Brazil

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The first Brazilian TransAntlantic Oceanographic Cruise was accomplished on 23 December 2009, after two months of intensive data collection in the Atlantic Ocean, between latitudes 30° and 20° S.

During the cruise 11 integrated projects were conducted, coordinated by leading scientists from 16 research institutions of Brazil. 50 researchers and graduate students were directly involved. The preliminary results of the cruise have been discussed on 22 January 2010.

An exhibition was organized on board the training ship “Brazil”, to be demonstrated in port of calls around the world. For more information about the exhibition on board the Brazilian NavyTraining Ship "BRAZIL" go to BRAZIL.

In May 2010, a special session about IOC was organized in conjunction with the Brazilian Oceanographic Congress held in Rio Grande. There are plans to organize a 2-day meeting in November 2010 at the Oceanographic Institute of Sao Paulo State University under the title “The Oceans and Society: the role of the Oceanographic Institute of Sao Paulo (IOUSP) in implementing the programs of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)”.

As planned a special event under the title "Oceans and Society" was held at the Oceanographic Institute of the University of Sao Paulo on 18 November 2010 with the support from the Brazilian Ministry of Science and Technology (MST).

With an attendance of over 250 participants, the event had as an overall goal the establishment of guidelines for optimizing policies that foster oceanographic research in Brazil. Other goals were the dissemination of the IOC programs and their relevance to society and also to promote debates with the aim to establish a set of agreed guidelines on the use of the oceanographic research knowledge for public policy developments and the sustainable use of the ocean and coastal ecosystems.

The event featured two keynote lectures:

1. The policy for ocean-sciences’ research funding - Dr. Carlos Henrique de Brito Cruz, Scientific Director of the Sao Paulo Research Agency, FAPESP, and;
2. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and its lines of action - Dr. Luciano Fonseca, from IOC.

Besides the lectures, the event also featured two round tables: one on oceanographic research and public policy in Brazil: gaps and potential; and the other on oceanographic research and funding in Brazil.

On the cultural side, the event held three exhibits: one about the IOC and its 50 years of operation, one on Ocean and Antarctica (provided by the Interministerial Commission for the Marine Resources) and yet another one honoring Professor Wladmir Besnard (from the Oceanographic Institute of the University of São Paulo). Together with the last exhibit, there was a tribute to former directors from the Oceanographic Institute and the release of a book in memory of "Prof. Wladimir Besnard, in celebration of the 120 Anniversary of his birth”. This book shows not only the life of Professor Besnard, but also the first oceanographic expedition in Brazil and the creation of the Bulletin of the Oceanography Institute, today the Brazilian Journal of Oceanography, both completing 60 years in 2010. 

A document with the summary of the event is being drafted with the main topics to be raised and guidelines to be disseminated by the Brazilian scientific community.

• 25-05-2010