Download Trip report to New York, Paris, Brest Boulder, San Diego and

SOPAC Trip Report 80
March 1990
TRIP REPORT TO NEW YORK, PARIS, BREST
BOULDER, SAN DIEGO AND HONOLULU
15 January .10 February 1990
by
* Yann Morel
Techsec
Prepared for: South Pacific Applied Geoscience Commission (SOPAC) Technical Support Services, Data Management Programme
Contributed by: France, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
[2]
Report on trip to the IOC/IODE XIII session
(UN, New York, 17 .24 Jan 1990)
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission technical committee on International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange
(IODE) held its thirteenth session at the UN headquarters in New York, 17 to 24 January 1990 (IOC/IODE XIII). IOC/IODE XII (Moscow
1987) was attended by the then CCOP/SOPAC's data manager, Laurent d'Ozouville, with much profit to SOPAC's data management activities.
Upon an invitation received from the Secretary of IOC, the Director of SOP AC appointed the present Data Manager to attend this meeting as a
representative of SOP AC in view of the particular importance of oceanographic data and information exchange to our island member countries,
as many marine scientific researches are being conducted within their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ).
The IODE meeting aims at forD1ulating a number of recommendations for consideration at the next IOC Executive Council meeting in March
1990.
General Scope or IODE activities:
IODE activities under the auspices of IOC are mainly aimed at making publicly available the results of major marine scientific research
programmes for the benefit of the study of global phenomena ruling the earth environment and its evolution by cooperative international
programmes.
This was particularly evident during the l3th session where global ocean science programmes have been given outstanding importance:
TOGA
Tropical Oceans and Global Atmosphere
WOCE
World Ocean Circulation Experiment
JGOFS
Joint Global Ocean Flux Studies
IGBP
International Geosphere -Biosphere Programme
GIPME
Global Investigation of Pollution in the Marine Environment
(Other acronyms used in this report are listed in the Appendix).
[PR80 -Morel]
[3]
Routine IODE activities include:
1. Activities of World Data Centers (Oceanography)
Worth noting is the development of World Data Center D (oceanography) in the People's Republic of China, in connection with the
recent installation of a sub commission of the IOC in Bangkok for the West Pacific Region (IOC/SC-WESTPAC).
The SOP AC region is part of WESTP AC; we should consider getting involved in the activities of IOC/SC-WESTPAC. China is
taking the lead for the compilation of bathymetric maps in the WESTPAC region; SOPAC region seems to be remarkably absent in that field of
activities.
2. Activities of National Oceanographic Data Centers.
Worth noting are the activities of Japan Oceanographic Data Center, which is achieving the bathymetric compilation of the Northwest
Pacific region at the scale of 1:1,(XX),(XX) (GEBCO minutes), to be further disseminated on CD-ROM.
New Data types: including oceanography from space.
Data products and services: emphasis on the CD /ROM as a mean of dissemination of databases, and on the development of an
European network for marine data and information management.
IODE development: emphasis on the use and development of GF3 (General Format
3) for exchanging any kind of oceanographic data, and on the use of PC-based computer procedures.
Marine information management: ASFA and ASFIS; dissemination on CD-ROM
Training and Mutual Assistance in Marine information and Data Management (TEMA). A paper entitled "Report on the SOPAC Data
Management Activities", prepared by Yann Morel, was tabled at the meeting under TEMA heading.
[PR80 -Morel]
[4]
IODE and Other Activities worth noting
1.
The widespread use of UNESCO's CDS-ISIS relational database management system all around the world in the oceanographic
community; a training course in the use of CDS/ISIS will be held in Suva late this year .
2.
The developing use of the GF3 (developed and disseminated under IOC auspices)- which should some day supersede the MGD77
format for the exchange of marine geophysical data. It is adaptable to any kind of data, as this system allows for freely formatting the
data. A training course for the use of GF3 will be held in USSR in May 1990.
3.
The announcement of the "Global change diskette project" by NODC (Boulder, Colorado), aimed at developing countries, for the
description of vegetation, ecosystems, topography, climatic summaries, etc. It will contain a Geographic Information System and
manual, and will include data on CD-ROM.
5.
Japan Oceanographic Data Center is soon to release the bathymetry of the WESTPAC area on CD-ROM.
6.
The MEDI database in the IOC/IODE system: describes briefly the oceanographic organisations and the data sets that they hold. This
is something that SOP AC Data Management should access.
7.
OCEAN-PC: The NOAA is engaged in the development and dissemination of this software package, starting from CUCOM (climate
computer) which was originally developed by the us National Climate Data Center for entry, analysis and display of historical
meteorological records in developing countries. OCEAN-PC will have widespread applications to a variety of marine data; it will also
contain copies of large databases on CD-ROM.
[PR80 -Morel]
[5]
Software demonstrations
Several demonstrations proved to be of particular interest to SOP AC:
ASFIS : ASFA on CD-ROM
The Aquatic Science and fisheries abstracts cover in particular:
•
marine geology and geophysics
•
non-living resources
•
oceanography
•
remote geosensing
•
related offshore operations and services
ROSIN and RESEARCH
Two PC-based software for loading and searching ROSCOP forms (cruises summary reports). It is available from the ICES in Denmark.
Unfortunately, ROSCOP forms have only been computerised for the Atlantic Ocean.
OCEANIC
Ocean Network Informations Center, an online information system that provides in particular cruise programmes and schedules for nine
countries. Contributing our own information to OCEANIC should be considered.
SCIENCENET
An electronic mail service that is used by a large majority of oceanographers in the US, and by a growing number of individuals and institutions
throughout the world. Access to SCIENCENET should become possible within months in Fiji according to the salesperson. Sixty percent of
IODE attendees provide their telemail address.
MARIS
Marine Information System; a PC-based geographic information system to store the geographic coordinates of a variety of marine related
informations such as : coast line, navigation tracks, sampling stations, current meters moorings, concession limits etc. Provides search and
graphic display capabilities, and access to where and under what conditions are the actual information accessible. Purchase of a copy of this
system, customised to SOPAC needs, should be considered.
[PR80 -Morel]
[6]
NODC CD-ROMS
Containing the complete Pacific Ocean temperature and salinity profiles (1990 -1988). Another set contains all DSDP data. This points to the
opportunity for SOPAC to acquire a CD- ROM drive.
[PR80 -Morel]
[7]
Report on trip to France
(25 January .3 February 1990)
Taking the opportunity of the IODE meeting in New York, and in view of a number of pending problems to be sorted out, my trip was extended
to France and various places in the United States.
After a year and a half out, it was useful to meet certain persons to strengthen links.
Ministry or Foreign Affairs
1. I met with Madame Canni for broad discussions, and also for advocating the SOPAC request for funds for 1990. Training aspects were also
discussed as we ought to prepare the replacement of expatriate experts by locally recruited computer specialists.
As for the recruitment of a remote sensing geologist, Madame Carmi was prepared to provide SOP AC with a choice of resumes, as she already
had three and was waiting for a fourth one.
2. I met with Madame Car/e, for reinforcing the priority of the UN-Associate Expert position at Data Management, for which Marc Urvois is still
waiting. A detailed argumentation was prepared to fight the threat of a simple cancellation of this position. The contribution of SOPAC's
Director was requested by fax.
IFREMER/P ARIS
1. I met with MM Isphording, Henocque, Biju Duva/ (Paris). IFREMER's contribution to
SOP AC will amount to 100,(XX) FF this year. Major re-organisation is expected particularly in the Geosciences area. The expertise of a person
from the computer center at IFREMER/Brest is agreed upon, to help develop our SOP AC data Management procedures in 1990. The IFREMER
representative in Noumea is soon to be given a regional mandate for the South Pacific.
[PR80 -Morel]
[8]
IFREMER/BREST (22 -23 January)
1. I met with MM Belbeoch, Edy, Pautot, Auzende , and Populus. My main interest was on the electronic bathymetric compilation and on the
Seabeam/Satellite image archive system on optical disk. See my memo to Deputy Director (26 February 1990). I encouraged IFREMER to
showan interest in supporting SOPAC in these fast developing areas, particularly to the extent where SOPAC is (and will be) using important
funds from the European Community for ocean mapping purposes through LOME III and IV conventions.
Part of this interest comes from the fact that they have developed computer procedures to merge conventional bathymetric contour lines with
additional swath mapping data; this is part of a systematic EEZ mapping project. Application of these procedures to the wealth of data in the
SOP AC region would progressively lead to the implementation of an electronic ocean mapping atlas system for the region.
I also spent some time at IFREMER, advocating the interest of the remote sensing geologist position available at SOP AC to a number of fellow
geologists, either through direct discussions, or through the phone.
EPSHOM/BREST (23 January)
1. EPSHOM is the Navy's Hydrographic Office in Brest. They have developed a procedure to produce nautical space charts from SPOT satellite
images. The person in charge of this
project, Mr Fourgassie , will soon be appointed the Hydrographic Office's representative in Noumea. I saw a demonstration of their image
processing procedure that runs on a MicroVAX II set up, like the one we have at Techsec, and also their system to draw bathymetric contour
lines in shallow waters from stereo-pairs of aerial photos. These techniques have an exciting potential in the SOPAC area, when it comes to
preparing nautical charts in remote lagoonal areas (see for example Fiji's project in the Lau group of islands), or more simply precise base maps
in view of field specific surveys or of coastal development projects.
[PR80 -Morel]
[9]
BRGM/ORLEANS (I February)
1. I met with Marc Urvois , and with several other persons: MM Colleau ( computer aided mapping), Lefeuvre (software development), Scanvic
(remote sensing), Galtier (marine documentation). Marc Urvois is under temporary contract until 9th of May, next to be converted into a long
term appointment. The experience he is gaining in the field of computer aided mapping would be highly valuable at SOP AC. He still looks
forward to coming back to SOP AC.
[PR 80 – Morel]
[10]
Trip report to the United States
(5 .8 February 1990)
NOAA/NODC, BOULDER (Colorado): 5 February
1. I met with MM Loughridge, Moore, Griffin, Metzger, and made a presentation on SOPAC data management activities to the whole NODC
staff. NODC acts as the World Data Center A for marine geology and geophysics. My main interest was on the management of offshore cruise
data, as most of the cruise data presently in our database at SOP AC were copied from NODC. Of particular interest is the management of
cruises data in a compressed form, containing only abstracted navigation files, and indexed to existing bathymetric, magnetic, gravimetric and
seismic data. I intend to implement such a lightweight system at SOP AC, which might in turn interest some of our member countries as it runs
on PCs.
Scripps Institiute of Oceanography (SIO)/SAN DIEGO (California): 6 -7 February
1. I met with MM Smith (Geological Data Center), Hawkins, Mammerickx (bathymetric compilation), and Shor (Deputy Director in charge of
clearance problems).
2. Discussion with Smith: suggests that we could find a compromise between our two parties on the problem of getting cruise underway data
soon after the completion of a cruise. This alleviates the delicate question of proprietary hold on the cruise data, while waiting for full data to
become available for international exchange. I was provided with abstracted and indexed navigation files of eleven recent cruises by SIO vessels,
most comparable to NODC's.
3. In discussion with Hawkins: I was provided with documents and a tape, upon request by the Fiji Government for the seismic data shot by
Hawkins between Suva and the Lau Basin in January 1989.
4. In discussion with Shor: I learnt that SIO are looking for a "gentlemen's agreement" to allow for delivery of copies of data to SOPAC instead
of its various member countries, besides cruise reports naturally.
[PR80 -Morel]
[11]
5. Speaking with Mrs Mammerickx : I realised that nobody, apparently, is taking care of the compilation of the South West Pacific data in view
of the preparation of the 6th edition of the GEBCO map. This work is done for the rest of the Pacific Ocean, original compilation at the scale of
1:500,(XX), publication at the scale of 1:6,442,194 at the equator -the scale used for
the SOP AC map of 1983. It looks like she faces difficulties in obtaining the appropriate data. I feel that it's in the interest of SOPAC countries
that Techsec takes a coordinating role in order to promote a bathymetric compilation in the SOPAC region. I brought back a series of new
bathymetric and tectonic maps for the NW , NE and SE Pacific.
Hawaii Institute or Geophysics (HIG): 8 February
1. I met with MM Rubano and Duennebeier (DIG), Saxena (Civil Engineering). Johnson (East- West Center) and d'Ozouville (JOIDES).
2. In discussion with Mrs Rubano, the question of pending RIG cruises data has been sorted out, although severe computer constraints still
impose significant delays in the processing of several cruises at RIG.
3. In discussion with Dr Saxena, I find out that he is setting up the Pacific Mapping Center to be opened on 15 March 1990. This Center is
established under the auspices of the JOMAR (USGS-NOAA Joint Office for Mapping and Research in the EEZ), the PICHTR (the Pacific
International Center for High Technology Research), and the University of Hawaii. It intends to be the Pacific regional data center for
bathymetry, magnetism, gravity, seismic, surface temperature and other related data, and will emphasise cooperative research with Pacific
nations and ocean industry (marine mining and fisheries).
SOPAC might consider becoming a member of PACON-International (Pacific Congress on marine science and technology), a non-profit
scientific organisation dedicated to sharing scientific and technological information among the Pacific maritime nations. PACON- International,
under Dr Saxena's direction, is organising P ACON 90, an international congress, to be held at the Nihom University, Tokyo in July 1990.
[PR80 -Morel]
[12]
The alternative for SOPAC with respect to ocean mapping compilation is clearly between developing its autonomy through cooperative activity
with Europe/Australia, and plugging into the US/Japan system, as PACON and the Pacific Mapping Center may be viewed as major entities in
the Pacific. This remark may be related to that of the compilation of the SW quadrant of the GEBCO maps. Obviously SOPAC should take some
action soon.
4. Dr Charles Johnson told me about the development of the Pacific Mineral Resources databases at the Resource System Institute of the East
West Center, where Jackson Lum of Fiji MRD is presently working on gold prospects economics. Clearly, there is no point in developing a
marine minerals database at SOPAC, as this is done at RSI and covers our region. Discussions in Suva with Allen Clark, in charge of RSI,
indicated that he is open to the idea of developing a subset of his database to be implemented at SOPAC; this is to be further negotiated with the
SOP AC Director .
[PR80 -Morel]
[13]
APPENDIX
ACRONYMS
ASFA
ASFIS
Aquatic Science and Fisheries Abstracts
Aquatic Science and Fisheries Information System
CD-ROM
Compact Disc -Read Only Memory
CDS-ISIS
the name of a software package
DSDP
Deep Sea Drilling Project
GEBCO
General Bathymetry Chart of the Ocean
ICES
International Council for the Exploration of the Sea
IOC
Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
IOC/SC-WESTPAC
IOC Sub Commission for the West Pacific Region
IODE
International Oceanographic Data Exchange
MEDI
Marine Environment Data and Information
NOAA National
Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (US)
NODC
National Oceanographic Data Center
PACON
Pacific Congress on Marine Science and Technology
ROSCOP
Oceanographic Cruise Summary report
RSI
Resource Systems Institute of the East -West Center
TEMA
Training and Mutual Assistance
[PR80 -Morel]