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IOC/EC XXXV/2 Annex 1
Paris, 25 March 2002
Original: English
INTERGOVERNMENTAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISSION
(of UNESCO)
Thirty-fifth Session of the Executive Council
Paris, 4-14 June 2002
Agenda Item: 3.1
REPORT OF THE IOC EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
(Rule of Procedure No. 49)
As stated in Article 49 of the Rules of Procedure the Executive Secretary shall
submit to each session of the Assembly and the Executive Council a report on
the work accomplished since the previous session.
(SC-2002/CONF.204/CLD.13)
IOC/EC-XXXV/2 Annex 1
page (i)
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.
OCEAN SCIENCE PROGRAMME (OSP)..................................................................... 1
1. 1 SCIENCE FOR OCEAN ECOSYSTEMS AND MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION ........................................................................................................... 1
1. 2 MARINE SCIENCE FOR INTEGRATED COASTAL AREA MANAGEMENT .. 3
1. 3 OCEAN AND CLIMATE.......................................................................................... 4
1. 4 IOC AND THE LAW OF THE SEA ......................................................................... 7
1.4.1
1.4.2
1.4.3
First Meeting of the Advisory Body of Experts on the Law of the Sea
(ABE-LOS I) ....................................................................................................... 7
Special Arbitration............................................................................................... 7
The IOC/IHO/IAG Advisory Board of Experts on the Law of the Sea
(ABLOS).............................................................................................................. 7
2.
GLOBAL OCEAN OBSERVING SYSTEM (GOOS).................................................... 7
3.
INTERNATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC DATA AND INFORMATION
EXCHANGE (IODE)....................................................................................................... 10
3.1
3.2
IOC DATA AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT: THE REGIONAL
PROJECTS AND ACTIVITIES .............................................................................. 11
GENERAL BATHYMETRIC CHART OF THE OCEANS (GEBCO) AND
OCEAN MAPPING PROGRAMME (OMP) .......................................................... 13
4.
CONTRIBUTION TO THE PREPARATION TO THE WORLD SUMMIT ON
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (WSSD) ................................................................ 14
5.
VIIth SESSION OF IOCARIBE...................................................................................... 15
6.
THE FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR ESTABLISHING A REGULAR PROCESS FOR
THE ASSESSMENT OF THE STATE OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT ........ 16
IOC/EC-XXXV/2 Annex 1
1
The following is the brief overview of relevant Intergovernmental Oceanographic
Commission activities for the year 2001 and the first quarter of 2002.
1.
2
OCEAN SCIENCE PROGRAMME (OSP)
In 2001, the Ocean Science Programme was re-structured based on the results of external
reviews commissioned by the IOC Assembly and Executive Secretary, and in accordance with
the instructions from the 21st Session of the IOC Assembly. The group of experts reviewing the
Ocean Science Section reviewed the framework of the existing programmes in light of new
developments and requirements in ocean science and identified new approaches for the IOC to
meet the evolving aspects of interdisciplinary ocean science. The review group, in a report
submitted in early 2001, concluded that there was a need to restructure the Ocean Science
Section into three interactive main lines of work: Science for Ocean Ecosystems and Marine
Environmental Protection, Marine Science for Integrated Coastal Area Management, and
Oceans and Climate. Reports on the programmes of the Ocean Science Section in this new
structure follow:
1. 1
SCIENCE FOR OCEAN ECOSYSTEMS AND MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL
PROTECTION
3
IOC Ad Hoc Study Group on Benthic Indicators: Major progress was achieved by the
IOC ad hoc Study Group of Benthic Indicators at its third meeting, held 28 February - 3 March
2001 in Paris. Regional datasets on coastal benthos and environmental conditions were
combined into a global database, and statistical analysis identified robust relationships between
sediment content of total organic carbon (TOC) and the environmental state of benthic
communities, that can be developed into a useful indicator at the global level. The group is
currently in the process of preparing a draft paper on this topic for submission to a scientific
journal. To increase the global appliance of indicators additional regional datasets will be added
to the database.
4
IOC Harmful Algal Bloom Programme. - Main achievements in 2001 included the
publication of the Science Plan for GEOHAB, the international IOC-SCOR research programme
on the global ecology and oceanography of HABs. Furthermore, the development of an
Implementation Plan was initiated. The GEOHAB Scientific Steering Committee also provided
substantive advice to China on a major national research programme on HAB. The ICES-IOC
Working Group on the Dynamics of Harmful Algal Blooms continued its work on updating of
the meta-data base on Harmful Algal Events, HAE-DAT, which is on-line at the IOC server, and
examined possible ways of analysing historical data and fossil records. The Group interacts
actively in GEOHAB and took initiative for and ICES-IOC-SCOR Study Group on GEOHAB
Implementation in the Baltic Sea.
5
Capacity building continues to be a main component of the HAB Programme. The
backbone in the implementation of the capacity building effort is the IOC Science and
Communication Centres on Harmful Algae in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Vigo, Spain. During
2001, a new memorandum of understanding was agreed and signed between IEO and IOC in
support of the continuation of the Vigo Centre for five more years. The annual courses at the
two Centres trains 30-40 people. Again in 2001, there were over 100 applicants for each course.
A number of regional training courses were also offered. In this context the cooperation with the
University of Tokyo on HAB capacity building plays the same role in WESTPAC, as does the
IOC HAB Centres for the international courses. A regional training workshop was held in
IOC/EC-XXXV/2 Annex 1
page 2
Accra, Ghana, in November and had in addition to the immediate training as its objective to
formulate a project for a regional survey of the occurrence of potentially harmful microalgae.
The IOC assisted at a FAO-ROPME Training Course for the Gulf Region held in Kuwait in
September. The two IOC HAB Centres provides in addition to the short term training courses, a
mechanism for North-South institutional twinning and cooperative research, and specific
projects are ongoing with countries in South East Asia, Africa and Latin America. The results of
the projects are published as peer-reviewed papers in scientific journals or in the IOC report
series as appropriate. In 2001, one output was a Guide to Potentially Harmful Microalgae in the
Western Indian Ocean, published in the IOC Manuals and Guides Series.
6
Within IOC/WESTPAC, a Training Course on Ecology and Physiology of Harmful
Algae was held in March. For the first time scientists from the Democratic People’s Republic of
Korea participated in a training course of IOC/WESTPAC. The obtained experience will be used
by the trainees in designing and conducting research on ecology and physiology of harmful
microalgae in their respective home countries. The second IOC/WESTPAC/HAB Strategy
Workshop was held as a special session of the Fifth WESTPAC Symposium in Seoul, Korea, in
August. The deliberations of the strategic workshops are being synthesized into a plan for
WESTPAC/HAB to be presented to WESTPAC at its next session.
7
In South America the regional HAB Working Group (FANSA) met in Uruguay in
October to update its summary of harmful algal events recorded in each country; discuss the
adopted criteria within each country for the definition of monitoring programmes; application of
the IOC data-bases MON-DAT and HAE-DAT in FANSA countries; and possibilities of
collaboration for regional strengthening of capacities to face HAB problems. The regional
working group for HAB in the Caribbean (ANCA) promoted collaborative communication
among small budget monitoring activities in the region. Through its Participation Programme
UNESCO supported a project for the experimental implementation of molecular monitoring of
HAB species in the region.
8
The HAB Programme co-sponsored with Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Council
(APEC) and other organizations the 2nd International Conference on Harmful Algal
Management and Mitigation, HAMM, November 2001, Qingdao, P.R. China, and will publish
the proceedings. This series of Conferences oriented to provide tools to government specialists
and administrators in the APEC countries and else where was initiated with the support of the
IOC.
9
The IOC Ad Hoc Study Group on Coral Bleaching and Related Indicators of Coral Reef
Health: Coral bleaching is rapidly developing as a major problem for the health of coral reefs
worldwide. Unfortunately, the level of understanding of this phenomenon is limited. Developing
a good understanding of the phenomenon is important if management practices are to be
effective to face the increasing level of greenhouse-driven stress projected to occur over the next
50 years. Therefore, a study group was started by IOC in 2001 to further our understanding of
coral bleaching, by promoting and coordinating a number of targeted investigations. These span
the molecular to ecological levels of investigation and will generate tools and techniques with a
wide applicability to the problems facing both developed and developing nations.
10
The specific objectives of the ad hoc Study Group are to: 1. Develop possible molecular,
cellular, physiological or community indicators of coral bleaching that are reliable in their
ability to detect stress responses due to changes in variables such as SSTs, PAR, UV radiation,
pCO2, hydrodynamics, etc.; 2. Examine potential mechanisms of corals for
IOC/EC-XXXV/2 Annex 1
page 3
adaptation/acclimatization to global environmental change; and 3. Investigate long-term
responses of coral reefs to large-scale changes in environmental variables.
11
The group is comprised of 12 international experts and held its first meeting in Paris
during April 2001. The group has found a very positive reaction from the research community
on coral reefs and have received the support from other institutions. Two field workshops will
take place in 2002. The work of the group is co-sponsored by the World Bank through a targeted
research programme on coral degradation.
1. 2
MARINE SCIENCE FOR INTEGRATED COASTAL AREA MANAGEMENT
12
The objective of the ICAM Programme is to assist IOC Member States in their efforts to
build marine scientific and technological capabilities in the field of integrated coastal area
management as follow up of UNCED, Agenda 21, Chapter 17. The programme focus specially
in ensuring that marine sciences are integrated into the development of national and regional
ICAM plan and programmes, particularly in assisting through the exchange of experiences to
develop a transectorial decision-making process and their corresponding institutions at the
national level for the sustainable development of coastal areas.
13
This programme also aims to provide a mechanism to promote interaction between IOC
programmes related to ICAM and those of other international organizations, between marine
natural scientists and social scientists, as well as between scientists and coastal managers and
policy makers.
14
In 2001, the second phase of the COASTS project was implemented through the
organization of the second COASTS Workshop held in Paris from 8-11 August 2001.
Practitioners managers need a readily available set of tools to translate scientific knowledge of
the complex coastal-coupled processes into quantitative advice for decision-making. The
purpose of this new study of COASTS is to undertake the global synthesis of the
interdisciplinary coastal ocean science from a point of view of modelling coupled processes
(physical-biological-chemical-sedimentological). The study will use a similar approach than the
physical synthesis for coastal areas published in 1998 as two volumes of The Sea. (Volume 10 The Global Coastal Ocean: Process and Methods, and Volume 11 - The Global Coastal Ocean:
Regional Studies and Synthesis). The August meeting was attended by 60 high level scientists
who initiated the production of this new COASTS Synthesis. The Synthesis, which is expected
to be published in 2003, will encourage and facilitate coastal and shelf ocean sciences and
technology on a global basis, as well as improve capabilities to carry out such studies.
15
Integrated Coastal Area Management (ICAM or ICM), after several years of a rich
practice around the world, is ripe to attempt an effort to codify these practices into focused
methodological tools. To follow the publication of the 1st Methodological Guide on Integrated
Coastal Management published by IOC in 1997, a second methodological manual was published
in 2001, entitled: ”Steps and Tools towards Integrated Coastal Area Management”. Since the
first publication was mainly focused on the use of natural science tools, the 2001 edition
emphasizes and integrates the socio-economic aspects of ICAM. The ICAM planning steps and
policy cycle is described and analysed in detail through a number of selected case studies with
practical recommendations for governmental ICAM operators and managers.
16
At the regional level, IOC together with the Advisory Committee on the Protection of the
Sea (ACOPS) has launched a Global Environmental Facility (GEF)-Medium Size Project (MSP)
IOC/EC-XXXV/2 Annex 1
page 4
on “Development and Protection of the Coastal and marine environment in Sub-Saharan
Africa”. The project, whose goal is to assist sub-Saharan countries in achieving sustainable
management of their coastal and marine environment and resources was developed in response
to resolutions of the Pan-African Conference on Sustainable Integrated Coastal Management
(PACSICOM) and of the Cape Town Conference (1998). The Global Environment Facility will
provide the core funding, with co-financing from ACOPS, IOC-UNESCO, IUCN, UNEP/GPA,
United Kingdom, United States of America, and the participating countries from Africa (Côte
d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Seychelles, South
Africa, Tanzania). The participation of additional countries is being sought.
The specific objectives of the project are to:
17
a)
Identify areas, sites or living resources of regional and global significance that are
suffering measurable degradation (i.e., hot-spots);
b) Determine the sources/causes of this degradation and the associated scales of impact
(national, regional and global) to provide a basis for calculating incrementality at
regional and extra-regional scales;
c) Identify areas, sites and resources of regional significance that, although not currently
degraded, are threatened with future degradation either because of the sensitivity of
the receptor or the magnitude of the activity posing the threat;
d) Determine, through causal chain analysis, the fundamental socio-economic causes of
the damage or threat posed; and design a programme of interventions addressing
problems of regional priority that may be presented to the Partnership Conference,
scheduled in September 2002.
18
The Programme of Interventions, including a portfolio of projects, developed through the
GEF-MSP for sub-Saharan Africa will be endorsed at a final ‘Super’ Preparatory Committee
(Super PrepCom) for the Partnership Conference, to be held in Abuja, Nigeria, 17-19 June 2002,
hosted by His Excellency President Olusegun Obasanjo. The Partnership Conference of the
African Process will be held at the level of Heads of State during the WSSD (Johannesburg, 26
August – 6 September 2002) at which the Programme of Interventions will be presented.
1. 3
OCEAN AND CLIMATE
19
The joint SCOR-IOC Advisory Panel on Ocean CO2 has been actively engaged in a number
of international activities this past year, including developing an inventory of on-going ocean
carbon observing programmes, developing ocean carbon observing requirements for GOOS and
IGOS, and collaborating with international research programmes to integrate ocean carbon
measurement strategies into programmes, such as CLIVAR and the proposed GOOS Pilot
Project on Time Series Stations. In addition, the Panel is serving as an international coordinator
of biogeochemical measurements made from Volunteer Observing Ships, which will be
integrated with the JCOMM Ship Observations Team for coordination of VOS and SOOP
activities. The Panel is also developing advisory reports on measurement technology, standards
and reference materials for ocean CO2.
20
A most important new area of Panel activities for the coming years will be to serve as an
international forum for discussions on ocean sequestration of atmospheric CO2. The ocean is the
largest potential reservoir to store CO2 out of contact with the atmosphere, and there are active
initiatives to massively sequester CO2 in the deep ocean using direct injection techniques or by
IOC/EC-XXXV/2 Annex 1
page 5
increasing locally the uptake of CO2 through artificial fertilization with iron. This is an area of
increasing concern, and many Member States are already actively involved in these issues.
Concerns include uncertainty of the effects of these processes on the ocean ecosystem, legal
issues of pollution and dumping, and exploitation of the ocean commons. As these experimental
and scientific issues transition to larger, societal questions, the IOC, through the SCOR-IOC
Ocean Carbon Advisory Panel, will maintain a watching-brief on ocean CO2 sequestration
issues, and host an international meeting with other appropriate organizations in early 2003.
21
The IOC, ICSU and WMO are cosponsors of the World Climate Research Program
administered and hosted by WMO in Geneva. The GCOS-GOOS-WCRP Ocean Observations
Panel for Climate (OOPC) is administered by the IOC and is the primary scientific body for
providing advice on requirements for ocean data for climate and related physical ocean systems.
The OOPC maintains a strong partnership with JCOMM, CLIVAR, and the ocean carbon
community via the SCOR-IOC Advisory Panel on Ocean CO2.
22
Good progress had been made in the follow up to OceanObs99 Conference on Ocean
Observations for Climate Change in implementing the initial ocean observing system for
climate. Highlights were:
· a workshop on sustainable ocean climate observations for the Indian Ocean,
· identification of ocean surface reference sites,
· movement toward consensus on carbon system requirements and
· a standard, well-defined sea surface temperature (SST) product with known error
bars.
23
Major OOPC action items for 2001/2002 include (a) an international workshop to evaluate
the tropical mooring arrays against global broad objectives, that are not restricted to ENSO, and
in the context of the other evolving observing subsystems (e.g. Argo, SOOP and VOS lines,
satellites); logistics and vandalism will be considered along with objective evaluations of the
moorings for validation of satellite measurements; (b) development of the project to establish
ocean surface reference sites, (c) the first meeting of the Time-Series Stations Science group, (d)
action on data management issues, (e) follow-up action for the Indian Ocean, (f) assisting GCOS
in preparation of a response to the request from the COP of the UNFCCC for a 2nd Report on the
Adequacy of the Observing System for Climate; and (g) completion of the OceanObs99
monograph.
24
The Climate Variability and Predictability Study (CLIVAR) and the World Ocean
Circulation Experiment (WOCE) are the projects of the WCRP with most significant
involvement and dependence on ocean science. The Joint Scientific Committee of WCRP at
JSC-22 in March 2001 stressed the importance of GODAE and the work of the OOPC to the
WCRP, in particular to CLIVAR. Other activities of WCRP include the Joint WCRP-SCOR
Working Group on Air-Sea Fluxes, the Surface Ocean Lower Atmosphere Surface Study
(SOLAS), the Climate and Cryosphere (CliC) project, the Arctic Climate System Study
(ACSYS), and the Coordinated Enhanced Observing Period (CEOP) and Global Atmospheric
Boundary Layer Study of the Global Energy and Water Cycle Experiment (GEWEX). The JSC
is encouraging greater interaction with the IGBP and the IHDP through joint planning and joint
projects. In line with this thinking, WCRP was a joint sponsor with IGBP and IHDP of the
Global Change Open Science Conference convened in Amsterdam – July 2001.
IOC/EC-XXXV/2 Annex 1
page 6
25
The year 2001 was the penultimate year of WOCE as being part of WCRP. It was the
year that major WOCE publications of enduring value that were years in preparation began
appearing. They are serving to mark the significant achievements of this 20-year project. In
April, the book "Ocean Circulation and Climate - Observing and Modelling the Global Ocean"
was published. It provides in one volume a broad scale update of the state of our knowledge and
the new tools we have as a result of WOCE for scientific study of the global ocean. Funding was
also secured for the publication of a series of four Atlases (one for each major ocean) that will
present the results from the unprecedented global hydrographic survey of the oceans' physical
and chemical properties. The WOCE high-quality data sets will continue to be mined by future
researchers and the steady flow of results will continue to have an impact on our understanding
of the physics of ocean circulation and its role in climate. The WOCE online bibliography
reached a total of 1,600 publications in 2001 based on WOCE research. This number will
continue to increase long after the programme ends. The last of WOCE's Analysis,
Interpretation, modelling and Synthesis (AIMS) phase workshops was held in August jointly
with the IGBP's JGOFS programme. Its focus was the assessment of what we have learned
about the storage and transport of physical chemical properties (including CO2) in the ocean.
This workshop, attended by almost 100 scientists, set the stage for fleshing out a plan, in
collaboration with international and national ocean carbon programmes, to start reoccupations of
the WOCE/JGOFS transocean sections during CLIVAR. WOCE science will be the focus of a
major international conference to be held in San Antonio Texas in November 2002 marking the
end of the WOCE programme as a separate element of the WCRP.
26
It became forcefully clear in 2001 that the broad scale multi-disciplinary complexity of
the CLIVAR project and its central role within WCRP presented a new set of challenges that
planners had to face. Among these are scientific, huge logistical and organizational challenges
we have very little experience with. These include the need to explore the potential links
between phenomena of differing timescales, to bring together the rather separate communities of
atmospheric and ocean researchers, and to take into account biological and socio-economic
considerations, by developing constructive partnerships with IGBP and IHDP projects and
linking ongoing research efforts with applied initiatives that exploit our understanding of climate
for the benefit of humankind.
27
CLIVAR has moved further towards its implementation. A workshop in Hawaii in
February led to the formation of a CLIVAR Pacific sector panel that will guide CLIVAR
implementation strategy across the wide range of climate phenomena and timescales that
influence the Pacific region. A similar Atlantic panel already exists and a Southern Ocean panel
will shortly join this. As an example of rapidly expanding interest in CLIVAR field
implementation, a CLIVAR Tropical Atlantic Variability Workshop hosted by IOC/UNESCO in
September attracted more than 120 attendees, an unexpectedly high number. Only a few years
ago the number of scientists studying variability in the tropical Atlantic was of the order of a
couple of dozen, not enough to consider mounting a large field campaign. Much of CLIVAR's
implementation in terms of ocean observations is closely linked to the rapid development of the
Argo array of profiling floats. By the end of the year approximately 600 of the projected floats
were already reporting data in real time through the IOC-WMO/JCOMM in situ Observing
Platform Support Centre, in Toulouse.
IOC/EC-XXXV/2 Annex 1
page 7
1. 4
IOC AND THE LAW OF THE SEA
1.4.1 First Meeting of the Advisory Body of Experts on the Law of the Sea (ABE-LOS I)
28
IOC organized the First Meeting of its Advisory Body of Experts on the Law of the Sea
(ABE-LOS I) from 11 to 13 June 2001 at the UNESCO Headquarters, in Paris, France.
29
Based on the results of the IOC survey to canvass priority issues to be discussed during
the ABE-LOS I as well as on the recommendations of the Second Meeting of the United Nations
Informal Consultative Process on Oceans (UNICPO) held in New York in May 2001, the
transfer of marine technology has been selected as the first item for discussions.
30
Other matters of priority identified in the meeting were: i) the procedure related to
Article 247 of UNCLOS on marine scientific research projects undertaken by or under the
auspices of international organizations, and ii) the establishment of general criteria and
guidelines to assist States in ascertaining the nature and implications of marine scientific
research (Article 251 of UNCLOS). In this regard, ABE-LOS I recommended that the IOC
Secretariat circulates a questionnaire to Member States on their practice in the field of marine
scientific research (MSR) and transfer of marine technology.
31
The development of technical guidelines and criteria to facilitate the application by the
Member States of the procedure to obtain authorization for the conduct of MSR in the waters
under jurisdiction of a coastal State has been considered as the major potential contribution of
IOC/ABE-LOS.
32
Many States pointed out that the data and information collected in the national waters by
foreign researchers should be more explicitly and formally communicated and that assistance
should be provided to coastal State for their interpretation and utilization.
1.4.2. Special Arbitration
33
In accordance with Article 2 (2) of Annex VIII of UNCLOS, IOC updated its established
list of experts in the field of marine scientific research as of 10 January 2002.
1.4.3. The IOC/IHO/IAG Advisory Board of Experts on the Law of the Sea (ABLOS)
34
The IOC/IHO/IAG Advisory Board of Experts on the Law of the Sea (ABLOS)
organized the 8th Session of its Business Meeting in Monaco on 17 October 2001. IOC presented
a document that outlined IOC’s intention to focus on the rendering of assistance to developing
countries in the field of marine science, and on the building of capacity through the design and
delivery of training courses on the implementation of Article 76 of UNCLOS on the definition
of the continental shelf. This activity would respond to the request of the President of the 11th
Meeting of States Parties to UNCLOS and of the Chairman of the CLCS who invited relevant
scientific organizations to provide training to enable developing States to prepare their
submissions to the CLCS.
2.
35
GLOBAL OCEAN OBSERVING SYSTEM (GOOS)
UNCED’s Agenda 21 demands that an integrated and comprehensive global ocean
observing and information system be created to provide the information needed for oceanic and
IOC/EC-XXXV/2 Annex 1
page 8
atmospheric forecasting, for ocean and coastal zone management by coastal nations, and for
global environmental change research. In response to this demand, the Intergovernmental
Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, together with the World Meteorological
Organization (WMO), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the
International Council for Science (ICSU), are planning, implementing and coordinating an
operational Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS).
36
In 2001 GOOS is already beginning to provide UN Member States with the ability to
convert research results into useful products to meet societal needs. Many countries are now
planning, or collecting, their own coastal and ocean observations in line with the GOOS
Strategic Plan and Principles. Many countries have created national GOOS Committees to
develop contributions to GOOS at the national or regional level, by improving the way in which
they do operational oceanography to meet management needs and address policy issues.
37
GOOS implementation will depend to a fair extent on the success of the newly created
Joint WMO/IOC Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM),
which held its first intergovernmental meeting in Akureyri, Iceland (19-29 June). The IOC’s
Committee on International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE) has been
made a full partner of the JCOMM Management Committee.
38
In 2001, implementation of GOOS is partly represented by the GOOS Initial Observing
System (GOOS-IOS), a collection of existing observing subsystems that was expanded in 2001
by the inclusion of the California Co-operative Fisheries Investigations (CalCOFI), and the
Global Observing Systems Information Centre (GOSIC). In addition, the satellite missions that
contribute to the GOOS-IOS were identified. JCOMM will take on the responsibility for day-today management of many of the components of the GOOS-IOS, which are themselves operated
by Member States. The European component of GOOS (EuroGOOS) is developing a European
Directory of Initial Observing Systems (EDIOS), which will provide detailed information of the
GOOS Initial Observing System in Europe.
39
Implementation of GOOS also takes place through pilot projects like the Global Ocean
Data Assimilation Experiment (GODAE), for which a Strategic Plan has been published and an
Implementation Plan has been drafted. The establishment of the GODAE Server operated by the
U.S. in Monterey, California, is the most significant recent development. This site will provide
access to all GODAE data (either directly or via distributed access) as well as providing a range
of products. A similar facility is being established in France.
40
GODAE itself has pilot projects, which are also pilot projects of GOOS. A GODAE
High Resolution Pilot Project on sea-surface-temperature (SST) is underway to develop highresolution SST data sets and products using all available remote and in situ measurements and
scientifically defensible definitions of SST. A first step is the production of a Strategic Plan in
mid-2001. The largest GODAE pilot project is the Argo project to seed the ocean with 3000
profiling floats that will all be operational during the period 2003-2005. This will provide the
first ever-global coverage of the temperature and salinity of the upper ocean, an essential
ingredient in the improvement of numerical models and forecasts of the behaviour of the ocean,
weather, and climate systems.
41
Several Member States have made financial commitments to the Argo project, including
funds to support the recruitment of an Argo Technical Co-ordinator, who started work in
February 2001 at the Argo Information Centre in Toulouse, and who will provide information
IOC/EC-XXXV/2 Annex 1
page 9
on Argo to interested parties. The existing multi-national commitments to Argo include 984
floats already funded, and 2,274 proposed over the next 3 years, which suggests that the project
goals will be met on time. A regional implementation-planning meeting for Argo was held in
Hyderabad (India) in July 2001 for the Indian Ocean.
42
The principal technical issue with Argo concerns global coverage. This will require
nations to free some of their resources for use in remote regions. A second issue concerns
deployment of floats in Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). In a pioneer effort the South Pacific
Applied Geosciences Commission (SOPAC) is working with its member nations to secure
permission to deploy floats within their collective EEZ, looking at the same time for their
legitimate interests to have access to the information and related products.
43
GOOS is also being implemented regionally. A Regional Policy has been drafted to
cover the management of the fast developing group of regional GOOS bodies.
44
Regional meetings were held to take forward the development of GOOS in the
Caribbean (Miami, April 2001), and the Black Sea (Poti, 22-25 May). MedGOOS attracted
major funding from the European Commission to expand development of the observing system
in the Mediterranean. A meeting was held in Seoul (27-31 August) to take forward the
development of GOOS in the S.E. Asian region. The development of remote-sensing and sealevel measurements in support of operational oceanography was the focus of a GOOS-AFRICA
workshop in Nairobi (19-23 November). A planning meeting was held in New Delhi (8-9
November) to take forward the development of an Indian Ocean GOOS.
45
The GOOS organization worked closely with the International Council for the
Exploration of the Sea (ICES), and the Oslo-Paris (OSPAR) Commission1, through a workshop
in Bergen (5-7 September) to develop an ecosystem approach to observations for fisheries
management in the North Sea.
46
EuroGOOS established a Baltic Operational Oceanographic System (BOOS), and a
Northwest Shelf Operational Oceanographic System (NOOS), which are enthusiastically
supported by a large number of agencies. EuroGOOS is working towards operational
ecosystems models and forecasts, in conjunction with ICES, the Helsinki Commission2
(HELCOM), and OSPAR.
47
A workshop co-sponsored by PICES (the Pacific equivalent of ICES), GOOS for N.E.
Asia (NEAR-GOOS) and IOC was held in Seoul (August 27-31) to develop a common approach
to ocean forecasting in N.E. Asia. NEAR-GOOS has embarked on a strategic planning exercise
that should ultimately lead to the structured inclusion of chemical and biological parameters.
48
Contacts were strengthened between GOOS and UNEP’s Regional Seas Programme,
through participation of the GPO in the fourth meeting of the Regional Seas Conventions and
Action Plans in Montreal (21-23 November). UNEP gave a presentation at the IOC Assembly
(Paris, July 2001) on these growing links, as a first step towards developing an IOC-UNEP MoU
on this topic.
49
Continued implementation of GOOS at the national level is essential to facilitate GOOS
development. Many coastal countries are planning or collecting their own coastal seas
1
2
Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic; Convention.
Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission; also known as: Helsinki Commission
IOC/EC-XXXV/2 Annex 1
page 10
observations following GOOS Principles. All IOC Member States are encouraged to form
National GOOS Coordinating Committees involving all stakeholders. A consultant has been
hired to collect information on commitments made by various countries to GOOS.
50
In order to ensure that global observations are made in a coherent and integrated way,
IOC together with other UN agencies (WMO, UNEP, FAO, UNESCO) and the International
Council for Science (ICSU) are members with the space agencies of a Partnership for an
Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS). In January 2001, the Partners endorsed and
published an Ocean Theme document indicating the capabilities of and developments needed in
space-based measurements to make GOOS work. A major development in this context was the
announcement made at the last IGOS meeting in Kyoto by NASA, NOAA, CNES and
EUMETSAT to jointly start the planning and development of a high precision oceanographic
altimetry Mission, to follow after Jason I, as requested in the Ocean Theme. Jason I was
successfully launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California on 7 December 2001. The
GOOS Project Office was involved with the wider scientific community in developing a
background paper on an ocean observing system for carbon, which will inform the development
of an Integrated Global Carbon Observing Theme by the IGOS Partners.
51
The global needs for observations for climate were presented to the Conference of the
Parties (COP) for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change by a consortium of
agencies and observing systems, including GOOS, which was led by the Global Climate
Observing System (GCOS). [The climate component of GOOS comprises the ocean component
of GCOS]. The COP is requiring Parties to develop Action Plans to implement climatemonitoring systems, including ocean components that will form part of GOOS. This is to meet
the urgent need to improve the quality, coverage and management of the global ocean observing
system, and especially to support the increase in the number of ocean observations, particularly
in remote locations, called for by the COP.
3.
INTERNATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC DATA AND INFORMATION
EXCHANGE (IODE)
52
The IODE System was established in 1961 to enhance marine research, exploitation and
development by facilitating the exchange of oceanographic data and information between
participating Member States and by meeting the needs of users for data and information
products.
53
The IODE system forms a worldwide service-oriented network consisting of DNAs
(Designated National Agencies), NODCs (National Oceanographic Data Centres), RNODCs
(Responsible National Oceanographic Data Centres) and WDCs (World Data Centres –
Oceanography). During the year 2001, Cameroon and Togo joined the IODE system that now
counts 64 members.
54
At the global level 2001 was used as a preparation base to implement the strategy
changes recommended by the Sixteenth Session of the IODE Committee (Lisbon, Portugal, 30
October – 9 November 2000):
- making the MEDI metadata management activity as a permanent IODE programme;
- establishment, maintenance and strengthening of cooperation between IODE and
research and monitoring programmes;
IOC/EC-XXXV/2 Annex 1
page 11
-
-
establishment of close collaboration with, and involvement in the WMO-IOC Joint
Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology;
increased attention in the IODE system for remotely-sensed data, biological and
chemical data, pollution data and coastal data;
development of the World Ocean Database Project;
further development of the IODE web site, the IODE Data and Information Portal and
the related services and products;
participation in the development of a marine XML as a means to facilitate the exchange
of, and access to data (especially over the Internet) and to promote the use of XML at the
national level;
development of additional regional networks;
further development of the IODE ResourceKit into the OceanTeacher training system.
55
The Marine Environmental Data Information Referral Catalogue (MEDI) is a directory
system for datasets, data catalogues and data inventories developed by IODE. The IODE
Steering Group for MEDI was established during IODE-XVI to support the MEDI software
system. The First Session of the IODE Steering Group for MEDI was held in Oostende,
Belgium between 23 and 27 April 2001, in collaboration with the Flanders Marine Institute
(VLIZ). During its First Session, the Steering Group reviewed the status of the MEDI software
tool and previewed the next release of the software (versions 2.2 and 3.0) that will be Internetbased. The Group prepared a detailed list of required software changes. The report of this
meeting is available as “First Session of the IODE Steering Group for MEDI, First Session,
Oostende, Belgium, 23-27 April 2001, Rep. Meet. Experts Equiv. Bodies IOC, 2001”.
Following the recommendations made by the Steering Group, the technical consultant developed
versions 2.2 (intermediary beta version July 2001) and 3.0 (December 2001). Version 3.0 will be
released early 2002.
56
The IODE Steering Group for the IODE Resource Kit was established during IODE-XVI
to support the IODE Resource Kit Project. The First Session of the Steering Group (Miami,
Florida, 19-23 March 2001) reviewed the status of the Resource Kit, noting that the Data
Modules had advanced substantially producing an extensive web site as well as CD-ROM. The
Data Modules had been developed and used during the ODINEA project data management
courses and would now be used during ODINAFRICA data management courses. The Steering
Group then developed a comprehensive table of contents for the Marine Information
Management module, as well as a programme for standard MIM Training Courses. The Steering
Group also drafted an assessment table for Integrated Library Management Software that will be
used to identify and recommend a low-cost ILMS package for developing countries.
57
The OceanPortal is a high-level directory of Ocean Data and Information related web
sites. Its objective is to help scientists and other ocean experts in locating such data and
information. The Portal was launched in July 2001 and includes descriptions of over 3,000
ocean data and information related web sites.
3.1.
58
IOC DATA AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT: THE REGIONAL PROJECTS
AND ACTIVITIES
Capacity building is a major priority area of the IODE programme. IODE provides
capacity building assistance at the national level (assisting Member States to develop and update
national ocean data and information management facilities) and regional level (e.g. through the
IOC/EC-XXXV/2 Annex 1
page 12
development and maintenance of regional ocean data and information management networks –
ODIN). The capacity building programme also includes regional training courses, travel and
training grants, equipment support, etc.
59
Through the regional networks, IODE also establishes close working relationships with
other IOC programmes such as the Ocean Science Programme (e.g. to provide ocean data and
information to assist the ICAM programme), GOOS, as well as with other, non-IOC
programmes and projects, providing these with ocean data and information services and
expertise.
60
ODINAFRICA. IOC, in collaboration with twenty Member States from Africa (Benin,
Cameroon, Comoros, Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritania,
Mauritius, Morocco, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, United Republic
of Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia), and with the support from the Government of Flanders (Belgium)
is developing an Ocean Data and Information Network for Africa (ODINAFRICA).
61
ODINAFRICA assists in establishment of NODCs/DNAs in all the participating
Member States, provides equipment and training, and improves communications links through
the provision of support for email/Internet access. ODINAFRICA products and services will
target a wide range of users including policy-makers, resource managers, researchers,
educational institutions, NGOs and private companies
62
The project implementation started in 2001. During this first year activities concentrated
on (i) organization of national workshops bringing together stakeholders involved in ocean
related activities (universities, research institutions, private sector, etc.); (ii) provision of
computer equipment; (iii) organization of data management training course and information
management training course; (iv) provision of operational support including access to the
Internet; and (v) development of the ODINAFRICA web site (public site and partner site) on
http://www.odinafrica.net (or http://www.odinafrica.org ).
63
The 2001 ODINAFRICA review and planning workshop was held in Nairobi, Kenya
from 14-17 November 2001 and attended by ODINAFRICA National Co-ordinators. There were
also invited experts from Belgium and United States of America who have been providing
capacity building support for both data and information management for the project. The
participants reviewed the implementation status of the project and adopted work plan and budget
for the year 2002.
64
ODINCARSA. Taking into consideration the success of the ODIN network in Africa,
IOC Member States in the Caribbean and South America submitted a proposal to IODE-XVI for
a project called ODINLAC (Ocean Data and Information Network for Latin America and the
Caribbean) that would implement a regional ocean data and information network for those
regions. The resulting positive Recommendation was submitted to the IOC Assembly (July
2001) and approved for further action. The initiative was renamed ODINCARSA (Ocean Data
and Information Network for the Caribbean and South America regions).
65
The First Planning Workshop for the “Ocean Data and Information Network for the
IOCARIBE and South America regions (ODINCARSA)” was held in Guayaquil, Ecuador
between 24 and 26 October 2001, hosted by the Instituto Oceanográfico de la Armada del
Ecuador (INOCAR). The meeting was attended by participants from fourteen countries in the
Caribbean (IOCARIBE) and South America regions. The meeting reviewed the ocean data and
IOC/EC-XXXV/2 Annex 1
page 13
information management capacity available in the regions, identified capacity building
requirements and developed a comprehensive work plan and timetable to develop a regional
cooperative network for the management and exchange of oceanographic data and information
in the Caribbean and South America regions.
66
The UNESCO/IOC Regional OceanPortal Projects (African OceanPortal Caribbean/South American OceanPortal.) This project will provide access to information and
data on all aspects of ocean/coastal research and management for the benefit of various
communities such as decision-makers, the private sector, the research and education community
and the public. The development of regional portals will provide for increased ownership of the
portal by the target audiences and will enable a more targeted focus on national and regional
issues. The Regional OceanPortals will provide a high level of interactivity such as web-based
submission of content, possibility to subscribe to topics with email notification, and discussion
fora. Content types will include news, expertise, documents/publications, links to web sites, etc.
The project will build on and assist the regional data and information networks developed under,
for example, the ODINAFRICA (Ocean Data and Information Network for Africa) project
covering Africa, and the emerging ODINCARSA project for the Caribbean and South American
region. During the year 2001 the project was approved as part of a cross-sector project of
UNESCO and discussions were held to identify the core objectives and technical
implementation.
3.2
GENERAL BATHYMETRIC CHART OF THE OCEANS (GEBCO) AND OCEAN
MAPPING PROGRAMME (OMP)
67
The main goal of the GEBCO and OMP is to cover the world ocean with bathymetric
and geological/geophysical charts in order to provide the decision-makers, scientists, students
and wide range of users with information about bottom relief and geological parameters of the
open part of the World Ocean and in Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). GEBCO and OMP
provide a useful framework for many IOC programmes.
68
The main GEBCO activities in 2001 were centred on the preparation of the Third
Release of the CD-ROM GEBCO Digital Atlas (DGA). This work has been achieved in the end
of December. During the 18th Session of the GEBCO Guiding Committee, which took place in
April 2001 in Tokyo, more than 450 undersea features names were considered, and approved by
the Sub-Committee on Undersea Features Names (SCUNF). The version of the GEBCO
Centenary celebration’s plan was revised and submit to the Organizing Committee for final
approval.
69
Ocean Mapping programme. There are seven regional bathymetric projects within OMP
such as the International Bathymetric Chart of the Mediterranean (IBCM), the International
Bathymetric Chart of the Western Indian Ocean (IBCWIO), the International Bathymetric Chart
of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico (IBCCA), the International Bathymetric Chart of
the Arctic Ocean (IBCAO), the International Bathymetric Chart of the Central Eastern Atlantic
(IBCEA), and the International Bathymetric Chart of the Western Pacific (IBCWP). All the
above-mentioned projects developed successfully during 2001 and numerous new sheets were
printed in France, Germany, Russia and USA. Additionally, work continued on the compilation
of bathymetric data -- notably in the Arctic, Atlantic, Indian and Pacific Oceans. In accordance
with request of IOC Member States from the South-East Pacific Region the new project for
International Bathymetric Chart of the South-East Pacific was established in the end of 2001
with leadership of Hydrographic Service of the Chilean Navy.
IOC/EC-XXXV/2 Annex 1
page 14
4.
CONTRIBUTION TO THE PREPARATION TO THE WORLD SUMMIT ON
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (WSSD)
70
In response to the UN General Assembly resolution A/RES/55/199 soliciting a “Tenyear review of progress achieved in the implementation of the outcome of UNCED”, and in
view of the preparations for the organization of the World Summit on Sustainable Development
(WSSD), the XXIst IOC Assembly decided to convene an extraordinary session of the IOC
Executive Council for the purpose of approving a declaration, in addition to its supporting
document for the WSSD. In compliance with Resolution XXI-3 of the IOC Assembly, the
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission held the Extraordinary Session of its Executive
Council on 10-11 December of this year at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris. On the aforesaid
occasion, the Member States of the Executive Council approved the “Declaration by the
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO to the World Summit on
Sustainable Development” and instructed the IOC Executive Secretary to convey this document
at the earliest opportunity to the WSSD Preparatory Committee to be consequently incorporated
in their discussions and to be made available at the World Summit in Johannesburg, 2002.
71
In addition, The Global Conference on Oceans and Coasts at Rio+10: Toward the 2002
World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg took place from 3-7 December
2001 at the headquarters of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
(UNESCO) in Paris, France. The Conference, which was originally initiated by nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), was co-organized by IOC and the University of
Delaware’s Center for the Study of Marine Policy (CSMP), with the support of numerous
international and national organizations with an interest in oceans. The Conference was attended
by more than 450 participants from over 60 countries, including 13 ministers and vice-ministers
and ocean experts from governments, intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), NGOs, academic
and scientific institutions, and industry. Conference participants sought to: provide an overall
assessment of progress achieved on oceans and coasts in the ten years since the UN Conference
on Environment and Development (UNCED); identify new and continuing challenges; examine
cross-cutting issues among various ocean and coastal sectors; consider options for concerted
action on outstanding cross-sectoral issues; and provide recommendations for the oceans and
coasts agenda of the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD). The Conference was
organized into 17 panels, with presentations on selected topics followed by discussion. Eight
Working Groups composed of NGOs, IGOs and government representatives also met
throughout the week to assess information presented by the panels and prepare
recommendations on: harmonizing international agreements; targeting donor aid; assessing and
managing the marine environment; marine biodiversity and protected areas; integrated ocean
and coastal management; sustainable fisheries and aquaculture; regional and small island
perspectives; and capacity building. Outputs from the proceedings were summarized in a CoChairs’ Concluding Statement and Working Group Draft Reports, which were developed into a
“Co-Chairs’ Summary” to be presented in January 2002 to the WSSD PrepCom II, to inform the
WSSD process. Future planned outputs also include a volume on ministerial perspectives
presented at the Conference and several volumes and special issues of journals based on the
position papers submitted to the Conference.
72
IOC was represented at PrepCom III (28 January to 8 February 2002, New York),
through its Chairman Dr. Su Jilan and Executive Secretary. Under the Agenda item presentation
of results of intergovernmental meetings and processes; Chairman of IOC took the floor to
inform the meeting about the Extraordinary Session of the IOC Executive Council (10-11
December 2001) and on the IOC WSSD-Declaration (Document E/CN.17/2002/PC.2/Misc.1).
IOC/EC-XXXV/2 Annex 1
page 15
Immediately after, the Executive Secretary of IOC reported on the Global Conference on Oceans
and Coasts at Rio+10, based on the Co-Chairs Summary (Document DESA/DSD/PC2/BP7).
73
The PrepCom II Chairperson Paper, under Item IV. Protecting and managing the natural
resource base of economic and social development, identified several actions that are relevant to
the work of IOC. These include fisheries, implementation of UNCLOS, impact of land-based
activities on the marine environment, marine safety and shipping-based pollution, marine
protected areas, regional mechanisms for effective ocean and coastal management, marine
science and technology transfer, UN coordination for ocean affairs, and SIDS.
74
At PrepCom II IOC together with CSMP, UN-DOALOS, and NOAA, organized a
Roundtable Discussion entitled "Advancing the Sustainable Development of Oceans and Coasts
in Johannesburg and beyond", which was attended by 70 delegates, including 35 government
representatives, 18 IGOs, and 21 NGOs, attended the event. Some of the governments
represented were: Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Iceland, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea,
Portugal, The Netherlands, Samoa, South Africa, USA. The Panel was composed of Dr. Biliana
Cicin-Sain (Center for the Study of Marine Policy); Dr. Patricio Bernal (IOC); Hon. Rejoice
Mabudafhasi (Deputy Minister Department of Environmental Affairs & Tourism, South Africa);
Ambassador Tuiloma Neroni Slade (Samoa, and Chair of AOSIS); Mati Pal, (DOALOS);
Magnus Johannesson (Ministry for the Environment, Iceland); Dr. Verlee Vanderweerd,
(UNEP/GPA); and Dr. Charlotte de Fontaubert (Greenpeace).
5.
VIIth SESSION OF IOCARIBE
75
The 7th Session of the Session of the IOC Sub-Commission for the Caribbean and
adjacent Regions IOCARIBE was held in Veracruz, Mexico (25-28 February 2002) and was
opened by H.E. Minister of Public Education of Mexico (SEP) Dr. Reyes Tamez Guerra, and the
Constitutional Governor of the State of Veracruz, Lic. Miguel Aleman Velazco. On behalf of
President Vicente Fox, Secretary Tamez Guerra welcomed the representatives of the 25 Member
States participating in IOCARIBE. He stressed the commitment of Mexico in support of the IOC
of UNESCO and the importance that the Mexican Government attributed to hosting IOCARIBE
VII in Veracruz. He mentioned the early commitment and support of Mexico to the United
Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea. He also highlighted the role of the SEP in developing
the capacities of young Mexican and said that more than 500,000 Mexican students per annum
were trained through the Marine technical education programme of the SEP, a huge investment
in human resources for ocean related development.
76
A detailed report of 7th Session of IOCARIBE is envisaged under item 4.5.1of this EC
Agenda.
77
It was highlighted the need to use the process toward the WSSD to agree on a brief,
minimum set of priorities, as a joint Ocean Agenda, and the need to identify specific regions of
the world that could host the experimental implementation of this Ocean Agenda after
Johannesburg. In this context, ADG/IOC made an appeal to Member States of IOCARIBE to
consider offering the Caribbean Region as a potential platform to move forward a common
Ocean Agenda, together with UNEP’s GPA and Regional Seas Programme and the FAO
Regional Fisheries Organization.
IOC/EC-XXXV/2 Annex 1
page 16
78
On Wednesday 27 Mr. Nelson Andrade Colmenares, Head of the Caribbean Regional
Coordination Unit of UNEP (CAR/RCU), together with the Executive Secretary IOC, signed a
Memorandum of cooperation between the Secretariat of the Convention for the protection and
development of the Marine Environment of the wider Caribbean Region and the IOCARIBE
Sub-Commission of the Intergovernmental Commission of UNESCO (IOC). This agreement
updates a long history of cooperation between IOC and UNEP in the Caribbean Region,
resulting in the joint implementation of several joint projects in the past. The Current agreement
responds to instructions given to UNEP from the 12th meeting of the monitoring Committee of
the Contracting Parties of the Cartagena Convention; and to instructions given by the 21st
Session of the IOC Assembly to the Secretariat. It also responds to a specific recommendation
contained in the Report to the General Assembly of the UN, from the Second Informative
Consultative Process on Oceans and the Law of the Sea to increase cooperation between IOC
regional bodies and UNEP Regional seas programme.
79
At the end of the 7th Session of the IOCARIBE, and according to the Rules of Procedure,
the Member States present and voting, elected the new Board of Officers of the SubCommission.
6.
THE FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR ESTABLISHING A REGULAR PROCESS
FOR THE ASSESSMENT OF THE STATE OF THE MARINE ENVIRONMENT
80
The Governing Council (GC) of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) at
its 21st Session in February 2001 adopted decision 21/13 on the global assessment of the marine
environment. The decision GC.21/13 underlines the consensus of the GC on the need for
examining the feasibility for establishing a regular process for the assessment of the state of the
marine environment with active involvement by governments and regional agreements. It
reflects the strong feelings of governments that they need to have a sense of ownership in the
assessment process of the state of the marine environment and that they should be involved on a
continuous basis in the ongoing assessment and monitoring processes. Reference has been made
to the success of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) where governments
are involved both in the formulation of policy relevant questions and in the review of the
conclusions.
81
GC decision 21/13 requested “the Executive Director of UNEP, in cooperation with
IOC/UNESCO and other UN agencies, the CBD Secretariat, and the regional seas programmes
to explore the feasibility of establishing a regular process for the assessment of the state of the
marine environment”. The decision emphasized the need to build on existing assessment
processes such as the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental
Protection (GESAMP) and the Global International Water Assessment (GIWA). It also
requested a progress report to be submitted to 22nd session of the GC in February 2003.
82
The decision was distributed in early 2001 to the appropriate UN agencies, and the
secretariats of CB, the regional seas programmes and the ACC-SOCA with a request for their
views and suggestions about the feasibility of establishing a regular process for the assessment
of the state of the marine environment.
83
At its 11th session, ACC-SOCA was informed of the UNEP GC decision. The Subcommittee reiterated the value of independent scientific advice on oceans issues for the work of
the UN organizations, other international bodies and governments. Some members indicated that
IOC/EC-XXXV/2 Annex 1
page 17
IPCC’s success is associated with the fact it deals with only one issue, the climate change, while
issues in oceans covers a much wider spectrum. Financial implications of an intergovernmental
panel on oceans were also expressed. The programmes and agencies active in the Subcommittee
expressed their willingness to participate in the consultative process for conducting the
feasibility study and stressed the need for participation of Governments.
84
The Reykjavik meeting. – The first meeting on the “Feasibility Study for Establishing a
Regular Process for the Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment” was held at
Reykjavik 12-14 September 2001, and was attended by 37 persons representing international
bodies, regional organizations, national governments, and other concerned organizations. The
meeting main objectives were to establish whether an assessment process was needed; whether a
process would be feasible; what resources were available; who should be the principal users, and
what did they require from the process. The detailed report of the Reykjavik meeting is available
at http://www.unep.org/marineassessment/. In this meeting, the goals of the assessment were
established as follows:
“To provide on a regular and timely basis, scientific assessments of the state and
trends of all aspects of marine ecosystems for use by policy makers. These
assessments shall include consideration of socio-economic implications and identify
scenarios so as to assist policy makers in addressing marine-related issues. The
assessments should take the form of technical scientific reports, supplemented by
summaries for policy makers”.
85
Participants recommended that the mechanism selected to coordinate a regular global
marine assessment process should demonstrate the following four main criteria: cost
effectiveness; credibility; sustainability; and ability to address policy issues.
86
It was agreed that after a circulation of the Reykjavik meeting report for comments to a
broad-range of interested parties, a three-day technical workshop to outline a technical blueprint
for the development of the assessment process was warranted in early 2002. An awareness
meeting to follow, or take place during the CSD Preparatory Committee meetings was
considered as highly desirable.
87
The Bremen Technical Workshop. - The three-day Technical Workshop was held in
Bremen, 18-20 March 2002, sponsored by the German Government and was attended by 47
representatives of international bodies, regional organizations, national governments, and other
concerned organizations. IOC played a leading role in the meeting and chaired one of the
Working Groups. As a result of these efforts, a clear consensus about the process and the
components of a Regular Process for the Assessment of the State of the Marine Environment
emerged from the meeting. The workshop endorsed the idea to report on the progress to the
General Assembly’s Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and invited UNEP, national
delegations present at the meeting to do so. It was also agreed to inform the progress of this
initiative to the WSSD preparatory process.
88
In the Bremen meeting UNESCO/IOC proposed a general outline of the assessment
process and its components, outline that was generally endorsed by workshop participants and
included in the Report.
89
Outline of the Process for a Global Marine Assessment (GMA). - The example flow
diagram of the GMA given below envisions that the process comprises three stages:
IOC/EC-XXXV/2 Annex 1
page 18
a)
a)
Design / Stakeholder Engagement Phase
b)
Regional Phase
c)
Global Phase
Design / Stakeholder Engagement
90
For the design phase, the first step proposed is the convening of a high level group of
experts to act as the Scientific Panel (Global). The scientific panel will be tasked with the
production of a Draft Global Scientific Report on the State of the Ocean to identify the main
priority areas to be included in the assessment. Resorting to high-level experts guarantees the
independence and increases the credibility of the report. The group should use a system
approach to analyze, on one side, the different uses of the ocean (fisheries, transport, pollution,
etc.), looking at the interaction terms between uses. On the other side, it should look at the
impact of these uses on the resource-base and on the single and coupled natural processes that
sustain the resource-base and maintain the integrity of ocean ecosystems as a whole. The
different stages and final document produced in this phase should be subject to a transparent
peer review.
91
The Draft Global Scientific Report on the State of the Ocean will be made available to
the different Regional Stakeholder Fora. Each Forum should analyze this draft report with the
aim of customizing it by adding the specific risks/needs of the Region and by providing regional
policy demands into the process.
92
In a given region the Stakeholder Forum will convene the regional international
organizations, (IGOs, NGOs, UN regional bodies) and a variety of regional-indigenous
organizations with the aim of engaging them in the process, increasing in this way its credibility,
saliency and legitimacy.
93
The Stakeholder forum is proposed as multi-functional and requires the participation of
experts, organizations and stakeholders related to different economic sectors (Fisheries,
transport, environmental protection). No regional organization exists that can offer a level
ground for this discussion. Furthermore, there is no international legal instrument that is truly
multi-sectoral in scope or mandate.
94
The participation of bodies with regional mandates is essential, since their mandates are
based on existing sectoral instruments (regional seas agreements, regional fisheries
organizations, conventions), or plan of actions derived from global instruments (GPA, CBD,
UNFCCC, other Conventions, Agreements, etc.). If the Assessment process gathers sufficient
momentum, it could help to streamline the national and regional reporting to the many
international instruments and contribute to build in this way new governance instruments for
oceans and coast at the regional level.
b)
95
Regional Phase
A Regional Scientific Panel, based on the global report and the output of the Stakeholder
Forum, should produce a Regional Scientific Report on the State of the Ocean, containing the
common global issues, as well as the regional specific questions to be included in the
assessment. This Scientific/technical report will be peer reviewed.
IOC/EC-XXXV/2 Annex 1
page 19
96
The Regional Scientific Report should be operationalized into a Regional Assessment
Plan, and the assessment conducted at the regional level. All phases of the regional assessment
should be peer reviewed. The assessment team will produce a Draft Assessment Report to be
submitted for review to the Stakeholder Forum, and to all the Governments of the Region.
97
The reports from the Stakeholder Forum and from the governments stand on their own
merit. They will be made available and will be considered as inputs for the Global Phase of the
Assessment.
c)
Global Phase
98
The initial Scientific Panel, enlarged by experts selected from the regional scientific
Panels, will undertake the synthesis of the several outputs from the Regional Phase and produce
the final version of the Global Assessment Report on the State of the Ocean. This is the main
output of the process and should be peer reviewed and stand on its own merit.
99
Since Assessments are part of a Governance cycle, that is, a cycle in which
recommendations should be followed by policy improvements to correct course of actions, it is
expected that some high level international body, bearing responsibility with respect to the
stewardship of the Ocean and ocean resources, should take note, (endorse, reject) and if
appropriate act on the recommendations of the report. This is depicted in figure 1 as a Multistakeholder Forum. As suggested in the body of the report, this body should carry the
recognition of the general Assembly of the UN, the single body mandated today (through
UNCLOS) to look for Oceans.
100
Conclusion - The process, as depicted here, should have maximized the likelihood that
the Assessment Report carries a high credibility (independence and quality of the scientific
inputs), it is salient or relevant, addressing the general as well as the specific concerns of a wide
range of users, and is legitimate by being transparent and insuring that the interest of different
users have been considered in a fair and balanced way.
IOC/EC-XXXV/2 Annex 1
page 20
Figure 1:
Regional and Global Aspects of a Credible, Salient and Legitimate GMA Process
Design / Stakeholder Engagement Phase
Scientific Panel
(Global)
High Level
Independent
[Draft] Scientific Report
(Global)
Region 1
R2
R3
R4
R5
R6
STAKEHOLDER FORUM
(Regional)
Scientific Panel
(Regional)
Regional Phase *
System Approach
Individual Uses
Interactive Effects/Impacts
Single Natural Processes
Interactions Among Natural Processes
Peer Reviewed
Rn
UN, IGO, NGO's
Multi-Functional
·
Fisheries
·
Environment
·
Science
·
Transport
·
………
Global Conventions
Regional Organisations
Global Common Elements
+ Regional Elements
Scientific Report
(Regional)
Peer Review
Regional Assessment Plan
Regional Assessment Report
STAKEHOLDER FORUM
(Regional)
Governments
Region 1
Rn
Global Phase
Scientific Panel
Global + (n) Regions
MAIN OUTPUT
High Level
Regions
Represented
Peer Reviewed
Global Assessment Report
*
(Global)
To increase clarity, only one of the (n-number) of regional
pathways is illustrated.
Global Multi-Stakeholder Forum
Policy Options
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