9609/Vol II/134 11
January, 2002
1. Country : Mauritius
2 Principal National Contact for GOOS :
S.N.SOKAPPADU M. BEEBEEJAUN
Meteorological Services Officer-in-Charge
St Paul Road Marine Meteorology Division
VACOAS Meteorological Services
Tel (230)686-1031 St Paul Road
(230)686-6847 VACOAS
Fax (230)686-1033 Tel (230)686-1031
(230)686-6847
Fax (230)686-1033
e-mail:meteo@intnet.mu
(All correspondence be addressed to Mr Beebeejaun)
3. Mechanism for national co-ordination of GOOS
Mauritius Meteorological Services is planning to establish a committee consisting of all on GOOS activities.
4. Membership of and contribution to regional GOOS bodies
Mauritius is participating actively in GOOS AFRICA and is a member of the drafting committee for sea-level monitoring.
Mauritius will also participate in the project implementation of WIOMAP whenever funding becomes available.
5. National Contribution to GOOS Implementation
Mauritius is participating in some initial observing systems of GOOS. No GOOS pilot project is being implemented in the country or region.
5.1 Initial Observing Systems
§ Mauritius is participating in GLOSS. 2 tide – gauge stations in Port-Louis (Mauritius) and Port-Mathurin (Rodrigues) were established within the framework of the TOGA programme since 1986.
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§ The Mauritius Albion Fisheries Centre (AFRC) is participating in the global Coral Reef Monitoring Network (GCRMN).
§ Under VOS, the national ships have been trained to perform basic meteorological and oceanographic observations. Unfortunately, these observations are temporarily discontinued.
§ The national Coast Guard has been trained and observations from their fleet are being regularly carried out.
§ A wave rider buoy was deployed in 1996 off the South East coast of Mauritius in deep water to measure the height of waves reaching our shores. Sea surface temperature is also being measured.
5.2 Contribution to GOOS pilot projects
§ Mauritius has opened its EEZ to ARGO floats. It also intends to provide platforms for launching upon request.
5.3 Contributions to GOOS-Related Research
It is proposed to include a project on the deployment of an array of deep sea moored buoys to study the “tropical gyre” in the zonal extensive thermocline ridge to study the vertical exchanges of heat at the ocean surface and below the thermocline
5.4 Other Contributions to GOOS
Mauritius has established a National Oceanographic and Data Centre (NODC). It is participating actively in ODINEA-II.
6. Capacity Building in Support of GOOS or GOOS-Related Research
The Western Indian Ocean is the least studied region with very few and unevenly distributed observing stations. It is suggested that a regional and national workshop be organised to raise awareness about GOOS mission and objectives.
7. Impediments to Progress
A national workshop and intensive media communications should be used to highlight the Socio-economic benefits of GOOS. Public and Government awareness are imperative to make GOOS project a success. GOOS pilot projects must be implemented and developing countries thoroughly involved.
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8. Indications of financial contribution to GOOS
It is difficult in the actual economic context to earmark funds for GOOS. However, Government will be requested for contribution.
8.1 Investment in national activities
Request for some tide gauge stations to be installed in our outer islands have been envisaged. The data will be available freely at local and international levels for monitoring and scientific research.
8.2 Investment in National Co-ordination
Meteorological Service will provide office space, furniture and staff to all partners of GOOS.
8.3 Investment (real or potential) in International Co-ordination
Manpower and Scientific knowledge will be the main area of Investment.