Reports gae, 2nd rev. edn. Paris, UNESCO of Meetings of Experts and Equiva- Publishing, 792 pp. (Monographs on lent Bodies, 201.) 33 pp. (English, Oceanographic Methodology, 11.) French.) ISBN 92-3-103948-2. (€49.50.) Further information is available at: NEWSLETTERS Jacques, Guy and Le Treut, Hervé. http://ioc.unesco.org 2004. Harmful Algae News, No. 25, 2004. Climate Change [Le change- June 2004; No. 26, October 2004; No. ment climatique]. Paris, UNESCO Enquiries or requests 27, December. Paris. 2004. Publishing, 160 pp. (IOC Ocean Fo- for any of the above titles rum Series, 5.) ISBN 92-3-103938-5. may be addressed to 2004. Window. Western Indian Ocean (English and French.) (€14.80.) the IOC Documentalist: Waters, Vol. 14, No. 1, January 2003; Patrice Boned No. 2, August 2003; No. 3, November [email protected] 2003; No. 4, December 2004. Paris. Fax: +33 1 45 68 58 10

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 91 IOC Participation in 2004 Events

Event Date Venue IOC Department OceanPortal/HABSEA Regional Workshop Microscopy Course 5–11 January Hue, Viet Nam Ocean Sciences IOCCP Workshop on Underway Sensors and Data Formats for 14–17 January Tsukuba, Japan Ocean Sciences Ocean Carbon UN–Oceans Interagency Meeting 25–26 January Paris, France Ocean Sciences Workshop on Integrated Coastal Area and River Basin Manage- 26–29 January Lima, Peru Ocean Sciences ment (ICARM) in the South East Paciﬁ c, UNEP (PNUMA) Sixth Session of the Coastal Ocean Observations Panel 26–30 January. Wellington, Operational Observing Systems New Zealand IOC/GLOSS Training Course 8–21 February Kuala Lumpur, Operational Observing Systems Malaysia LOICZ AfriCat II Workshop on River Catchments and Coastal 16–18 Mombasa, Ocean Sciences Impact February Kenya IGOS Coastal Theme Meeting 23–25 Paris, France Operational Observing Systems February Regional Planning Meeting for a Project on Shoreline Protection 3–5 March Dakar, Senegal Ocean Sciences through ICAM Steering Group Meeting for the Global Web Service on Oceans, 8 March Washington, Ocean Sciences Coasts and Islands USA Working Group on Integrated Coastal Management (ICAM) 9–10 March Washington, Ocean Sciences USA JCOMM Management Committee, Third Session (MAN-III) 17–21 March Geneva, Operational Observing Systems Switzerland ICES/IOC/IMO Working Group on Ballast and 21–23 March Cesenatico, Ocean Sciences Other Ship Vectors Italy Joint FAO/IOC/WHO Expert Workshop on Biotoxins 22–24 March Dublin, Ireland Ocean Sciences in Molluscan Bivalves Second Session of the IODE Group of Experts on Biological 22–24 March Liverpool, UK Ocean Services and Chemical Data Management and Exchange Practices Large Marine Ecosystems Meeting 29–30 March Paris, France Ocean Sciences SCOR–IOC International Symposium On Quantitative 31 March– Paris, France Ocean Sciences Ecosystem Indicators for Fisheries Management 3 April ICES–IOC Working Group on HAB Dynamics 5–8 April Corsica, France Ocean Sciences ICAM–LAC Second Workshop 12–13 April Recife, Brazil Ocean Sciences Eighth Session of IOC Subcommission for the Caribbean and 14–17 April Recife, Brazil IOCARIBE Adjacent Regions (IOCARIBE-VIII) UN Atlas Editorial Meeting 15–16 April Rome, Italy Ocean Services First ODIMEX Planning and Technical Meeting 19–23 April Cape Town, Ocean Services South Africa Sixth IOC/WESTPAC International Scientiﬁ c Symposium 19–23 April Hanzhou, China WESTPAC, Bangkok GEOHAB Open Science Meeting on HABs in Fjords and 21–26 April Valparaiso, Ocean Sciences Coastal Embayments Chile Seventh Session of the GOOS Steering Committee (GSC-VII) 26–30 April IFREMER Operational Observing Systems Brest, France Fourth Open-Ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans 4–7 May Lefkada, Greece Secretariat and the Law of the Sea

92 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 SG-MarineXML 6–7 May Oostende, Ocean Services Belgium SCOR–IOC CO Panel Joint Steering Committee Meeting with 9 May Paris, France Ocean Sciences Event Date Venue IOC Department 2 GCP/SOLAS/IMBER Ocean Carbon Research Groups OceanPortal/HABSEA Regional Workshop Microscopy Course 5–11 January Hue, Viet Nam Ocean Sciences Oceans in a High CO2 World 10–12 May Paris, France Ocean Services IOCCP Workshop on Underway Sensors and Data Formats for 14–17 January Tsukuba, Japan Ocean Sciences Workshop on Operational Metocean Products and Services 10–15 May Toulouse, Operational Observing Systems Ocean Carbon (Ocean Ops 04) France UN–Oceans Interagency Meeting 25–26 January Paris, France Ocean Sciences Ocean Carbon Model Intercomparison Project Annual Meeting 13–14 May Paris, France Ocean Sciences Workshop on Integrated Coastal Area and River Basin Manage- 26–29 January Lima, Peru Ocean Sciences Marine Pollution Emergency Response Support System 17–20 May Toulouse, Operational Observing Systems ment (ICARM) in the South East Pacifi c, UNEP (PNUMA) (MPERSS) Meeting and JCOMM Services Coordination Group, France Sixth Session of the Coastal Ocean Observations Panel 26–30 January. Wellington, Operational Observing Systems Second Session (SCG-II) New Zealand Global News Spring Workshop 24–27 May Paris, France Ocean Sciences IOC/GLOSS Training Course 8–21 February Kuala Lumpur, Operational Observing Systems First Planning Meeting of the UNESCO Interdisciplinary 31 May–2 June Yaroslavl, Rus- Ocean Sciences Malaysia Initiative on the Sustainable Development of the Caspian Sea sian Federation LOICZ AfriCat II Workshop on River Catchments and Coastal 16–18 Mombasa, Ocean Sciences FANSA Portal Workshop 4–6 June Itajai, Brazil Ocean Sciences Impact February Kenya Ninth Session of the Ocean Observations Panel for Climate 7–10 June Southampton, Operational Observing Systems IGOS Coastal Theme Meeting 23–25 Paris, France Operational Observing Systems England February IAEA–IOC Regional Training Course to Harmonize Approaches 7–11 June Cape Town, Ocean Sciences Regional Planning Meeting for a Project on Shoreline Protection 3–5 March Dakar, Senegal Ocean Sciences to HAB and Toxin Monitoring of Phytoplankton and Shellfi sh South Africa through ICAM Joint Meeting with IAEA–UNESCO on Submarine 21–23 June Monaco Ocean Sciences Steering Group Meeting for the Global Web Service on Oceans, 8 March Washington, Ocean Sciences Groundwater Discharge Coasts and Islands USA Thirty-seventh Session of Executive Council 23–29 June Secretariat Working Group on Integrated Coastal Management (ICAM) 9–10 March Washington, Ocean Sciences Paris, France USA ASFA Advisory Board 29 June–2 July Mar del Plata, Ocean Services JCOMM Management Committee, Third Session (MAN-III) 17–21 March Geneva, Operational Observing Systems Argentina Switzerland Integrated Coastal Area Management Indicators Steering Group 30 June 2004 Paris, France Ocean Sciences ICES/IOC/IMO Working Group on Ballast and 21–23 March Cesenatico, Ocean Sciences Other Ship Vectors Italy ODINAFRICA–III – ICAM Meeting 12–13 July Nairobi, Kenya Ocean Sciences Joint FAO/IOC/WHO Expert Workshop on Biotoxins 22–24 March Dublin, Ireland Ocean Sciences Global Carbon Project Fourth Steering Committee 12–15 July Goa, India Ocean Sciences in Molluscan Bivalves IOC Advanced Training Course on Harmful Marine Microalgae 19–30 July Copenhagen Ocean Sciences Second Session of the IODE Group of Experts on Biological 22–24 March Liverpool, UK Ocean Services Denmark and Chemical Data Management and Exchange Practices GEMIM-VIII 2–3, 10 Hobart, Aus- Ocean Services Large Marine Ecosystems Meeting 29–30 March Paris, France Ocean Sciences September tralia SCOR–IOC International Symposium On Quantitative 31 March– Paris, France Ocean Sciences IOC/WIOMSA Regional Training Course on Applications of 6–17 Malindi, Kenya Ocean Services Ecosystem Indicators for Fisheries Management 3 April Satellite Altimetry to Oceanography September ICES–IOC Working Group on HAB Dynamics 5–8 April Corsica, France Ocean Sciences Twentieth Anniversary of IFREMER 23 September Paris, France Secretariat ICAM–LAC Second Workshop 12–13 April Recife, Brazil Ocean Sciences Meeting of IOC Benthic Indicator Study Group 6–9 October Sardinia, Italy Ocean Sciences Eighth Session of IOC Subcommission for the Caribbean and 14–17 April Recife, Brazil IOCARIBE JCOMM Data Buoy Cooperation Panel, Twentieth Session 18–22 October Chennai, India Operational Observing Systems Adjacent Regions (IOCARIBE-VIII) (DBCP-XX) UN Atlas Editorial Meeting 15–16 April Rome, Italy Ocean Services Argos Joint Tariff Agreement (JTA-XXIV) 25–27 October Chennai, India Operational Observing Systems First ODIMEX Planning and Technical Meeting 19–23 April Cape Town, Ocean Services ODINAFRICA Project Management Committee Meeting 25–29 October Accra, Ghana Ocean Services South Africa African Ocean Portal Editors Meeting 1–5 November Lagos, Nigeria Ocean Services Sixth IOC/WESTPAC International Scientifi c Symposium 19–23 April Hanzhou, China WESTPAC, Bangkok GEOHAB Open Science Meeting on HABs in Fjords and 21–26 April Valparaiso, Ocean Sciences Coastal Embayments Chile Seventh Session of the GOOS Steering Committee (GSC-VII) 26–30 April IFREMER Operational Observing Systems Brest, France Fourth Open-Ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans 4–7 May Lefkada, Greece Secretariat and the Law of the Sea

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 93 The Twenty-second Session of the IOC Assembly (24 Funding for IOC June–2 July 2003) approved the programme and budget based upon anticipated resources, which for 2004-2005 were expected to amount to $12,055,900 (the regular bud- Programmes get allocation of $8,495,900 provided by UNESCO under the Real Growth $610M 32C/5 Scenario to fi nance direct programme costs [$4,743,900] and staff costs [$3,752,000– total approved net of lapse] and expected voluntary con- Introduction tributions from Member States and international organiza- This Annual Report describes a wide spectrum of activi- tions were estimated at $3,560,0001). ties that highlight the relevance of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO’s pro- ‘The Approved Programme and Budget for UNESCO for grammes in 2004. Together with national and non-govern- 2004-2005’ (Document 32 C/5) confi rmed the funding for mental initiatives, the implementation of IOC programmes the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission at the and related staff costs during 2004 was fi nanced through in- level approved by the Assembly. come from UNESCO as part of its regular programme allocation, as approved by the UNESCO General Conference, The allocation of $4,743,900 for direct programme costs and from extra-budgetary resources, notably those provided represents an increase of forty-six per cent (representing by IOC Member States and partner organizations through $1,500,00 more) compared to the previous biennium. How- their contributions to the Intergovernmental Oceanographic ever, the Executive Council at its Thirty-seventh session Commission of UNESCO Special Account and contribu- (23–29 June 2004), while noting this increase with appreci- tions for specifi c projects through the creation of UNESCO ation, expressed its concern that ‘as a result of the increas- Funds-in-Trust. This Financial Report does not consider ing long-term responsibilities of the IOC in global ocean other contributions (either direct or in kind) provided by issues, the resources available to IOC will fall below the Member States in support of the Commission’s programme level needed to sustain the work of the Commission, and execution, which do not enter the budgetary fl ow of IOC. that extra-budgetary contributions, although substantial, cannot be expected to fi ll this gap.’

Table 1a. Summary of IOC Income in 2004 (in US$)

Type of Funding Programme Personnel Total Regular Programme Allocation (UNESCO) Budget 2,371,950.00 1,876,000.00 4,247,950.00 (according to 32 C/5, before running costs) Contributions to the IOC Special Account 2,866,263.67 390,769.40 3,257,033.07 Contributions to Speciﬁ c Extrabudgetary Projects 1,607,375.85 293,600.00 1,900,975.85 (including UNESCO Funds-in-Trust) TOTAL 6,845,589.52 2,560,369.40 9,405,958.92

The total amount of resources available for programme The most relevant fraction of the fi xed cost of the operation implementation in 2004 was $6,845,589.52 of which of the IOC is personnel, representing twenty-seven percent of $4,473,639.52 came from sources other than the UNESCO the total expenditure. the $2,560,369.4 was allotted for per- regular budget. The contribution from the regular budget sonnel to fi nance the total of 44 employees at Headquarters towards programme implementation represents thirty-fi ve (34) and in the Field (10). Of these, 28 are professional staff per cent of the total available funding. and 16 provide administrative and secretariat assistance. Also, two secondments (C. Clark and R. Gelfeld) were provided by NOAA.

1. Funds already received or ﬁ rmly committed.

94 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 Regular programme implementation and budget for the biennium, in this case 2004 and 2005. UNESCO’s and therefore IOC’s budget is implemented over The funds unspent on 2004 allotments are therefore carried a period of two years, based on the approved programme over to 2005.

Table 1b. Budget Implementation Rate for the Biennium 2002–2003 (in US$)2

Activity Code Title Allocation* Allotment Total Available on Impl. 2004-2005 2004 (Year 1) Expenses Allocation Rate Main Line of Action (MLA) 1 – OCEAN SCIENCE 22151101 IOC World Climate Research Programme 45,000.00 22,500.00 0 45,000.00 0% 22151102 IOC Ocean Carbon Advisory Panel 85,000.00 42,500.00 36,196.95 48,803.05 85% 22151103 IOC Ocean Observations Panel for Climate 124,000.00 62,000.00 55,051.33 68,948.67 89% 22151201 IOC Harmful Algal Blooms 82,000.00 41,000.00 32,547.17 49,452.83 79% 22151202 IOC Environmental Variability and Ecosys- 76,000.00 38,000.00 36,035.04 39,964.96 95% tem Change 22151203 IOC Global Change and Large Ecosystems 83,300.00 41,650.00 30,111.73 53,188.27 72% 22151301 IOC Interdisciplinary Coastal/Watershed 60,000.00 30,000.00 18,522.59 41,477.41 62% Studies 22151302 IOC ICAM Methodologies, Information 80,000.00 40,000.00 28,537.84 51,462.16 71% Products and Indicators 22151303 IOC Support to NEPAD Coastal Component 97,850.00 32,675.00 31,831.52 66,018.48 97% 22151304 IOC ICAM Regional Project Development 56,000.00 26,000.00 11,576.06 44,423.94 45% 22151305 DAK Shoreline Protection through ICAM: 9,500.00 9,500.00 8,377.76 1,122.24 88% Dakar Planning 22151306 NAI NEPAD Coastal and Marine Unit (COS- 23,000.00 23,000.00 16,262.00 6,738.00 71% MAR) Subtotal MLA 1 821,650.00 408,825.00 305,049.99 516,600.01 75% MLA 2 – GLOBAL OBSERVING SYSTEMS 22152101 IOC Overall GOOS Design and Policy 136,000.00 68,000.00 59,910.16 76,089.84 88% 22152102 IOC Coastal GOOS Observations and Design 74,000.00 37,000.00 36,506.49 37,493.51 99% 22152103 IOC Implementation of GOOS through 420,000.00 120,000.00 98,170.85 321,829.15 82% JCOMM 22152201 IOC GOOS Regional Development 255,950.00 217,975.00 164,774.34 91,175.66 76% 22152202 IOC Regional GOOS Ofﬁ ces Support 278,000.00 139,000.00 138,943.97 139,056.03 100% Subtotal MLA 2 1,163,950.00 581,975.00 498,305.81 665,644.19 86% MLA 3 – OCEAN SERVICES 22153101 IOC Further Development of the IODE Sys- 389,000,00 204,500.00 204,488.87 184,511.13 100% tem and Its Products 22153201 IOC Ocean Mapping Activities 141,500.00 82,750.00 81,149.24 60,350.76 98% 22153301 IOC Strengthening of Responsive Warning 58,500.00 29,250.00 29,217.79 29,282.21 100% Systems for Tsunamis Subtotal MLA 3 589,000.00 316,500.00 314,855.90 274,144.10 99%

2. Based on SAP records as of 3 January 2005. Authoritative figures are those contained in the financial statements prepared by the UNESCO Comptroller’s Office.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 95 MLA 4 – POLICY 22154101 IOC Governing Bodies Meetings 180,000.00 80,000.00 75,584.46 104,415.54 94% 22154102 IOC Ofﬁ cers Meeting 35,000.00 35,000.00 34,999.60 0.40 100% 22154103 IOC Subscriptions to SCOR and GESAMP 70,000.00 35,000.00 34,999.36 35,000.64 100% 22154104 IOC Assistant to ADG/IOC 91,000.00 0 0 91,000.00 22154201 IOC ICP Meetings 8,000.00 4,000.00 3,999.47 4,000.53 100% 22154202 IOC ABE-LOS Activities 114,000.00 57,000.00 56,999.59 57,000.41 100% 22154203 IOC Global Marine Assessment and Forum 30,000.00 15,000.00 14,964.18 15,035.82 100% of the Oceans 22154301 IOC Public Awareness on Ocean Issues 275,000.00 152,500.00 150,258.51 124,741.49 99% Subtotal MLA 4 803,000.00 378,500.00 371,805.17 431,194.83 98% MLA 5 – CAPACITY BULDING AND REGIONS 22155101 IOC TEMA General Grants Scheme 60,000.00 34,850.00 34,195.51 25,804.49 98% 22155102 IOC TEMA POGO Scheme 60,000.00 30,000.00 30,000.00 30,000.00 100% 22155103 IOC TEMA UNESCO IOC Chairs 24,000.00 9,000.00 8,999.82 15,000.18 100% 22155104 IOC TEMA CB Activities General Pool 120,000.00 60,000.00 59,952.10 60,047.90 100% 22155105 IOC TEMA Training-through- 40,000.00 20,000.00 19,999.75 20,000.25 100% Research TTR Scheme 22155201 IOC WESTPAC Regional Subcommission 213,000.00 106,500.00 103,882.58 109,117.42 98% 22155202 IOC IOCARIBE Regional Subcommission 170,000.00 80,000.00 76,833.92 93,166.08 96% 22155203 IOC IOCEA Regional Committee 48,000.00 39,000.00 4,075.02 43,924.98 10% 22155204 IOC IOCINDIO Regional Committee 39,955.00 29,955.00 10,000.00 29,955.00 33% 22155205 IOC IOCWIO Regional Committee 50,000.00 0 0 50,000.00 22155206 IOC Black Sea, Volga-Caspian and Other 83,000.00 41,500.00 41,374.32 41,625.68 100% Regions 22155207 QUI IOCARIBE- IODE ODINCARSA 14,000.00 14,000.00 14,000.00 0 100% 22155208 NAI IOCWIO 2004 Project Ofﬁ ce 36,045.00 36,045.00 36,009.30 35.70 100% Subtotal MLA 5 958,000.00 500,850.00 439,322.32 518,677.68 88% TOTAL IOC 4,335,600.00 2,186,650.00 1,929,339.19 2,406,260.81 88% * Allocation of funds available after running costs deduction

96 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 II. Contributions to the IOC Special Account

Table 2. 2004 Member States’ Contributions to the IOC Special Account (in US$)

LIST OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED IN 2004 Donor Amount Purpose MLA 1 – SCIENCE Intern.Centre for Living Resources (Malaysia) 4,500.00 Coral Reefs Project (reimbursement) USA (NOAA) 20,000.00 Global NEWS Project USA (SD) 56,000.00 GEF/WB Coral Reefs Research and CB France (CEA) 382.35 Ocean Carbon Project (reimbursement) SCOR 8,838.00 Ocean Carbon Project USA (NOAA) 7,000.00 ICAM USA (NOAA) 15,000.00 ICAM Performance Indicators USA (NOAA) 15,000.00 ICAM Performance Indicators Spain 38,133.00 HAB Vigo Centre Activities USA (SD) 24,000.00 HAB Training (including manuals) Denmark (Danish Royal 165,563.35 HAB Centre (including staff component) Ministry for Foreign Affairs) Subtotal 421,416.70 MLA 2 – GOOS USA (NOAA) 120,000.00 Argo Proﬁ ling Float USA (NOAA) 24,000.00 GOOS Steering Committee WMO 19,273.42 GOOS Activities USA (SD) 20,000.00 Communications USA (SD) 30,000.00 Publications/Web USA (SD) 50,000.00 XBT Workshop ICSU 20,000.00 GOOS Activities USA (NOAA) 60,000.00 GODAE USA (NOAA) 20,000.00 GLOSS ESA (Eurisy) 5,650.00 GLOSS USA (SD) 40,000.00 GLOSS Global Core Network FAO 12,000.00 COOP USA (ONR) 10,000.00 COOP UNEP 2,000.00 GOOS Programme Activities UNEP 18,000.00 GOOS Programme Activities UK (IACMST) 18,000.00 GOOS Programme Activities UK (IACMST) 10,000.00 GLOSS Italy (IMC) 4,039.42 MAMA Project Subtotal 482,962.84 MLA 3 – SERVICES Belgium (Government of Flanders) 12,353.54 IODE Activities USA (NOAA) 15,000.00 Biodiversity Meeting Hamburg (November 2004) Chile 3,000.00 ITSU Korea (Republic of) 1,000.00 ITSU Peru 2,760.00 ITSU

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 97 USA (SD) 40,000.00 ITSU France (IFREMER) 7,615.48 EurOcean WMO 11,656.00 Subtotal 93,385.02 MLA 4 -– POLICY Canada 21,703.34 Global Forum (reimbursement) Canada 7,602.77 Global Forum (reimbursement) IOI 2,500.00 Global Forum (reimbursement) France (National Commission) 12,437.80 ABELOS France (NU-OI) 54,151.65 UNCED Follow-Up France (IFREMER) 19,083.90 Twenty Years of IFREMER/IOC Event USA (SD) 30,000.00 Representation in GMA, UNOceans, GEO USA (SD) 40,000.00 WCRP Subtotal 187,479.46 MLA 5 – CAPACITY BULDING AND REGIONS USA (NOAA) 25,000.00 Pacifi c Island GOOS Regional Alliance USA (NOAA) 25,000.00 IOCARIBE-GOOS USA (NOAA) 6,750.00 IOCARIBE-GOOS USA (NOAA) 15,000.00 POGO University of Malta 18,976.93 GRAND Project - IOCARIBE Canada (CIDA) 58,785.11 IOCARIBE (ICAM) Government of China 20,000.00 WESTPAC Regional Activities USA (NOAA) 20,000.00 Rio-GOOS Offi ce USA (NOAA) 50,300.00 PIRATA University of Malta 18,976.93 GRAND Project–RIO USA (NOAA) 16,500.00 IOCARIBE Offi ce France (IFREMER) 3,078.83 GODAE Meeting Florida, USA USA (SD) 70,000.00 CB Strategy (meetings) USA (SD) 20,000.00 CB Guide for Best Practices USA (SD) 40,000.00 IOCARIBE CB Pilot Phase USA (NOAA) 12,500.00 GODAE Meeting Florida, USA Subtotal 420,867.80 STAFF France (IFREMER) 19,975.04 Argo Coordinator United Kingdom (MetOffi ce) 37,548.00 Argo Coordinator Canada (CIDA) 7,390.86 Argo Coordinator Australia (CSIRO) 7,855.50 Argo Coordinator USA (NOAA) 62,500.00 Albert Fischer USA (NOAA) 12,500.00 Albert Fischer USA (NOAA) 25,000.00 Albert Fischer USA (SD) 10,000.00 Albert Fischer USA (NOAA) 12,500.00 Maria Hood USA (NOAA) 112,500.00 Maria Hood USA (NOAA) 70,000.00 International Affairs ALD World Bank 13,000.00 Coral Reefs Project Staff (reimbursement) Subtotal 390,769.40

98 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 NON-EARMARKED Canada 12,583.91 Programme Activities in General Canada (DFO) 11,076.17 Programme Activities in General USA (SD) 30,000.00 Programme Activities in General Subtotal 53,660.08 INTEREST 5,273.00 First Quarter 13,688.00 Second Quarter 9,128.00 Third Quarter 15,401.00 Fourth Quarter Subtotal 43,490.00 TEMPORARY ALLOCATIONS/TRANSFERS Italy (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) 1,184,830.00 ADRICOSM (pending project creation) Transfer to 193POL2001 to Cover Deﬁ cit -21,828.23 Subtotal 1,163,001.77 TOTAL 3,257,033.07

2004 Contributions Breakdown by Main Programme Axes Non-earmarked and interests 5% Science Staff 20% 19%

GOOS CB/Regions 23% 20% Policy Services 9% 4%

2004 Contributions Breakdown by Type of Donor

UN system agencies Other 1% organizations 4%

Member States 92%

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 99 III. IOC Special Account - Expenditure

For the sake of clarity, it should be explained that volun- 191POL2010 - General/Policy tary contributions to the IOC Special Account are deposited 191SCI2020 - Ocean Science into the IOC General Revenue Account (194IOC9090) from 191SER2030 - Ocean Services which funds are allotted to the ﬁ ve accounts established in 191GOS2040 - Global Ocean/Coastal Observing Systems accordance with the IOC programme structure. The expen- 191CAP2050 - Capacity Building/ Regional Cooperation diture is recorded on these operational subaccounts:

Table 3. Expenditure on Operational Codes under the IOC Special Account (in US$)

Budget Type of Expenditure 191POL2010 191SCI2020 191SER2030 191GOS2040 191CAP2050 Lines 10 Other Personnel Cost 0 0 0 244.38 5,402.00 11.00 International Experts 40,828.42 273,091.31 0 174,217.23 172,541.03 11.50 Consultants 23,026.14 0 0 8,776.27 25,848.33 13 Administrative Support 73,276.70 13.49 0 0 29,825.13 Personnel 16 Mission Costs 24,065.36 49,253.23 12,122.39 24,308.96 63,310.21 Subtotal Project Personnel 161,196.62 322,358.03 12,122.39 207,546.84 296,926.70 10 20 Subcontracts 18,436.58 65,166.58 20,571.47 203,755.80 54,990.00 30 Training and Seminars/Meetings 57,532.27 2,846.69 21,754.77 136,360.64 10.13 40 Equipment and Maintenance 4,502.52 19,541.07 7,582.48 8,321.06 6,481.68 50 Miscellaneous (including sundry 8,777.10 1,012.08 84.62 1,430.39 35.00 expenditure) TOTAL 250,445.09 410,924.45 62,115.73 557,414.73 358,443.51

Personnel Equipment and Maintenance Programme-related expenses 400,000

350,000

300,000

250,000

200,000

150,000

100,000

50,000

0,00 191POL2010 191SCI2020 191SER2030 191GOS2040 191CAP2050

100 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 IV. Contributions for Speciﬁ c Extrabudgetary Projects, including UNESCO Funds-in-Trust3

Table 4. 2004 Contributions for Speciﬁ c Extrabudgetary Projects (in US$)

Project Code Purpose Donor Amount MLA 1 - OCEAN SCIENCE 193INT2000 IOC/UNEP/GEF Project on Large Marine Ecosystems UNEP/GEF 400,000.00 213INT2002 Nutrient Transport to Coastal Ecosystems UNEP 8,158.85 Subtotal 408,158.85 MLA 2 – GOOS 193GLO2001 DBCP WMO 204,000.00 Subtotal 204,000.00 MLA 3 - OCEAN SERVICES 513INT2000 Sustainable Management of Marginal Drylands Govt. of Flanders 307,750.00 513RAF2003 ODINAFRICA-III Govt. of Flanders 512,877.00 513RAF2004 Development of an African Repository for Electronic Publications Govt. of Flanders 69,140.00 513RAF2005 Geosphere-Biosphere Coupling Processes in the Ocean Govt. of Flanders 108,750.00 513RAS2000 Biodiversity and Distribution of Megafaunal Assemblages Govt. of Flanders 44,000.00 in the Abyssal Nodule Province of the Eastern Equatorial Paciﬁ c 513GLO2002 ODIMEX Govt. of Flanders 156,700.00 Subtotal 1199,217.00 MLA 5 - CB AND REGIONS 804GLO2044 Associate Expert Japan 89,600.00 Subtotal 89,600.00 TOTAL 1,900,975.85

V. IOC Programme Funding in 2004 – Regular Programme (RP) versus Extrabudgetary4 (EXB) Ratio by Main Programme Axes

2,500,000 EXB RP 2,000,000

1,500,000

1,000,000

500,000

0 MLA 1 MLA 2 MLA 3 MLA 4 MLA 5 Ocean Science GOOS Ocean Services Policy CB and Regions

3. The above table provides information on contributions credited to specifi c extrabudgetary projects in 2004 as recorded in SAP. Authoritative fi gures are those contained in the fi nancial statements prepared by the UNESCO Comptroller’s Offi ce. 4. Including both contributions to the Special Account and to specifi c extrabudgetary projects, including UNESCO Funds-in-Trust.

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 101 102 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 103 104 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 105 106 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 Acronyms

ABE-LOS Advisory Body of Experts on the Law of the Sea (IOC) ACOPS Advisory Committee on Protection of the Sea AGU American Geophysical Union AOPC Atmospheric Observation Panel for Climate APEC Asia-Pacifi c Economic Cooperation Argo GODAE global profi ling fl oat project (not an acronym) BATHY Bathythermograph Report, or code for reporting temperature profi le observations BBC British Broadcasting Corporation CARICOM Caribbean Community CD-ROM compact disk – read only memory CEOS Committee on Earth Observation Satellites CGCB IOC Consultative Group on Capacity Building CLIVAR Climate Variability and Predictability Programme (WCRP) CNES Centre National d’Etudes Spatiales (French national space centre/agency)

CO2 Carbon Dioxide COOP Coastal Ocean Observations Panel (GOOS) COSMAR/NEPAD Coastal and Marine Unit of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development CSD Commission on Sustainable Development (UN) DBCP Data Buoy Cooperation Panel (WMO-IOC) DNA Designated National Agency (IODE) EC European Commission, also Executive Council (e.g. WMO or IOC) ENSO El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ocean/atmosphere interaction study) EOS AGU’s weekly newspaper of geophysics, also NASA’s Earth Observing System EOS I Earth Observation Summit, Washington, DC EOS II Earth Observation Summit, Tokyo, Japan ESA European Space Agency FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FUST Flanders UNESCO Trust Fund GCOS Global Climate Observing System (WMO-ICSU-IOC-UNEP) GCP Global Carbon Project GCRMN Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network GDA GEBCO Digital Atlas (GEBCO Database) GEBCO General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans GEF Global Environment Facility (World Bank-UNEP-UNDP) GEO The Ad Hoc Group on Earth Observations GEOHAB Global Ecology and Oceanography of HABs (IOC-SCOR) GEOSS Global Earth Observation System of Systems GESAMP Joint Group of Experts on the Scientiﬁ c Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (IMO-FAO-UNESCO-WMO-WHOIAEA-UN-UNEP) GLOBEC Global Ocean Ecosystems Dynamics Programme (SCOR, IOC, IGBP/ICSU) GLOSS Global Sea Level Observing System GODAE Global Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment GODAR Global Oceanographic Data Archaeology and Rescue Project (IODE)

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 107 GOOS Global Ocean Observing System (IOC-WMO-UNEP-ICSU) GPO GOOS Project Offi ce GSC GOOS Steering Committee HAB Harmful Algal Bloom HAE-DAT Metadata database on Harmful Algal Events HDNO Head Department of Navigation and Oceanography (of the Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation) IABP International Arctic Buoy Programme (DBCP) IAEA International Atomic Energy Agency IAMSLIC International Association of Aquatic and Marine Science Libraries and Information Centres IBCAO International Bathymetric Chart of the Arctic Ocean IBCCA International Bathymetric Chart of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico IBCEA International Bathymetric Chart of the Central Eastern Atlantic IBCM International Bathymetric Chart of the Mediterranean IBCSEP International Bathymetric Chart of the South Eastern Pacifi c IBCWIO International Bathymetric Chart of the Western Indian Ocean IBCWP International Bathymetric Chart of Western Pacifi c ICAM Integrated Coastal Area Management (also name of IOC programme) ICARM Integrated Coastal Area and River Basin Management ICES International Council for the Exploration of the Sea ICG/ITSU International Coordination Group for the Tsunami Warning System in the Pacifi c (IOC) ICM Integrated Coastal Zone Management ICSU International Council for Science ICT Information and Communication Technology IFREMER Institut Français de Recherche pour l’Exploitation de la Mer (French Research Institute for the Exploitation of the Sea) IGBP International Geosphere-Biosphere Programme (ICSU) also known as Global Change Programme IGO Intergovernmental Organization I-GOOS Intergovernmental GOOS Committee (IOC-WMO-UNEP) IGOS Integrated Global Observing Strategy IGOSS Integrated Global Ocean Services System (IOC-WMO) IHDP International Human Dimensions Programme on Global Environmental Change (ISSC-ICSU) IHO International Hydrographic Organization IHP International Hydrological Programme (UNESCO) IMO International Maritime Organization IOC Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO) IOCARIBE IOC Subcommission for the Caribbean and Adjacent Regions IOCCP International Ocean Carbon Coordination Project IOCEA IOC Regional Committee for the Central Eastern Atlantic IOCWIO IOC Regional Committee for the Cooperative Investigation in the North and Central Western Indian Ocean IOCINDIO IOC Regional Committee for the Central Indian Ocean IODE International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IOC) IOGOOS Indian Ocean GOOS IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

108 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 ITIC International Tsunami Information Center IWG Intergovernmental Working Group (on IOC Oceanographic Data Exchange Policy) JCOMM Joint Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (WMO-IOC) JGOFS Joint Global Ocean Flux Study (IGBP) LME Large Marine Ecosystem LOICZ Land-Ocean Interaction in the Coastal Zone (IGBP) MEDAR/ Mediterranean Data Archaeology and Rescue/Mediterranean (and Black Sea) Atlas MEDATLAS MedGLOSS Mediterranean GLOSS MedGOOS Mediterranean GOOS project MEDI Marine Environmental Data Information Referral Catalogue MOU Memorandum of Understanding MPA Marine Protected Area MSL Mean Sea Level NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration (USA) NEAR-GOOS North-East Asian Regional GOOS NEPAD New Partnership for Africa’s Development NGO Non-Governmental Organization NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA) NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (USA) NODC National Oceanographic Data Centre (IODE) ODIMeX Oceanographic Data and Information Management ODIN Ocean Data and Information Network ODINAFRICA Ocean Data and Information Network for Africa (IOC and Flanders) ODINCARSA Ocean Data and Information Network for the IOCARIBE and South America regions ODINEA Ocean Data and Information Network for Eastern Africa (IODE) OOPC Ocean Observations Panel for Climate (GCOS-GOOS-WCRP) OOS Operational Observing Systems (IOC programme section) OS Ocean Services (IOC programme section) OSS Ocean Sciences Section (IOC programme section) PACSICOM Pan-African Conference on Sustainable Integrated Coastal Management PICES North Pacifi c Marine Science Organization PIRATA Pilot Research Moored Array in the Tropical Atlantic POGO Partnership for Observation of the Global Oceans PR China People’s Republic of China PSMSL Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level PTWC Pacifi c Tsunami Warning Center R/V Research Vessel SCOR Scientifi c Committee on Oceanic Research (member of ICSU) SEAGOOS South East Asia Regional GOOS SGD Submarine Groundwater Discharges SHOM Service Hydrographique et Océanographique de la Marine (France) SOLAS Surface Ocean – Lower Atmosphere Study (WCRP)

INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 109 SOOP Ship-of-Opportunity Programme TEMA Training, Education and Mutual Assistance in the Marine Sciences (IOC cross-cutting provision/programme) TMT Transfer of Marine Technology TSG Thermosalinograph TTR Training-through-Research UN United Nations UNCED UN Conference on Environment and Development UNCLOS United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNEP United Nations Environment Programme UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientiﬁ c and Cultural Organization UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change VLIZ Flanders Marine Institute (Belgium) VSAT Very Small Aperture Terminal; earthbound station used in satellite communications of data, voice and video signals, excluding broadcast television WAGOOS Western Australia GOOS WCRP World Climate Research Programme (WMO-ICSU-IOC) WESTPAC IOC Subcommission for the Western Paciﬁ c WHO World Health Organization WMO World Meteorological Organization WOCE World Ocean Circulation Experiment (WCRP) WSSD World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg, 2002) WWW World Weather Watch (WMO) www World Wide Web XBT Expendable Bathythermograph

110 INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION • Annual Report 2004 Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)

United Nations Educational, Scientiﬁc and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) 1, rue Miollis, 75732 Paris Cedex 15, France Tel: +33 1 45 68 39 83 Fax: +33 1 45 68 58 12 Web site: http://ioc.unesco.org