(Top of page)

GENERAL SUMMARY OF THE MEETING

1.

OPENING

1.1	Opening of the meeting

The first joint WMO/IOC Implementation Planning Meeting for the Western Indian Ocean Marine Applications Project (WIOMAP) opened at 1000 hrs on Tuesday 20 May 1997 in the conference room of the Hotel El Monaco, Quatre Bornes, Mauritius. The Director of the Mauritius Meteorological Services, Mr R.R. Vaghjee, welcomed participants to the meeting and to Mauritius. He noted the special significance of the meeting, both in bringing together the meteorological and oceanographic communities in the region, and also in helping to further the concept of regional cooperation to enhance mutual capabilities in marine services. He then underlined the already extensive experience and ongoing activities of the Mauritius Meteorological Services in marine data collection, the preparation of marine products and the provision of a range of marine services, and emphasised the existing extensive cooperation in Mauritius between meteorologists and oceanographers. Mr Vaghjee continued by recognizing the vital need to enhance marine observing networks, data management and communications facilities, modelling and product preparation capabilities, and specialized education and training facilities in the region, ulitmately to suport a wide range of users, local, regional and global. He concluded by thanking the Government of Mauritius for their continuing support for the meteorological services and for the international activities of WMO and IOC, and wished participants a successful meeting and an enjoyable stay in Mauritius. He then introduced the WMO Secretariat Representative.

The representative of the WMO Secretariat welcomed participants to the meeting, on behalf of the Secretary-General of WMO, Professor G.O.P. Obasi, and the Executive Secretary IOC, Dr G. Kullenberg, and expressed the considerable appreciation of both Organizations to the Government of Mauritius and in particular the Mauritius Meteorological Services for hosting the meeting and providing such excellent facilities and support. In doing so, he noted with appreciation the already key role which Mauritius was playing, specifically through the work of the Mauritius Meteorological Services, in providing essential meteorological and oceanographic data and services in support of the safety of life at sea over a large part of the Indian Ocean and in the provision of data and services in support of environmental protection and sound environmental management.

The WMO Secretariat representative then noted the increasingly well-defined requirements of global programmes such as GOOS and GCOS for routine, good quality ocean data, including from the western Indian Ocean region, as well as the requirements of many regional marine user communities for both data and services on an operational basis. At the same time, the capabilities of institutions and agencies in many countries in the region, both meteorological and oceanographic, to provide such information were limited. Experience in other regions had shown that a regional cooperative project, involving both communities in several countries, was a cost-effective way of developing these capabilities to a level which could not be achieved if agencies and even countries acted alone.

The WMO Secretariat representative indicated that the objective of the present meeting was to explore the interest in and possibilities for such a project in the eastern and southern African region, to eventually define a project outline and specific objectives, and to agree on procedures for its further development. He continued by noting that long-term specialized training capabilities in the region would be essential to the future success of the project, and in this context urged the meeting to carefully re-examine the long-standing but hitherto unimplemented WMO/IOC project for a diploma course in marine meteorology and physical oceanography at RMTC Nairobi. He concluded by wishing participants a successful meeting and an eventually successful project.

The Director of the Mauritius Meteorological Services, Mr R.R. Vaghjee, then introduced the Honourable D. Bhima, Minister of State, Prime Minister's Office, Mauritius.

The Honourable Bhima also welcomed participants on behalf of the Government of Mauritius, and indicated the honour for his country in being able to host the present meeting. He emphasised the importance of the oceans, ocean resources and the marine environment to Mauritius, and in this context recognized the potential value of the present meeting to his country as well as to the whole region. He continued by noting the already active participation of Mauritius in the global and regional programmes of WMO and IOC, and reiterated the importance of regional cooperation in furthering the interests and capabilities of all countries in the south western Indian Ocean and southern African area. In this context he fully endorsed the objectives of the present meeting, including the possible future establishment of a specialized marine centre in the region.

The Honourable Bhima continued by noting the multi-disciplinary nature of the Mauritian participation in the meeting, and reiterated the absolute need for such a multi-disciplinary approach to the solution of pressing environmental problems. He reaffirmed the interest and committment of the Mauritian Government to marine activities and marine science. He concluded by formally declaring the meeting open and wishing participants a very successful meeting.

The list of participants in the meeting is in Annex I.

1.2	Election of the chairman

The meeting elected Mr S. Ragoonaden (Mauritius) as its chairman for the duration of the meeting.

1.3	Adoption of the agenda

The meeting agreed its agenda, which is given in Annex II.

1.4	Working arrangements

The meeting agreed its hours of work and other necessary arrangements for the session. The documents were introduced by the Secretariat.

2.	STATUS REVIEW

2.1	Observing networks

On the basis of the results of a survey questionnaire distributed in advance of the meeting, together with information provided by participants, the meeting reviewed the present status of marine observing networks and other marine data collection activities of agencies and institutions in the region. The detailed completed questionnaires are given in Annex III, and a summary of the status of marine observations is in Annex IV. Several discrepancies and inconsistencies were noted in the completed questionnaires, and it was therefore agreed to redesign and redistribute the questionnaire, with more explanations and seeking extra information. This is discussed further under agenda item 3.2. It was recognized from the information available that, while routine, operational marine observations by countries in the region were very limited, there was, nevertheless, extensive, non-routine data collection taking place for a variety of reasons, the details of which were largely unknown to agencies other than those doing the actual observations. In this context, the results of the survey were regarded as a valuable resource, and the Secretariat was therefore requested to compile the detailed information into an appropriate data base format, and to make this available to participants and other potentially interested institutions in the region.

2.2	Communications

The meeting noted the present status of both the Global Telecommunications System (GTS) and the Meteorological Data Distribution (MDD) system (operated through Meteosat) in the region. This is summarised in Annex V. It recognized that these systems were likely to remain inadequate for the distribution of marine data and products within the context of any regional project, and agreed that the extended use of Internet should be an integral part of future project development.

2.3

Services

The meeting reviewed the status of existing marine services in the region, on the basis of a presession survey and information presented during the session. The detailed results of the survey, together with a summary table, are given in Annex VI. It was noted that a substantial array of marine services already existed in the region, but that they were limited by lack of data and modelling capabilities.

2.4	Global and regional systems

The meeting noted a presentation by the Secretariat of the present status of global observing networks, established and maintained in support of the WWW of WMO as well as programmes such as IGOSS, GOOS, GCOS and the WCRP. A summary of this is given in Annex VII, focussed in particular on the western Indian Ocean. It expressed concern at the clear inadequacy of basic marine data ( such as ship and buoy reports) availability at national meteorological centres in the region compared with that at global centres, and requested the Secretariat to undertake a detailed study of the problem, with a view to identifying and remedying identified faults in the distribution system.

(Top of page)

3.	REQUIREMENTS FOR DATA AND SERVICES

3.1	Global programmes

The meeting noted the already expressed requirements of the WWW of WMO for surface marine data, as given in Annex VIII. It recognised that data requirements for the common ocean climate module of GOOS and GCOS were now being articulated (by the Ocean Observations Panel for Climate, OOPC), but were likely to be similar to those for the WWW, at least for the basic variables such as atmospheric pressure, temperature and SST. It further noted the present status of global observing systems in the context of these requirements, as summarised in Annex IX, and recognised the substantial existing inadequacies of data availability, which was, in general, less than 50% for pressure and SST in the western Indian Ocean region.

3.2	Regional and national

The meeting reviewed requirements of marine users for data and products at the regional and national level, as summarised in Annex X. It considered that a detailed analysis of regional user requirements for marine data and products was absolutely essential to the success of any future regional marine project, since the necessary enhancements of marine observation networks, communications and data management and processing capabilities could only be undertaken in the context of real and clearly enunciated users and user requirements. The meeting therefore agreed that a detailed tabular assessment of these requirements should eventually be prepared, in advance of any future project planning meeting and as an essential component of project documentation. A revised survey structure was prepared for this purpose, and is given in Annex XI. The meeting agreed that the initial contact points for the distribution of the questionnaire and the compilation of national input would be participants in the present meeting.

4.	PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

In addressing the development of a possible regional project for marine services enhancement, the meeting noted with interest the history, development and structure of the South East Asian Centre for Atmospheric and Marine Prediction (SEACAMP) project in the south-east Asian region. While recognizing the many differences between the two regions, it nevertheless considered that SEACAMP provided at least a guide to what might be achieved in the western Indian Ocean. It then noted that three fundamental questions needed to be answered:

• Is a regional project required and realizable?
• If so, how should it be conceived?
• What are the overall project objectives?

Based on the analyses and discussion under preceding agenda items, the meeting strongly agreed on the need for such a regional project, as a cooperative venture to enhance the provision of services in support of a diversity of national, regional and global users, based on improved marine data collection and exchange, data management and modelling. The concept of a specialized marine modelling and product preparation centre was noted as being relevant to the project, perhaps with various regional marine centres coexisting as part of a distributed data management and processing concept. The meeting clearly recognized that the project had ultimately to be self-sustaining, and specifically directed to satisfying user requirements for data, products and services. In this context, the need for a more extensive and analytical survey of such requirements was agreed, as well as a detailed assessment of existing data sources and accessibility. Finally, the meeting emphasised that a specialized training capability was also an essential element for the success of the project.

On the basis of these and other considerations, the meeting agreed on the basic concept of the project, expressed as an overall purpose, fundamental objectives and generalized activities. These are given in Annex XII. The meeting also discussed and adopted a broad project framework as given in Annex XIII.

With regard to eventual external funding for project development and establishment, the meeting recognized the need first to develop a short project brief, which would be the basis for fostering interest among potential donors in the project concept, and obtaining initial funding to undertake the detailed survey and prepare the full project proposal. It also agreed that the eventual project formulation should be closely aligned to donor agency funding strategies.

The meeting recognized that existing marine programme activities in the western Indian Ocean region were highly relevant to the present project. These included in particular the RECOSCIX-WIO project (see Annex XIV for a summary), programmes carried out by ORSTOM (GAO data base, satellite survey at SEAS station in La Reunion), and the network of National Oceanographic Data Centres being developed under IOC/IODE. These were both concerned essentially with delayed mode data exchange and management, and it was important that the project made use of these existing facilities, capabilities and networks to the extent possible. In addition, it noted that a number of reports and analyses relating to marine science capabilities in the region already existed, and should be taken into account when preparing the detailed project proposal.

Finally on this agenda item, the meeting agreed strongly that the project represented a major contribution to the implementaton of GOOS in the region, and that this should be emphasised in all project documentation. In this context, it noted the existence of the report of the IOC sponsored Okemwa/Stel mission, relating to the accelerated implementation of GOOS in the east African region, and considered that the present proposal was directly in line with the thrusts of this report.

(Top of page)

5.	SPECIALIZED EDUCATION AND TRAINING

The meeting noted with regret that the long-standing WMO/IOC project proposal for a long-term post- graduate diploma course in marine meteorology and physical oceanography at the WMO RMTC in Nairobi remained unfunded and therefore unimplemented. At the same time, it recognized the inherent difficulties in attracting external support for such a purely residential course concept, despite its evident desirability, as well as the extensive developments now taking place in many parts of the world in the use of distance learning techniques such as Computer Assisted Learning (using CD-ROMs or the Internet) for higher level and specialized training. In this context, it noted that CAL techniques were already employed successfully by WMO, IOC and the University of Cape Town, in particular, in conducting various types of training in meteorology and oceanography.

The meeting the noted with interest a concept proposal prepared by COMET/UCAR/USA, for the reformulation of the proposed Nairobi course on the basis of a CAL module on marine meteorology, developed by COMET and used already as a component of a WMO workshop series on wave modelling and forecasting. This concept proposal is given in Annex XV. The meeting supported the concept in a general sense, and agreed that the Nairobi course proposal should be reformulated along the lines proposed, making extensive use of modern learning techniques such as CAL. It noted that many countries in the region presently had inadequate computing and communication facilities to make use of CAL, but recognized that donor agencies were more likely to fund the acquisition of such facilities in the context of a sustainable CAL-based course, than to fund the conduct of a fully residential course indefinitely. The meeting therefore agreed that the concept should be further developed, and a detailed course proposal prepared by WMO/COMET, in consultation and close collaboration with experts from the region. Professor G. Brundrit (South Africa) and Mr J.Muhoro (Kenya) agreed to participate in this development activity. The need to gather information on existing facilities in countries in the region relevant to CAL, as part of the overall project survey, was agreed.

The meeting agreed that the long-term specialized training in the region, which was being addressed in this proposal, was directly relevant and essential to the future success of the overall (SEAMAP) project, in providing personnel with the right academic background to participate and contribute at both the regional and national level. At the same time, it was recognized that any future regional modelling centre would itself have an important training function, in providing on-the-job training, within an operational environment and in the specialized activities of the centre, to experts seconded there for certain periods by participating agencies. In this context, such training would be entirely complementary to that to be offered by the planned Nairobi course.

(Top of page)

6.	FUTURE ACTIVITIES

On the basis of the discussions and agreements reached under preceding agenda items, the meeting adopted a workplan and timetable for the further development of the project, including the project brief, survey missions, detailed project documentation and the long-term training project. This workplan and timetable is given in Annex XVI. The meeting recognized the need to maintain close regional involvement in the implementation of this workplan and therefore requested the chairman to coordinate this involvement, including the maintenance of close liaison with the Secretariats.

7.

CLOSURE

The chairman, Mr S. Ragoonaden, thanked all participants for their excellent cooperation and interactions, which had contributed to a very successful meeting. He noted with pleasure the positive final results, including the general agreement reached on project objectives and outline. He thanked the Director of the Mauritius Meteorological Services for the full support he had given to the project concept and to the meeting. He also thanked the local secretariat staff and the WMO representatives for their valuable support, and concluded by wishing participants an enjoyable remainder of their stay in Mauritius and a safe journey home.

The Director, Mauritius Meteorological Services, Mr R.R. Vaghjee, expressed his pleasure at the success of the meeting, which was also an important demonstration of what could be achieved through cooperation between meteorologists and oceanograpers on matters on mutual interest. He reiterated his pleasure at being able to host the meeting in Mauritius, which had greatly facilitated cooperation and the development of contacts, nationally and regionally. He thanked the Secretary-General of WMO and the Executive Secretary IOC for supporting the project proposal and the meeting and for bring the meeting to Mauritius. He concluded by thanking all participants for their contributions and looked forward to continued interactions in the future as the project developed.

The first joint WMO/IOC Implementation Planning Meeting for WIOMAP closed at 1530 hours on Thursday 22 May 1997.

(Top of page)

---

List of acronyms

CAL	Computer Assisted Learning
COMET	Cooperative Programme for Operational Meteorology, Education and Training (USA)
CSIRO	Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (Australia)
GCOS	Global Climate Observing System (WMO, IOC, UNEP, ICSU)
GLOSS	Global Sea-Level Observing System (IOC)
GMDSS	Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (IMO)
GOOS	Global Ocean Observing System (IOC, WMO, UNEP, ICSU)
GTS	Global Telecommunications System (WMO)
IGOSS	Integrated Global Ocean Services System (IOC/WMO)
INMARSAT	International Mobile Satellite Organization
IOC	Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (of UNESCO)
IODE	International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IOC)
IPM	Implementation Planning Meeting
MDD	Meteorological Data Distribution System (WMO)
OOPC	Ocean Observations Panel for Climate (GOOS/GCOS/WCRP)
ORSTOM	Institut fran‡ais de recherche scientifique pour le d‚veloppement en coop‚ration
RECOSCIX-WIO	Regional Cooperation in Scientific Information Exchange in the Western Indian Ocean Region
RMTC	Regional Meteorological Training Centre (WMO)
SADCO	Southern African Data Centre for Oceanography
SEACAMP	South East Asian Centre for Atmospheric and Marine Prediction project (WMO/IOC)
SST	Sea Surface Temperature
TOGA	Tropical Ocean and Global Atmosphere (of WCRP)
UCAR	University Corporation for Atmospheric Research (USA)
UNESCO	United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization
WCRP	World Climate Research Programme (WMO, IOC, ICSU)
WIOMAP	Western Indian Ocean Marine Applications Project
WMO	World Meteorological Organization
WWW	World Weather Watch (WMO)