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NEAR-GOOS home page
1st IOC/WESTPAC Training Course
on NEAR-GOOS Data Management
(13 October - 24 October 1997)
Japan Oceanographic Data Center (JODC)
Hydrographic Department, Maritime Safety Agency, Tokyo, Japan
3.1 OPENING
3.2 OUTLINE OF THE COURSE PROGRAMME
3.2.1. Activities of the Hydrographic Department
3.2.2. Activities of the Japan Oceanographic Data Center (JODC)
3.2.3. International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE) System and Data Exchange in the WESTPAC Region
3.2.4. NEAR-GOOS
3.2.5. Data Management
3.2.5.1 Oceanography
3.2.5.2 Marine Geophysics
3.2.6. Information Management
3.2.6.1 Cruise Summary Report (CSR)
3.2.7. Practical Training
3.2.7.1 Internal Data Base (J-DARS)
3.2.7.2 External Data Base (J-DOSS)
3.3.1. Marine Information Research Center (MIRC)
3.3.2. Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA)
3.3.3. Japan Marine Science & Technology Center (JAMSTEC)
3.4 COUNTRY REPORT
3.5 CLOSING
4. COURSE EVALUATION
4.1 LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS
4.2 PERIOD, MATERIALS
4.3 LECTURES
4.4 STUDY VISITS
4.5 EXPECTATION AND SATISFACTION
4.6 OPINION TO IMPROVE THE COURSE
5. CONCLUSION
III . Country Reports (Korea, Russia, Vietnam)
IV . List of Participating Countries in Training Course from 1982 to 1997
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"The Training Course on Oceanographic Data Management for WESTPAC" has been organized every year since 1982 at the Japan Oceanographic Data Center (JODC), in support of the activities of the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC).
Because NEAR-GOOS was begun last year, data management of it was added to the course. And the course name was changed to "the 1st IOC/WESTPAC training course on NEAR-GOOS". It was organized by the JODC under the auspices of the IOC from 13 to 24 October 1997 at the JODC, Hydrographic Department, Maritime Safety Agency, Tokyo, Japan.
The objectives of the training course were to disseminate concepts of NEAR-GOOS and its functions in the WESTPAC region and to allow participants to become acquainted with acquisition, processing and exchange of oceanographic data in accordance with principles used within the framework of the International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE) programme.
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The IOC announced the training course through its Circular Letter No. 1525 dated 7 May 1997 to all Member States of the WESTPAC. The application requirements were that candidates should have adequate background knowledge in the field of oceanographic data management, preferably with responsibilities for oceanographic data management at their national oceanographic data centers(NODC), or equivalent organization in their home country and a good command of the English language.
Eight applications were received from four Member States of the WESTPAC in response to the IOC Circular Letter. In consultation with the authorities concerned in Japan, seven participants from Korea (5), Russia, and Vietnum were selected by the JODC and the IOC (see Annex I).
The training course was officially opened on 13 October 1997 by Mr. Toshio Nagai, Director of Japan Oceanographic Data Center, Hydrographic Department (JHD), Maritime Safety Agency, Tokyo, Japan. In his opening remarks, Mr. Nagai reminded the participants and the lecturers that the aim of this training course is to improve levels of oceanographic data management works, both in real time and non-real time, and facilitate mutual data exchange in North East Asian Regional countries ; and contribute to Global Ocean Observing System. For this reason we invited two lecturers ; Dr. Taira, chairman of WESTPAC and Mr. Hasegawa, NEAR-GOOS coordinator ; in addition to the staffs of Hydrographic Department and JODC. Furthermore, he stressed that since oceanographic data exchange was one of the most efficient and important aspect of the international cooperation, the participants' role, not only in their own country but also in the international oceanographic community would be far more important.
Finally he expressed that mutual friendship and understanding between participants and related organizations was one of the important factors for efficient data and information exchange.
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The program covered various subjects such as NEAR-GOOS, Real Time Data Base and Delayed Mode Data Base, the outline of JODC's activities, and Hydrographic Department, the IOC and the IODE system, oceanographic data management at the JODC, and study visits (see Annex II). Practical exercises of the usage of personal computers (PC) and workstations in the data management. During the course, workstations were provided for on-line database including Internet.
Course materials distributed to the participants are as follows:
- NEAR-GOOS (brochure)
- IOC Manual and Guides 26 (Section 2.4)
- Activities of Hydrographic Department (brochure)
- Activities of JODC (brochure)
- Oceanographic Data Management Text Book prepared by JODC
- JODC User's Guide
- Documents related to WOCE and GTSPP
- Quality Control Procedure
- CD-ROM for Surface Current Data Set produced by JODC in
1996
The organization and major activities of the Department were briefly explained with a display panel showing the history of the Department. A film entitled: "Hydrographic Activities of the Department", documented the activities of R.V. SHOYO on the Hydrographic survey/oceanographic observations was screened.
3.2.2 Activities of JODC
The organization of the JODC, the reception of oceanographic data and information from the originator, data processing flow, data files were explained. The role of the JODC as the responsible National Oceanographic Data Center for the WESTPAC (RNODC) was also explained. During the explanation "the JODC User's Guide" was used, which was prepared for the training course in 1994.
3.2.3 International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE) System and Data Exchange in the WESTPAC Region
A lecture was given on the history, structure and function of the IODE system of the IOC, proceeded by the outlines of the IOC's activities.
It included the basic idea, organizational structure and history of the IODE followed by explanations of data flow from observing stations to World Data Centers (WDCs) through National Oceanographic Data Centers (NODCs) and Responsible National Oceanographic Data Centers (RNODCs).
Lectures were given on data exchange in the WESTPAC region, explaining the activities of the JODC as the RNODC for the WESTPAC. It was noted that the JODC was also acting as the RNODC for the Integrated Global Ocean Services System programs (IGOSS), the RNODC for the IOC Marine Pollution Monitoring programme (MARPOLMON) for the WESTPAC region, and the RNODC for Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP). Lecture outlined the tasks of the RNODC for the WESTPAC including procedures for forwarding and disseminating oceanographic information, procedures for forwarding data and data announcement and retrieval of data and information on the WESTPAC program.
A lecture was given on the aims of WESTPAC/NEAR-GOOS, the circumstance concerning its inauguration, the structure of its organization and the content of the enterprise. It included the trend of recent oceanographic research concerning environmental issues and the actual use of that data.
Lectures were given on the importance of exchanging real-time data , IGOSS and GOOS which are under operation now, especially NEAR-GOOS and the framework of data exchange in detail. Lecture outlined, as a successful example of real-time data exchange, the oceanographic data system of the Meteorological Agency, which was used for the early detection of the El Nino event.
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Data items and files which have been developed by the JODC, and observational methods of GEK, Drifters, Ship drift, ADCP, Mooring, Tide and Tidal current observation were introduced. One of the main topics in this session was quality control, of the data. Position check, speed check of vessel, spike check for temperature and salinity, limitation check for various parameter including meteorological parameters, check of hourly height of sea level, check of tidal current were introduced. Especially ADCP and Drifters were introduced in detail. Additionally, animation on the comparing images of the published tidal current chart and the new digital tidal current chart, animation of the predicting system for drifting materials and sea water exchange were introduced. In conjunction with oceanographic data management, CD-ROM data set for surface current profile produced by the JODC in 1996 was introduced and provided.
As only two participants have experience of bathymetry and marine geophysical surveys, preliminary explanation of sounding, chart, basic map of the sea and GEBCO (General Bathymetric Chart of the Ocean) were defined. Then data management system for the geophysical/geological data were outlined, J-BIRD (JODC Bathymetry Integrated Random Data Set) and MGD77 (Marine Geophysical Data Format). Formats and data contents of the JODC's geological / geophysical master files were then shown.
Geophysical Data Management System (GEODAS) which has been developed by U.S. NGDC, was explained. GEODAS was an advanced management system for data which was formatted with MGD77.
In addition, GEBCO was introduced as a picture of example of the international cooperation in the field of geology/geophysics. GEBCO Digital Atlas(GDA) provided by BODC in 1994 was also demonstrated in PCs.
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The lecturer stressed the importance of information management, especially those managed by CSR. At first, he introduced CSR with its purpose and characteristics. He went ahead and explained the contents, and formats of CSR. The data base management system for CSR at the JODC was shown in Workstation. It was noted that the JODC published and distributed CSR annually through the RNODC Activity Report to Member States of the IOC. At the same time, submission of CSR to the JODC was requested to the participants because the JODC was the RNODC of WESTPAC.
The JODC has developed oceanographic data management system in relational database in 1994. It is so called J-DARS(JODC Oceanographic Data Archiving and Retrieving System). The system could be far a way from the concept of cruise file or geographical file because of its relational structure. All data including restricted data are registered in the data base for internal use. Any data could be extracted by retrieving keys such as country code, ship code, institution code, observation date, observation area (latitude, longitude) in a short time through the Hydrographic Department network. The participants took practice of its operation after conceptual introduction.
3.2.7.2 External Data Base (J-DOSS)
Beside J-DARS, the JODC has also developed another oceanographic data management system in relational database in 1995. It is called J-DOSS (JODC Data On-line Service System) to provide users with the JODC's holding data through Internet. The system provides information on newly received data, the JODC's holding data as well as other WWW home pages. In particular, a lecturer stressed that users could search data inventory and download actual data to their workstation through ftp. Any data could be extracted by retrieving keys such as country code, ship code, institution code, observation date, observation area (latitude, longitude) in a short time through Internet. The participants were impressed very much by the JODC's WWW homepage because participants have not experienced such a home page with data downloading function.
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A study visit to Marine Information Research Center (MIRC) was conducted on the morning of 17 October to provide an opportunity to be aware of one function of Japan Hydrographic Association.
The MIRC was established in May 1997 in the Japan Hydrographic Association. MIRC will conduct high grade quality control to the oceanic data compiled by JODC, and produce useful data products for users of various fields. Speedy distribution of necessary data set and of data products is also the task of MIRC. MIRC keeps experts and technical staffs and computer and communication facilities to conduct these businesses. Besides, MIRC will work for enlightening and popularization of the ocean knowledge for general publics using its data products. To serve the studies on the global environment and the climate prediction researches, MIRC joins in international data exchange systems in order to produce the necessary global data set of high quality.
The second study visit to Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) was conducted in the afternoon of 17 October. Fields of visit are as follows.
- Oceanographical Division
JMA's data collection/processing activities for physical oceanographic services were shown. The hardware for the NEAR-GOOS Real Time Data Base was also shown, and some of the data base capabilities were demonstrated.
- El Nino Monitoring and Prediction Center
The Ocean Data Assimilation System for El Nino monitoring was explained. It was shown that the System gave useful information for the early detection of the El Nino event of 1997-98.
- Wave Forecasting Service/Marine Meteorological Division
The JMA's wave analysis and forecast activities were demonstrated. The numerical ocean wave prediction models calculate evolution of wave conditions based upon the equations of wave dynamics using the surface wind data given by numerical weather prediction models of JMA.
- Sea Ice Monitoring Service/Maritime Meteorological Division
The JMA's activities related to the sea ice monitoring was shown.
The remote sensing from GMS-5 is a useful tool for the sea ice monitoring.
- Pollutants Chemical Analysis Center/Oceanographical Division
The Center's activities were demonstrated, with emphasis on the systematic measurements of the carbon dioxide flux through the sea surface.
-Numerical Prediction Division
The operational global and limited area numerical weather prediction models were explained. Some output from the numerical models and data assimilation systems were demonstrated.
- Forecast Division
The weather forecast services at JMA were briefly introduced. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has established a variety of facilities throughout the country to provide integrated meteorological services in 1956.
The JMA is responsible as the national meteorological service for contributing to the improvement of public welfare including prevention and mitigation of natural disasters, safety of transportation, prosperity of industries, and international cooperation activities. The major services are to issue the weather forecasts in short-range, one-week, and long-range; the warning/advisories against typhoon and heavy rainfall/snowfall; the warning/forecast against tsunami, storm surge, ocean waves and flood; and provide the information on earthquake and volcanic activities.
On 21 October, the third study visit to the Japan Marine Science and Technology Center (JAMSTEC) was organized to give a chance for the participants to see underwater observation technology.
At first, Outline of the JAMSTEC was introduced by video to the participants. And next a study visit was introduced about the development of marine equipment such as Ocean Acoustic Topography, Offshore Floating Wave Power System named "Mighty Whale" , and latest survey vessel "Mirai".
The JAMSTEC was founded in 1971 through the cooperative efforts of government, academia and the private sector. The Center was expected to promote marine sciences and technology in Japan in response to the social needs of the people, and today plays a highly important role in those activities.
The Country Reports were presented by six participants to introduce their activities. This session provided useful information to the JODC staff with regard to the their oceanographic data management and state-of-the-art in the field of marine in the South East Asia. The Country Report are in Annex III.
The training course was completed on 24 October 1997. Mr. Toshio Nagai, Director of the JODC, addressed his congratulations to the participants for their fruitful completion of the course. He expressed that the preparation of this training course has started since this June with the assistance of IOC and the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture of Japan. Also the curriculum has been considered at the JODC based on our experience and recent interest in the oceanographic community, and executed by cooperation with many experts. And he mentioned with his belief that this course could provide the participants with knowledge of basic oceanographic data management, both in real time and non real time as well as information on the JODC activities. He also pointed out that this training course was most fruitful to establish good human relations among the participants and between the participants and the JODC staff, and the participants were very welcomed to contact the JODC for further information and technical assistance.
On behalf of the participants Mr. Nickolay Rykov thanked the JODC for organizing the course and the IOC for providing them with an opportunity to take this training course.
Each of seven participants was awarded a certificate signed by the Secretary of the IOC and the Director of the JODC, indicating that they had successfully completed the training course.
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On 24 October 1997, the evaluation for the training course was also carried out with the participants and the lecturers by submission of the questionnaire. A summary of the evaluation was given below.
Accommodation, lecture conditions including facilities and classroom, assistance of the JODC staffs were evaluated as very good, excellent due to convenient place, advanced technology, scientific distribution and enthusiastic attitude.
One of the participants made comments that the period of the course was a little bit too short to cover more areas in detail. All participants did not have any problem in language and materials.
The participants felt that all lecture were quite useful for their office work. Especially quality control, J-DOSS, CSR and explanation of Realtime Mode Database (RTDB) for NEAR-GOOS were most helpful.
All participants mentioned that the study visits to the MIRC, the JMA and the JAMSTEC were very informative, and interesting and considered that the visits gave them a good opportunity to know how the marine science and technology developed in Japan and to understand a relationship between the JODC and other agencies.
The participants expected to improve their professional skill, to obtain necessary knowledge to participate in the IODE system, the operation of NEAR-GOOS and data management including quality control, and to become aware of the JODC, as well as the RNODC of WESTPAC.
Some participants made comment that the period of the course was a short to practice on PC and software. They expressed their satisfaction more than 90% on these points.
The participants expressed their hope that this training course would continue as long as possible because of very practical and informative course. They recommended that the training course should be expanded to do more practice on software including PC and to have discussion period for participants and staff on data management and various problems in dealing with various local agencies with regard to data exchange and oceanographic research cooperation. The participants also recommended that the JODC, with assistance of the IOC, should consider to support their activities for the necessary equipment and software to make data management as effective as the NODC.
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In conclusions, the training course was considered to have been a successful undertaking which had achieved, to a great extent, its objectives. The course provided the participants with opportunities to deepen their understanding of the importance of international oceanographic data exchange and the mechanism and the function of the IODE system and the operation of NEAR-GOOS, in particular, in the WESTPAC region. The participants who were responsible for oceanographic data management in their own countries were trained on management of the NODCs and became familiar with algorithms for manipulation of various kinds of data, including data quality control.
Furthermore, they had an opportunity to study operational reference service for users as data center.
In order to optimize the benefit of this training course in the future, the following observations may be made.
(i) The homogeneity of the participants in terms of knowledge, experience and interests in data management and computer is desirable for the success of training programs.
(ii) The participants for the fifteenth Training Course for WESTPAC had the basic knowledge on data management and PC because all of them came from the NODC or equivalent organization. More efforts may be made in selecting the candidates to best utilize the limited resources for the training course and to have most successful result.
(iii) The JODC has been making continual adjustments to the course programs since the beginning of the former course in 1982, and it seems to work well for the needs of the participants and for the requirement of oceanographic communities. This exercise should be maintained in the future and further improvement should be considered, including the strengthening of the practical exercises of data management using personal computers. This is now limited by time resources rather than other obstacles.
(iv) Important remark made during the course was that the eagerness for the participants to make each NODC active was really vital. The JODC offered continuous support to the graduated participants after the course.
In conclusion, it is expected that the training course will continue to play an important role in promoting activities of NODCs, or its equivalent, in each country, and to facilitate data exchange in the region and strengthen, on a global scale, the IODE system and the operation of NEAR-GOOS.
This Web site is maintained by the GOOS Project Office (GPO) at IOC.
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REPUBLIC OF KOREA
Mr. Jung-Hoon PARK
Researcher
Korea Oceanographic Data Center
Fisheries Oceanography Division
National Fisheries Research and Development Institute
Shirang-Ri, Kijang-Up, Kijang-Country, Pusan City
Korea
Phone : 051-720-2230
Fax. : 051-720-2225
E-mail: jhPark@haema.nfrda.re.kr
Mr. Shin-Ho CHOI
Senior officer in Navigational Publications Division
National Oceanographic Research Institute
Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
1- 17, Hang-Dong, Chung-Gu, INCHON 400-037
Korea
Phone : 032-885-3823
Fax. : 032-885-3829
E-mail: choish@WWW.nori.go.kr
Mr. Ki-Ryong KANG
Researcher
Meteorological Research Institute
Korea Meteorological Administration
2, Waryong-dong, Chongno-gu, Seoul, 110-360
Korea
Phone : 2-747-2616
Fax. : 2-747-2614
E-mail: krkang@iris.metri.re.kr
Mr. Sung-Dae KIM
Technical Researcher
Oceanographic Data & Information Center
Korean Ocean Research and Development Institute
Ansan P.O Box 29, Seoul 425-600
Korea
Phone : 0345-400-6472
Fax. : 0345-408-5820
E-mail: sdkimpsari.kordi.re.kr
Mr. Hyun-Woo CHOI
Technical Researcher
Oceanographic Data & Information Center
Korean Ocean Research and Development Institute
Ansan P.O Box 29, Seoul 425-600
Korea
Phone : 0345-400-6473
Fax. : 0345-408-5820
E-mail: kwchoi@sari.kordi.re.kr
RUSSIA
Dr. Nickolay RYKOV
Head, RODC
Regional Oceanographic Data Center
Far Eastern Regional Hydrometeorological Research Institute
24 Fontannaya Street, Vladivostok 690600
Russia
Phone : 423-2260954
Fax. : 423-2227754
E-mail: hydromet@online.ru
VIETNAM
Mr. Quang PHAN
Institute of Oceanography
1st CauDa Str. NHA TRANG
Vietnam
Phone : 84-58-882246
Fax. : 84-58-881152
Top of pageMonday, 13 October 1997
10:00-12:00 Opening Ceremony and Course Orientation
13:30-16:00 Lecture on Real Time Data Exchange
Tuesday, 14 October 1997
10:00-12:00 Country Report Introduction of Oceanographic Data Management in the
Participant Country
13:30-16:00 Lecture on WESTPAC and NEAR-GOOS
Wednesday, 15 October 1997
10:00-12:00 Lecture on Oceanographic Data Quality Control
13:30-16:00 Lecture on Serial Station Data Management Files, Archives, Products
Thursday, 16 October 1997
10:00-12:00 Lecture on Tidal Data Management Files, Archives, Products Exercise of data
processing in PC
13:30-16:00 Lecture on Ocean Current Data Management Files, Archives, Products Exercise of
data processing in PC
Friday, 17 October 1997
All Day Study Visit
Marine Information Research Center
Hydrographic Department, Maritime Safety Agency
Japan Meteorological Agency
Monday, 20 October 1997
10:00-12:00 Lecture on Tidal Current Data Management Files, Archives, Products Exercise of
data processing in PC
13:30-16:00 Lecture on IGOSS/BT Data Management Files, Archives, Products Exercise of data
processing in PC
Tuesday, 21 October 1997
All Day Study Visit
Japan Marine Science and Technology Center (JAMSTEC)
Wednesday, 22 October 1997
10:00-12:00 Lecture on Geographic Data Management in J-BIRD, MGD-77 and Software of GEODAS
13:30-16:00 External Oceanographic Data Base (J-DOSS) based on INTERNET
Internal Oceanographic Data Base (J-DARS)
Thursday, 23 October 1997
10:00-12:00 Lecture on Cruise Summary Report (CSR) Exercise of data processing in PC
13:30-16:00 Customized Special Study
Friday, 24 October 1997
10:00-12:00 Course Evaluations and Closing
EInstitute of Oceanography of Nhatrang Vietnam
EOceanographic Data Management in KORDI
ECountry Report for Oceanographic Data
Management (NORI)
EMarine Meteorological Observation System of the
KMA
ERussian Oceanographic Activities
ENational Fisheries Research & Development
Institute
<<Only hard copies are available. Please send a request to n.ichiyama@unesco.org>>
Top of page1st : 29 Mar. - 9 Apr. 1982 Republic of Korea,
Philippines, Thailand
2nd : 16 May - 28 May 1983 China, Indonesia, Malaysia
3rd : 4 Jun. - 16 Jun. 1984 China, Republic of Korea, Vietnam
4th : 2 Sep. - 14 Sep. 1985 China, Philippines, Vietnam
5th : 8 Sep. - 20 Sep. 1986 China, Republic of Korea, DPR of Korea Malaysia(2), Thailand
6th : 7 Sep. - 19 Sep. 1987 China, Philippines, Thailand
7th : 26 Sep. - 8 Oct. 1988 Republic of Korea, Thailand, Vietnam
8th : 25 Sep. - 7 Oct. 1989 China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand Republic of Korea
9th : 15 Oct. - 26 Oct. 1990 Indonesia, Repulic of Korea, Vietnam
10th : 24 Sep. - 9 Oct. 1991 Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand (2)
11th : 28 Sep. - 9 Oct. 1992 Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand
12th : 27 Sep. - 8 Oct. 1993 Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam
13th : 26 Sep. - 7 Oct. 1994 Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam
14th : 16 Oct. - 27 Oct. 1995 China, Indonesia, Malaysia
15th : 14 Oct. - 25 Oct. 1996 Philippines, Thailand
16th : 13 Oct. - 24 Oct. 1997 Republic of Korea (5), Russia, Vietnam
Mr. Yoshio Shimizu Japan Oceanographic Data Center (Course
Organizer)
Mr. Eiji Mukainaka Japan Oceanographic Data Center (Course Coordinator)
Mr. Yutaka Michida Japan Oceanographic Data Center
Mr. Minoru Tsunemasa Japan Oceanographic Data Center
Mr. Takeharu Miyake Japan Oceanographic Data Center
Mr. Norio Baba Japan Oceanographic Data Center
Mr. Hideki Nakazato Japan Oceanographic Data Center
Mr. Naohisa Yoza Japan Oceanographic Data Center
Mr. Tomonori Miura Japan Oceanographic Data Center
Mr. Takuro Nakamura Japan Oceanographic Data Center
Dr. Minoru Odamaki Japan Hydrographic Department
Mr. Satoshi Sato Japan Hydrographic Department
Mr. Hiroyuki Yoritaka Japan Hydrographic Department
Dr. Keisuke Taira Institute of Oceanography, University of Tokyo
Mr. Naoyuki Hasegawa Japan Meteolorogy Agency
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