Ocean Observations & Services
The IOC Ocean Observations and Services Section (OOS) collaborates with dozens of international programmes and organizations to implement global scale sustained ocean observations and deliver the products and services that ensure the wellbeing of humans and ecosystems alike.
Scientific knowledge acquired through sustained ocean observations are applied through early warning for ocean-related hazards, climate forecasts and projections, ecosystem management and assessments and ocean governance.
From within IOC, OOS notably coordinates the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) – at once a collaborative system of sustained observations built around independently-managed and independently-funded observing elements (satellites, buoys, scientists, etc.), and a standard-setting programme that oversees data management and product-generation activities that help to define common requirements for sustained observations of the ocean.
Through its OOS Section, IOC facilitates the implementation of GOOS and satisfies its data and information needs through specialized bodies:
JCOMM – Joint WMO-IOC Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology
IODE – Intergovernmental Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange
For detailed information and the latest GOOS updates, visit the GOOS homepage.