Home
Forgot your password?
Addressing new frontiers in a ‘decade of oceans’
|
The 9th Session of the JCOMM (Joint Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology) Observations Coordination Group (OCG) was held in Brest, France from 15-17 May 2018.
Prior to the meeting, on 14 May, was the JCOMMOPS DAY at the IFREMER Campus. IFREMER is an oceanographic institution in France.
The aim of this day was for a JCOMMOPS tour and review of progress, financials, issues, challenges and opportunities, along with a presentation of the plan for the next 12 months. JCOMMOPS acts as a focal point for implementation and operation of relevant observing platforms from the JCOMM OCG networks:
- Argo
- Data Buoy Cooperation Panel (DBCP)
- OceanSITES
- GO-SHIP, the global ocean ship-based hydrographic investigation programme
- Ships Observation Team (Voluntary Observing Ships/Ships of Opportunity Programme (SOT [VOS/SOOP])
- International Ocean Carbon Coordination Programme
- Global Sea Level Observing System (GLOSS)
The Centre is funded thanks to voluntary contributions from IOC-UNESCO (Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and WMO (World Meteorological Organisation) member states, through the marine observing programmes. Panels such as JCOMMOPS occupy a unique place as the focal point for the practical coordination of the in-situ ocean observing systems defined by JCOMM.
|
Its role consists of the following core activities:
- to assist in the implementation and deployment of the observing networks through close interaction with programme managers and platform operators, and through capacity development and outreach;
- to assist in establishing, maintaining and verifying mechanisms for the timely exchange of data and metadata, including the facilitation of quality control and archival functions; and
- to develop the consistent set of tools needed to monitor the status of the observing system and its attendant data and metadata distribution, so as to identify action areas and improve the overall effectiveness and development of the system.
The JCOMMOPS review continued throughout the rest of the week, with key international role players taking part and also sitting in on the JCOMM 9 meeting.
JCOMM Observations Coordination Group (OCG) 9 meeting
On 15 May the OCG 9 meeting started, covering a number of presentations and topics. Delegates were reminded of the purpose of JCOMM OCG:
- OCG will review, advise on and coordinate ocean and marine observing systems and activities;
- Contribute towards a fit-for-purpose, integrated and coherent observing system that supports rapidly expanding stakeholders;
- Contribute to and engage with international and regional observing system implementation and integration efforts; and
- OPA (observation programme areas) and other programme areas will address new frontiers, regionally focused pilots and increased demand for informational products.
OceanObs
Of particular interest were the discussions around OceanObs planning and the white paper that OCG are leading as well as a presentation on the IOC decade of the oceans. This was well received and among other suggestions, the involvement of early-career scientists in both of these activities was emphasised.
The need to start interacting with economists was highlighted to ensure that there is an impact on society of ocean observations and to start reducing risks. A key question raised was How do we formulate the economic value of decreasing uncertainty? The OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) is looking at this topic.
|
A series of presentations on implementation around OCG and emerging networks followed, with the aim of summarising current status and providing a forward-looking view for existing and emerging networks covering highlights from the previous year, strategic goals, challenges, risks and opportunities for improved coordination across the network. This started with a review across current networks and programmes: Argo and the DBCP, GLOSS, GO-SHIP, OceanSITES, SOT (VOS/SOOP) and IOCCP.
Emerging networks
Following this, presentations were given on the emerging networks - Oceangliders, HF Radar as well as the SOCONET - Surface Ocean CO2 Observing NETwork. This was an example of an EOV (Essential Ocean Variable) approach to products as it was relevant across all networks.
EOVs have been put together through consultation with the observing community. Given the cost and difficulties of observing the ocean, EOVs were created to avoid duplication, promote assessments across observing platforms and to provide a cost-effective way of observing and addressing climate, operational ocean services and ocean health (http://www.goosocean.org).
An interesting discussion was held regarding what it means to be an OCG network, which focused on what the emerging networks need to focus on and also what the benefits are to the networks, as well as a reminder of what they need to achieve and maintain.
Although IOCCP is not officially a network, it has always presented on what the different networks are doing towards biogeochemical observations. However, it was highlighted that in future the networks should include this within their presentations to integrate biogeochemistry more fully.
OCG new development areas were discussed with the aim to increase awareness of areas for global network development supported through OCG. This continued discussions of integrating BGC observations within the observing networks and there was also a presentation by the GOOS BioEco panel on emerging bio-networks and the first implementation plans (corals, phytoplankton) for global networks.
Standards and best practices
Juliet Hermes, manager of SAEON’s Egagasini Node, led the session on standards and best practices and presented the work she has done as part of the Best Practices Working Group. Further details of this will be given in another newsletter article and are also available here.
The final day had a focus on data. The new OCG vice chair of data management was introduced and presented on clear objectives for OCG in relation to data management moving forward, the connection to JCOMM DMPA (Data Management Program Area), WIGOS (WMO Integrated Global Observing System), role of new technology and OCG, Open Access GTS (Global Telecommunication System) Pilot “what next” upon successful demonstration of the open access GTS capabilities, data integration and interoperability, progress, connection to other activities and global/regional entities, ERDDAP (Environmental Research Division Data Access Program), and “big data”/cloud services.
Following the data discussions, there was an interesting discussion on Services and Feedback Cross JCOMM/GOOS with an update on the services programme area: vision development, areas of potential intersection with OCG, including user products and the transition from observing system to applications/services. A special presentation was given on Copernicus Marine Environmental Monitoring Services and their uses and priorities for ocean observations, including user products and the transition from observing system to applications/services.
Following this, the new JCOMM report card and the network specification sheets were discussed. The meeting concluded with a wrap up of activities and an action list for the next year.
With such an intensive few days of meeting we all welcomed the opportunity to get out for an evening. This was possible due to the local hosts organising a lovely supper in the fishing village of Le Conquet near Brest.
