Published September 25, 2018
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Linking capacity development to GOOS monitoring networks to achieve sustained ocean observation

Creators

  • 1. Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
  • 2. University of Tasmania
  • 3. UNESCO
  • 4. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
  • 5. Smithsonian Institution
  • 6. University of Wollongong
  • 7. University of the South Pacific
  • 8. Simón Bolívar University
  • 9. University of South Florida
  • 10. Marine Mammal Commission, United States
  • 11. University of California, San Diego
  • 12. SAFHOS, Canada
  • 13. University of Pisa
  • 14. Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology
  • 15. Australian Institute of Marine Science
  • 16. University of California, Santa Cruz
  • 17. Institut de recherche pour le développement
  • 18. University of Montpellier
  • 19. University of Cape Town
  • 20. Coastal Oceans Research and Development in the Indian Ocean, Kenya
  • 21. Leibniz Institute of Marine Sciences
  • 22. Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres
  • 23. Rutgers University

Description

Developing enduring capacity to monitor ocean life requires investing in people and their institutions to build infrastructure, ownership, and long-term support networks. International initiatives can enhance access to scientific data, tools and methodologies, and develop local expertise to use them, but without ongoing engagement may fail to have lasting benefit. Linking capacity development and technology transfer to sustained ocean monitoring is a win-win proposition. Trained local experts will benefit from joining global communities of experts who are building the comprehensive Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). This two-way exchange will benefit scientists and policy makers in developing and developed countries. The first step toward the GOOS is complete: identification of an initial set of biological Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) that incorporate the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Essential Biological Variables (EBVs), and link to the physical and biogeochemical EOVs. EOVs provide a globally consistent approach to monitoring where the costs of monitoring oceans can be shared and where capacity and expertise can be transferred globally. Integrating monitoring with existing international reporting and policy development connects ocean observations with agreements underlying many countries' commitments and obligations, including under SDG 14, thus catalyzing progress toward sustained use of the ocean. Combining scientific expertise with international capacity development initiatives can help meet the need of developing countries to engage in the agreed United Nations (UN) initiatives including new negotiations for the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction, and the needs of the global community to understand how the ocean is changing.
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