The forms needed to submit a new project or activity proposals and for submission of project/activity annual reports are now available. Check out the "How to..." page items 7 and 8.
Mr Rodney Martínez (Ecuador) has been appointed as WMO Representative for North America, Central America and the Caribbean (San José), RAM/DRA, with effect from 14 October 2019. Mr Martínez holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Oceanography from the Universidad Naval Almirante Padilla (Cartagena) and a Master in Business Administration from the Escuela Politécnica del Litoral (Guayaquil). Until his appointment, he has been the International Director of the Centro Internacional para la Investigación del Fenómeno de El Niño (CIIFEN).
Many of you will remember Rodney as one of the driving forces in the development of the IOC/IODE’s Ocean Data and Information Network for IOCARIBE and South America (ODINCARSA). ODINCARSA was set up primarily as a mechanism for assessing the current and potential state of development of national data centers and to create the means for mutual capacity-building in South America and the Caribbean. It further sought to develop a cooperation network for managing and exchanging oceanographic data and information within these regions. During the years that Mr Martinez was involved and/or coordinated this activity we saw a substantial level of activity and improvement of exchange of information in the region.
We are sure that you will join us in wishing Rodney all the best in his new job at WMO!
The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIOST), in cooperation with the Law of the Sea Institute (Berkeley Law, University of California is hosting the conference "Governing Science at Sea: Legal Framework for Marine Scientific Research" in Busan, Republic of Korea on 16 and 17 July 2019. The program is designed to explore how to facilitate the conduct and dissemination of marine scientific research for the benefit of all humankind, including identifying any challenges created by the current legal framework and possible solutions. The panels are covering myriad topics including the definition of marine scientific research, technology transfer and capacity development, the consent regime, information and data dissemination, marine genetic resources, and more. The IOC Chair, Mr Ariel Troisi is providing a presentation on "Capacity development and transfer of marine technology. Cross-cutting issues in MSR and Sustainable Development" while Mr Peter Pissierssens will cover "Information Dissemination & Sharing through IODE".
Mr Ariel Troisi (Argentina) was elected today as the new IOC Chair, succeeding outgoing Chair (2 terms) Peter Haugan (Norway). Ariel has a long history in building IOC and its iODE. He has been IODE national coordinator since 1999, participated in the ODINCARSA initiative since its inception and has been national data coordinator since then. He was ODINCARSA-LA data management regional coordinator, International South Atlantic Buoy Program (ISABP) Steering Committee Vice-Chair and Chair, Responsible for the Argo project in Argentina, OCEATLAN - GOOS GRA Steering Committee Member, Member of the IOC Advisory Body of Experts on the Law of the Sea (IOC-ABELOS), IOC national representation secretariat (1996-2005), IOC alternate national representative (2006-...). In 2011 Ariel was elected IODE Co-Chair (with Ms Sissy Iona as other Co-Chair) and was re-elected in 2013 for a second term. More recently Ariel has been IOC Vice-Chair and in this capacity he has been closely involved, representing IOC, in the preparation of the new legally-binding instrument to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (the High Seas and the Area) under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). In addition Mr Troisi was elected Chair of the IOC Group of Experts on Capacity Development (2018) where is expertise has been extremely valuable to assist the global and regional programmes with the implementation of capacity development (CD) needs assessments, the development of related work plans, mobilization of resources, and provide advice on relevant methods and tools to deliver CD. It will be an honour and pleasure to work with Mr Troisi in his new capacity.
We are pleased to report that the Ukrainian Scientific Centre of Ecology of the Sea (UkrSCES) in Odessa has established its IODE National Oceanographic Data Centre. UkrSCES established an IODE ADU in 2014 but now decided to "upgrade" to NODC. The head of the NODC is Viktor Komorin (https://www.oceanexpert.net/expert/31716). We welcome UkrCSCES to the IODE family! (URL: http://www.sea.gov.ua). A specific web site for the NODC is being developed.
The 30th Session of the IOC Assembly has started in Paris, France today. The IOC's 150 Member States will review progress of all programmes and also consider the proposed work plans for the next biennium. As was the case for IODE-XXV, IOC-XXX will discuss the preparation of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. IODE will be discussed on Monday 1 July under agenda items 7.2.1 (IODE-XXV) and 7.2.2 (Draft concept for an Ocean Data and Information System (ODIS)). We will send out more information on the discussions on IODE after the agenda item has been completed.
On Wednesday 8th May, the British Oceanographic Data Centre (BODC) celebrated its 50th anniversary with an international meeting looking at the “Past, present and future: successes and challenges in managing marine data”.
Over 80 colleagues from across the UK, Europe and the USA joined BODC for a day of talks and discussions, including an attempt to forecast future developments in managing marine data.
Part of the UK’s National Oceanography Centre (NOC), BODC delivers world class marine science services and facilities to the whole UK marine science community for the benefit of society and the global scientific endeavour. The 50th Anniversary meeting celebrated these successes as well as other key innovative developments and changes in data collection and management.
Find out more about BODC at: www.bodc.ac.uk and the 50th Anniversary here.
We are pleased to report that the Ukrainian Scientific Centre of Ecology of the Sea (UkrSCES) in Odessa has established its IODE National Oceanographic Data Centre. UkrSCES established an IODE ADU in 2014 but now decided to "upgrade" to NODC. The head of the NODC is Viktor Komorin (
On Wednesday 8th May, the British Oceanographic Data Centre (BODC) celebrated its 50th anniversary with an international meeting looking at the “Past, present and future: successes and challenges in managing marine data”.