IOC/IODE regional Oceanographic Data and Information Network for BlackSea (ODIN-BLACKSEA) 6th Steering Group Meeting was held at the IOC Project Office for IODE in Oostende, Belgium from 6-8 November 2017 and was attended by 10 representatives from six BlackSea Countries and one representative from the Executive Secretary of Commission of Protection of Black Sea Against Pollution (Black Sea Commision). During the meeting, the activities implemented since October 2015 (5th Steering Group Meeting held in Varna) were reviewed and the future activities for 2017-2019 were revised. The Steering Group mainly focused on the main contents of Black Sea Countries Joint Scientific Oceanographic Research 2018, the Inventories of Black Sea Countries Oceanographic Data Bases and Real Time Oceanographic Stations, the training activities for 2018 and 2019, the cooperation issues between ODIN-BLACKSEA and Black Sea Commission, the Implemantation and budget allocation of the activities of ODIN BLACKSEA for 2017-2019 and revison of it to be proposed to IODE Management Steering Group. The special focus on OBIS related activities was also discussed and it was agreed to conduct inter calibration analysis during the Black Sea Countries Joint Scientific Oceanographic Research 2018 and it was all agreed to promet OBIS acticites in the region. All the outcomes and the detailed report can be found at ODIN-BLACKSEA web site http://odinblacksea.iode.org
The African Coastal and Marine Atlases workshop was held at the IOC Project Office for IODE in Oostende, Belgium from 7-10 November 2017 and attended by selected editors from the African Coastal and Marine Atlases (ACMA) team and experts from the Caribbean Marine Atlas (CMA), the International Coastal and Marine Atlases Network (ICAN) and Caribbean Marine Atlas (managed by INVEMAR, Colombia). The workshop focused on the further development of the African Coastal and Marine Atlas, its transfer to Geonode server, identification of layers to be transferred and recommendations on structures and modalities for development and maintenance of ACMA. The currents status of the African Coastal and Marine Atlas and the Caribbean Marine Atlas was presented, with highlights of their strengths and challenges. A temporary geonode server for ACMA was set up during the workshop, enabling the participants to migrate selected ACMA layers to geonode, develop new homepage and interface and explore the functionalities of the geonode server. The participants agreed on a framework for reviewing existing ACMA layers to be migrated to ACMA and identifying gaps that need to be addressed by creating new layers for specific thematic areas and issues. The ACMA team will work closely with the CMA and ICAN to ensure that the migration of ACMA would be completed by end of April 2018.
The Scientific and Practical Seminar “International Cooperation in the Field of Marine Scientific Research – an Important Factor in the Development of Black Sea Regional Projects of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO and the European Union” was held in Kiev, Ukraine on 19 October 2017. The aim of the seminar was to discuss the prospects for joint scientific operations and investigations of the Black Sea, as well as other parts of the World Ocean in order to (i) acquainting colleagues with the main results from the Black Sea scientific research; (ii) combining efforts to establish permanent scientific contacts; (iii) mobilization of knowledge and human resources in support of the realization of the IOC/UNESCO initiatives; (iv) identifying new opportunities for participation in enhancing cooperation within the IOC in developing the potential of marine science; (v) provision of clear coordination of cooperation at regional, national and individual levels within the framework of the relevant IOC programs; and (vi) facilitating the preparation of joint grant applications. During plenary discussions the seminar’s participants have exchanged scientific information on topical research priorities in the field of marine geophysics, marine meteorology and regional oceanography, marine geology and marine ecology. The seminar noted the urgent need of Ukrainian scientists for a research vessel for conducting full-scale marine scientific research. Also a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Institute of Oceanology of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences and the Scientific Hydrophysical Center of the NAS of Ukraine within the framework of the seminar. In addition to Ukrainian scientists, the seminar welcomed participants from Bulgaria, France and Italy.
The 5th Session of the JOINT WMO/IOC TECHNICAL COMMISSION FOR OCEANOGRAPHY AND MARINE METEOROLOGY (JCOMM) which was held in Geneva, Switzerland between 25-29 October designated the following experts to the JCOMM bodies relevant to data management: - Chair of the Data Management Coordination Group: Mr Sergey Belov (Russia) - Chair of the JCOMM/IODE Expert Team on Data Management Practices: Ms. Alessandra Giorgetti (Italy) - Chair of the Expert Team on Marine Climatology; Mr. Zhiqiang Gong (China).
I addition JCOMM-V re-elected Ms Nadia Pinardi (Italy) and Mr Johan Stander (South Africa).
The 5th Session of the Joint WMO/IOC Joint Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM) has opened today (25 October) in Geneva, Switzerland. The Session, which is taking place between 25 and 29 October will deal with the progress made by the three programme areas Observation, Data Management and Services & Forecast Services. The agenda item on Data Management will be discussed under agenda item 6 on Thursday 26 October. More information on http://meetings.wmo.int/JCOMM-5/SitePages/Session%20Information.aspx
The training course ‘Harmful Algal Bloom data training course‘ is taking place this week at the IODE Project Office in Ostend, Belgium.
16 harmful Algae experts from 13 countries are trained in data entry into the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS) and the Harmful Algae Event Database (HAEDAT), both hosted by IODE (event details). The data will be used for the Global HAB Status Report. The meeting is funded by the Flanders Government through the OceanTeacher Global Academy and DIPS-4-ocean assessments projects.
Species records for OBIS are compiled from the literature. Editors within defined HAB regions were requested to collect publications associated with the occurrences of toxic algae and enter these records in HAEDAT (in case there is an impact) or OBIS (when no impact) from within their country and area of interest. The aim was to record at least one reliable record of the genera/species included in the IOC Taxonomic Reference List (www.marinespecies.org/hab) per locality.
The IOC Intergovernmental Panel on HABs (IOC-IPHAB) has decided to develop a ‘Global Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Status Report’ with the aims of compiling an overview of HAB events and their societal impacts; providing a worldwide appraisal of the occurrence of toxin-producing microalgae; and assessing the status and probability of change in HAB frequencies, intensities, and range resulting from environmental changes at the local and global scale.
Linkages will be established with the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reporting mechanism which increasingly is focusing on the biological impacts of climate change. The Status report will provide the scientific community as well as decision makers with a reference on HAB occurrence and impacts on ecosystem services. IOC-UNESCO project partners include the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the International Council for Exploration of the Sea (ICES), the North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES) and the International Society for the Study of Harmful Algae (ISSHA).
This strategy document outlines a framework for communication and outreach activities for the IODE to address these needs and underpin its ability to achieve its strategic objectives; to ensure that there is recognition of its role as a lead provider in marine data and information management, training and information products; and further enhance both the IOC and IODE profiles. The IOC Communication and Outreach Strategy for Data and Information was proposed by the IOC Committee on International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange at its 24th session, 24–28 March 2017, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and endorsed by the IOC Assembly at its 29th session, 21–29 June 2017.
The African Coastal and Marine Atlases workshop was held at the IOC Project Office for IODE in Oostende, Belgium from 7-10 November 2017 and attended by selected editors from the African Coastal and Marine Atlases (ACMA) team and experts from the Caribbean Marine Atlas (CMA), the International Coastal and Marine Atlases Network (ICAN) and Caribbean Marine Atlas (managed by INVEMAR, Colombia). The workshop focused on the further development of the African Coastal and Marine Atlas, its transfer to Geonode server, identification of layers to be transferred and recommendations on structures and modalities for development and maintenance of ACMA. The currents status of the African Coastal and Marine Atlas and the Caribbean Marine Atlas was presented, with highlights of their strengths and challenges. A temporary geonode server for ACMA was set up during the workshop, enabling the participants to migrate selected ACMA layers to geonode, develop new homepage and interface and explore the functionalities of the geonode server. The participants agreed on a framework for reviewing existing ACMA layers to be migrated to ACMA and identifying gaps that need to be addressed by creating new layers for specific thematic areas and issues. The ACMA team will work closely with the CMA and ICAN to ensure that the migration of ACMA would be completed by end of April 2018.
The Scientific and Practical Seminar “International Cooperation in the Field of Marine Scientific Research – an Important Factor in the Development of Black Sea Regional Projects of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO and the European Union” was held in Kiev, Ukraine on 19 October 2017. The aim of the seminar was to discuss the prospects for joint scientific operations and investigations of the Black Sea, as well as other parts of the World Ocean in order to (i) acquainting colleagues with the main results from the Black Sea scientific research; (ii) combining efforts to establish permanent scientific contacts; (iii) mobilization of knowledge and human resources in support of the realization of the IOC/UNESCO initiatives; (iv) identifying new opportunities for participation in enhancing cooperation within the IOC in developing the potential of marine science; (v) provision of clear coordination of cooperation at regional, national and individual levels within the framework of the relevant IOC programs; and (vi) facilitating the preparation of joint grant applications. During plenary discussions the seminar’s participants have exchanged scientific information on topical research priorities in the field of marine geophysics, marine meteorology and regional oceanography, marine geology and marine ecology. The seminar noted the urgent need of Ukrainian scientists for a research vessel for conducting full-scale marine scientific research.
The 5th Session of the Joint WMO/IOC Joint Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM) has opened today (25 October) in Geneva, Switzerland. The Session, which is taking place between 25 and 29 October will deal with the progress made by the three programme areas Observation, Data Management and Services & Forecast Services. The agenda item on Data Management will be discussed under agenda item 6 on Thursday 26 October. More information on 
The training course ‘Harmful Algal Bloom data training course‘ is taking place this week at the IODE Project Office in Ostend, Belgium.
This strategy document outlines a framework for communication and outreach activities for the IODE to address these needs and underpin its ability to achieve its strategic objectives; to ensure that there is recognition of its role as a lead provider in marine data and information management, training and information products; and further enhance both the IOC and IODE profiles. The IOC Communication and Outreach Strategy for Data and Information was proposed by the IOC Committee on International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange at its 24th session, 24–28 March 2017, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and endorsed by the IOC Assembly at its 29th session, 21–29 June 2017.