ICES IGWG REPORT Report of the ICES GOOS Working Group (IGWG) April 2010 Woods Hole, MA, USA

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1 ICES IGWG REPORT 2010 SCICOM STEERING GROUP ON ECOSYSTEM SURVEYS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY ICES CM 2010/SSGESST:18 REF. SCICOM, ACOM Report of the ICES GOOS Working Group (IGWG) April 2010 Woods Hole, MA, USA

2 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea Conseil International pour l Exploration de la Mer H. C. Andersens Boulevard DK 1553 Copenhagen V Denmark Telephone (+45) Telefax (+45) info@ices.dk Recommended format for purposes of citation: ICES Report of the ICES GOOS Working Group (IGWG), April 2010, Woods Hole, MA, USA. ICES CM 2010/SSGESST: pp. For permission to reproduce material from this publication, please apply to the General Secretary. The document is a report of an Expert Group under the auspices of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea and does not necessarily represent the views of the Council International Council for the Exploration of the Sea

3 ICES IGWG REPORT 2010 i Contents Executive summary Opening of the meeting Adoption of the agenda ToR (a) Identify and improve the global and regional linkages between ICES and GOOS bodies: ToR (b) Identify and steer the development of components and activities of ICES contributing to GOOS, as well as GOOS products relevant to ICES: ToR (c) Identify and steer the development of appropriate outreach activities to disseminate information about ICES and GOOS and to articulate the benefits of taking a GOOS approach in the ICES context:... 8 Annex 1: List of participants Annex 2: Agenda Annex 3: IGWG terms of reference for the next meeting Annex 4: Recommendations... 15

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5 ICES IGWG REPORT Executive summary The ICES GOOS Working Group (IGSG), chaired by J. Hare, USA, met in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA from April Three IGWG members participated from two countries; in addition two members participated by correspondence. An observer from PICES and from two US ocean observing activities also participated. The second day of the IGWG was held jointly with the Working Group on the Northwest Atlantic Regional Sea. The purpose of this joint meeting was to increase the interaction between ocean observing activities in the western North Atlantic. During the first day of the IGWG, the overall structure of GOOS and Regional Alliances was discussed and a variety of activities across the Atlantic were presented. The report is structured by Terms of Reference followed by a last section of Other Business. In addition to the standard Annexes (Participants, agendas, ToR, and recommendations), descriptions of regional activities are also included. ICES can serve a vital role in guiding ocean observing in the North Atlantic because of its long history in using observations to develop products with the purpose of informing managers. However, members of the IGWG believe that the IGWG is not the appropriate WG for this task. The ToRs are too vague and dependent on interaction from GOOS. The IGWG proposes ending the current WG and forming a new WG that is focused on cross-basin observing. This new WG would integrate between ICES, BASIN, the WGNARS, and other ICES WGs. The products of the WG would be of more use to the ICES community, while still developing and promoting ICES s role in GOOS.

6 2 ICES IGWG REPORT Opening of the meeting The ICES GOOS Working Group (IGWG) meeting was held in held in Woods Hole, Massachusetts at the Marine Biological Laboratory and was hosted by J. Hare (USA). The IGWG met independently on 20 April 2010 and met jointly with the Working Group on the Northwest Atlantic Regional Sea (WGNARS) on 21 April. Only six people attended the meeting, including the host, a representative of PICES, and two observers (see Annex 1). Two others participated via correspondence. J. Hare opened the meeting with a welcome to Woods Hole and a review of the agenda. A general discussion of the goals of the meeting followed and the group discussed the relationship between ICES and GOOS. Then regional presentations of ocean observing activities were given followed by a specific focus on the ToRs. 2 Adoption of the agenda The proposed agenda was approved (Annex 2) and J. Hare acted as rapporteur for the first day of the IGWG meeting. A full description of the second day of the IGWG meeting is contained within the 2010 WGNARS Report 1. 3 ToR (a) Identify and improve the global and regional linkages between ICES and GOOS bodies: To improve linkages between ICES and GOOS, the WG considered current GOOS activities and current ICES activities. The activities covered were GOOS, EuroGOOS, and US GOOS. GOOS The activities of the GOOS were reviewed via correspondence from Thorkild Aarup on behalf of Keith Alverson, Director of the GOOS Project Office. GOOS is guided by two governing bodies the GOOS Scientific and Technical Steering Committee (GSSC) which provides technical advice to the Intergovernmental GOOS Committee (I-GOOS) which has the ultimate governmental oversight of implementation. For the next 1 3 years GOOS will be focused on making progress in accordance with the implementation plans: (i) for the open ocean component, the plan and aims are laid out in the updated GCOS Implementation Plan (2010) and (ii) for the coastal module, the Panel for Integrated Coastal Observation (PICO) is expected to deliver an Action Plan for Implementation. Implementing GOOS in the coastal zone will rely on national GOOS programmes, GOOS Regional Alliances, regional fisheries bodies, regional seas convention programmes, and Large Marine Ecosystem projects. The coastal module of GOOS and its associated scientific advisory panels PICO (in existence from 2008 and onwards) and the Coastal Ocean Observation Panel (COOP in existence from ) have long recognized the importance of the ICES and PICES community and the observing network they offer. The need to include biogeochemical observations in the open ocean component of GOOS may also lead to increased collaboration with organizations like ICES and PICES. 1

7 ICES IGWG REPORT For the next decade the challenge will be to transform GOOS to a system that serves a broad suite of users interested in societal benefits in the context of climate change adaptation and mitigation. Over the next decade GOOS will also need to move from being primarily a physical oceanographic system, to one that incorporates biological and biogeochemical ocean state and stresses. Selected References Ocean Obs 09 conference: Conference statement and position papers (see ) GOOS A summary for policy-makers Update of the GCOS Implementation Plan in support of the UNFCCC ( ) See also < EUROGOOS The activities of the EUROGOOS were reviewed by Hans Dahlin, EuroGOOS Director. The relationships between GOOS and GOOS Regional Alliances (GRA) were summarized using EUROGOOS as an example. The GRAs identify needs and gaps in the region, promote regional ocean observations and services, initiate under-pinning R&D, coordinate multinational observing and services systems, and enter into various regional commitments and agreements. Based on this summary, common activities of all regional-goos efforts were identified: 1) Sustained observations, 2) Implementation projects, 3) R&D and pilot projects, and 4) Data Management. Within the European context funding is available for data management, pilot projects and implementation projects. However, funding for sustained operations is much more limited, yet these are the activities that are necessary for the long-term success of GOOS and of GRAs. The next GRA Forum will precede the 6th EuroGOOS Conference on Operational Oceanography on 5 October 2011 in Sopot, Poland. The agenda includes: State of development in GRAs, Up-date Implementation Strategy, First implementation plan, joint project proposal(s), and exchange between GRAs. US IOOS The Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) is the US contribution to GOOS. IOOS is a federal, regional, and private-sector partnership working to enhance our ability to collect, deliver, and use ocean information. IOOS delivers the data and information needed to increase understanding of our oceans and coasts, so decisionmakers can take action to improve safety, enhance the economy, and protect the environment. Various IOOS activities were covered in detailed during the WGNARS meeting and more information can be found in the WGNARS report (see footnote 1).

8 4 ICES IGWG REPORT ToR (b) Identify and steer the development of components and activities of ICES contributing to GOOS, as well as GOOS products relevant to ICES: GKSS Contribution to ICES-GOOS Working Group Franciscus Colijn reported on the GKSS Ocean observing activities via correspondence COSYNA The GKSS Research Centre is building together with partners from AWI, universities and monitoring authorities a coastal observation network for the southeastern part of the North Sea (COSYNA=Coastal Observation System for Northern and Arctic Seas). It is a combination of in situ observing modules, remote sensing and numerical models. At present, the observation modules comprise fixed platforms/piles, FerryBoxes, and coastal HF radar. In the very near future, additional systems, i.e. gliders, bottom systems for near sediment investigations and an underwater node will be included. In modelling, suitable data assimilation schemes and a new ecological model are under development. More information at: FerryBox The GKSS FerryBox has been developed 10 years ago. In contrast to many other systems it is highly automated and includes an automated cleaning and antifouling system that minimizes maintenance. Data from sensors for T, Sal, turbidity, oxygen, chlorophyll, ph, algal groups, NH4, NO3, o-po4, SiO4 and pco2 are recorded and transmitted to shore via cellular phone. An automated sensor for alkalinity+precision ph (optical) is under development. The applicability of FerryBoxes for different scientific questions and for monitoring purposes was proven during the European project FerryBox ( ). The European FerryBox Community, mainly the participants of the project but also some new members, meets for a workshop once a year to exchange information. More information at: JERICO In autumn GKSS participated in the European project application JERICO (=Towards a Joint European Research Infrastructure Network for Coastal Observatories) with 26 participants from 16 countries. The aim of JERICO is to create a network (or an alliance) at the European level in order to coordinate activities and products, to share experiences, to exchange best practices, to build a solid and transparent organization towards an operational service for the timely, continuous and sustainable delivery of high quality environmental data and information products related to the marine environment of European s coastal seas. The evaluation process has been successful, and therefore the chance of funding is good.

9 ICES IGWG REPORT Spanish ICES-GOOS related activities Alicia Lavín Montero reported on Spanish ocean observing activities via correspondence Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO) Activities VACLAN (Variabilidad Climática en el Atlántico Norte) ( The objective of the program is to study decadal changes in the thermohaline properties of water masses in the N. Atlantic Iberian Basin and their connection with NAO and to observe climate change and its relationship to the water, heat and CO2 fluxes, water mass subduction and upwelling index variability. This project utilizes several different observing systems including oceanographic sections sampled every 6 months, where standard variables are measured and water samples for O2, nutrients and CO2 analysed for the whole water column; current meter moorings; and a bimonthly fixed station (MINAS Multidisciplinary Iberian North Atlantic Station- 43ºN, 11ºW). Water mass analysis, an Inverse box model for flux calculations, and numerical models are run in association with the observations. There is also an ODAS buoy (waves, meteo, conduc., temper., ph, O2, fluor.) moored at 43º 50 N, 3º 47 W, 22 nm north of Cabo Mayor. ( During 2009 in collaboration with the Proudman Observatory of Liverpool, four Bottom Pressure Systems were moored in the North Atlantic Western Boundary at Finisterre and Santander shelf break. RAPROCAN (RAdial PROfunda de CANarias) ( The main objective is to systematize a deep ocean time-series section north of the Canary Island to study the variability of the Subtropical Gyre and water masses in the Canary basin and to understand the mechanisms of heat transport in the N. Atlantic. The section is carried out in February and September along 29ºN from Lanzarote channel to La Palma west. Standard hydrographical sampling is performed in the entire water column, complemented by a current meter mooring. RADIALES. ( The Radiales project collects oceanographic time-series data based on systematic and prolonged sampling, making interdisciplinary (physical, chemical, biological) observations in the ocean. The frequency of sampling is set to depict the oceanographic events occurring at different seasonal and interannual scales and to let us to distinguish between the different sources of temporal variability. As part of the in situ sampling programme, regular observations are performed, mainly on a monthly basis, along 8 transects located offshore of Santander, Gijón, Cudillero, A Coruña and Vigo as well as during specific cruises focused on the study of particular oceanographic processes of recognized relevance. In the A Coruña estuary the benthic communities are also sampled. The Radiales project is funded mainly with IEO funds but also has non-core funding to carry out specific scientific activities coordinated under the project. The project provides data for the ICES database and annual summary status reports are presented to the Working Groups in the Oceanographic Committees of ICES.

10 6 ICES IGWG REPORT 2010 TIDE GAUGE NETWORK. Established in 1943, 12 stations are distributed among the mainland, archipelagos and Ceuta (N. Africa). Stations are in the process of being substituted by radar. Data are sent by modem? and disseminated through in the box mareas. This network is integrated in GLOSS. Puertos del Estado. One of the roles of the organization is monitoring the physical environment affecting the Ports. Work is carried out by Área de Medio Físico department (Physical Environment Department). The data are? distributed mainly via web page ( under the link Oceanography and Meteorology. The Área de Medio Físico develops three main areas of activities: A) Puertos del Estado operates the following networks The deep-sea buoy network is based on 14 Seawatch and 3 WaveScan buoy stations. The instruments are located at points with depths between 200 and 800 m and measure atmospheric and oceanographic parameters. Measurements are transmitted every hour via satellite to Puertos del Estado and directly posted to the web. The Coastal buoy Network provides real time at several shallow-water locations. The main objective of the measurements is to complement those of the Deep Sea Network at those locations of special interest for the port operations or wave modelling validation. The buoys employed are scalar Waverider and directional Tryaxis. The main objective of the Current meter Network is to obtain oceanographic measurements (currents, temperature and salinity) complementing those of the Deep Sea Network. The network is based on two current meter chains, consisting in several RCM7 recorders located at different depths until 300m. No real time data are available. The REDMAR tide gauge network has been in operation since The objective is real time monitoring of sea level and generation of historical series for further study. At this moment the network is composed of Radar, acoustic and pressure sensors. In the near future, all the sensors will be of the radar type. Radar HF installed between Finisterre and Cape Silleiro by Puertos del Estado in collaboration with other institutions. B) The following forecasting systems are available online: The Storm Surge forecast system (Nivmar) is a group of applications designed to provide a forecast of the sea levels in the Spanish coast based on wind and pressure parameters provided by the Agencia Nacional de Meteorología ( The system is based on the ocean circulation HAMSOM model and on the harmonical prediction of tides computed from data measured by the Puertos del Estado tide gauge network. The forecast horizon is 72 hours. Forecast of Astronomic Tide for any date selected by the user. The results are derived from data obtained after analysis of the measurements recorded by the REDMAR tide gauges network.

11 ICES IGWG REPORT The Wave Forecast System (Sistema de Predicción de Oleaje (SPO)) is the result of the works developed in the field of the wave models and fulfils a need of the Port Authorities to have a planning and management system for their port activities. The system is based on a version of the WAM code. Users can access this service through the Agencia Nacional de Meteorología web page. The circulation forecast system developed in ESEOO project and nested into MERSEA models, Puertos maintains current forecast for the Iberian Atlantic waters, the Canary Islands and The Western Med Sea (being the last a joint product with IMEDEA). Results can be found at C) The databank stores all the data generated by the models and the networks. It can be accessed online and the user can create statistics following adjustable criteria. AZTI_TECNALIA ( and Euskalmet ( Since 2003 AZTI has been running 6 coastal stations ( and 6 tide gauges in collaboration with Euskalmet along the Basque coast. In buoys were moored by Euskalmet about 10 miles from the coast in 500 m depth. Since 2008, 2 radar (HF, 5MHz) stations are working at capes Matxitxako and Higuer. AZTI is running 2 hydrodynamic models (ROMs y TRIMODENA) and one on contaminant dispersion that covers the entire Basque coast. They are also working on setting up a service for giving current data to Bilbo and Pasaia Harbours users ( Meteogalicia ( Meteogalicia has installed 3 oceano-meteorological buoys in western Galicia and is running different meteorological models. In the Portugal-Galicia INTERREG RAIA project ( new oceanmeteorological real time transmitting buoys will be developed along the coast close to the Portuguese-Spanish border in the Iberian shelf with some oceanographic group participants from both countries. Instituto Canario de Ciencias del Mar ( ESTOC (European Station for Time series in the Ocean) (:29.04N, W; 3670m) was established in 1994 about 100 km north of the Canary Islands. Its goal is to create a long time-series on an inter- and multidisciplinary basis in order to monitor and help understanding oceanic long-term variability of the North Atlantic's subtropical gyre in conjunction with the Bermuda station BATS. Long-term observations at ESTOC represent open-ocean eastern subtropical North Atlantic conditions and variability. It is a partner of EuroSITES. ACOMAR Network is an initiative of the Canary autonomous government with a diverse partnership. It consists of several buoys distributed among the islands of the Macaronesia region (Azores, Madeira, Canaries and Cape Verde) and the neighbouring African coast. They measure different oceanographic variables and hydrocarbons. The control centre is at the ICCM (

12 8 ICES IGWG REPORT 2010 The Spanish and Canary autonomous government have also approved the constitution of a new Scientific Large Infrastructure for marine research for the Canary Islands Oceanic Platform (PLOCAN). Similar initiatives are ongoing in the Balearic Islands as well as in Asturias. US and Canadian North Atlantic ICES/GOOS Activities Various activities were covered in detailed during the WGNARS meeting and more information can be found in the WGNARS report (see footnote 1). PICES MONITOR Committee North Pacific Activities Phillip Mundy, the Co-Chair of the PICES MONITOR Committee summarized PICES activities relative to GOOS. The North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES) will have its 2010 Annual Meeting from October 22 31, 2010, at the Oregon Convention Center, Portland, Oregon, USA. A joint ICES-PICES Theme Session on ocean observing will be held (see below). FUTURE (Forecasting and Understanding Trends, Uncertainty and Responses of North Pacific Marine Ecosystems) is a program established with PICES that will address three key questions: (1) What determines an ecosystem s intrinsic resilience and vulnerability to natural and anthropogenic forcing?; (2) How do ecosystems respond to natural and anthropogenic forcing, and how might they change in the future?; (3) How do human activities affect coastal ecosystems and how are societies affected by changes in these ecosystems? One activity of the FUTURE program and the MONITOR committee are cross-pacific CPR transects. These activities are coordinated with SAHFOS and progress was reviewed. 5 ToR (c) Identify and steer the development of appropriate outreach activities to disseminate information about ICES and GOOS and to articulate the benefits of taking a GOOS approach in the ICES context: 2010 ICES ASC Theme Session No theme session was proposed by the IGWG for the 2010 ICES ASC. A theme session was discussed at the 2009 IGWG. Several other WG s were contacted about possibly co-hosting a meeting, but in the end, there was not enough interest in a general observing Theme Session, so no proposal went forward PICES Annual Meeting A jointly sponsored session will be held the 2010 PICES Annual Meeting in Portland, Oregon. The session is entitled Development and use of ocean observing and forecasting systems in coastal and marine management. The ICES Keynote speaker will be Glenn Nolan from the Working Group on Oceanic Hydrography ICES ASC Theme Session During the 2010 meeting, the IGWG again discussed a potential Theme Session for the 2011 ICES ASC. The idea was to have a session on Cross-Basin observing. The Theme Session would support the EU BASIN program and would help make cross- Basin contacts. The Theme Session would also serve as another venue to strengthen

13 ICES IGWG REPORT the WGNARS community. Finally, the Theme Session would help build a bridge between GOOS activities and ICES activities. The IGWG Chair will pursue with other Working Groups. The status of the ICES information of GOOS website should be reviewed No progress was made on this issue because of the lack of IGWG members with web experience. The potential role of ICES Data Centre in supporting GOOS-ICES interactions should be reviewed The relationship between the ICES Data Centre, WGNARS, and BASIN was discussed. There is obvious overlap between all of these groups. ICES should consider hosting the BASIN Program Office and the BASIN program office should participate in the WGNARS. Further discussion resulted in a recommendation to ICES. Future of the IGWG WG members spent some time discussing the future of the IGWG. Participation is low and the members felt that the ICES community would be better served by a more focused WG that had GOOS interactions as one of the ToR s rather than a WG directed specifically to interacting with GOOS. The group discussed a WG with a focus of integrating ocean observations across the North Atlantic. As such this new working group could bridge between the ICES Data Center, BASIN, the WGNARS and several other ICES WGs. Further, the PICES Monitor Committee could be viewed as a parallel, thereby working to facilitate further exchange of information among the two communities.

14 10 ICES IGWG REPORT 2010 Annex 1: List of participants Hans Dahlin NAME ADDRESS PHONE/FAX Catherine Johnson Jon Hare Chair Phillip R. Mundy Franciscus Colijn By Correspondance Alicia Lavín Montero By Correspondance Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute Folkborgsvägen 1 SE Norrköping Sweden Fisheries and Oceans Canada Bedford Institute of Oceanography PO Box 1006 Dartmouth, NS B2Y 4A2 Canada NOAA NMFS NEFSC Narragansett Laboratory 28 Tarzwell Drive Narragansett, RI USA Auke Bay Laboratories Alaska Fisheries Science Center, NOAA Fisheries Ted Stevens Marine Research Institute Pt Lena Loop Rd Juneau AK USA GKSS Research Centre Instiute for Coastal Research Max Planck Str Geesthacht Germany Oceanografía Física Instituto Español de Oceanografía Promontorio San Martín S/N Apartado Santander Spain Phone: Fax: Phone: (902) Fax (902) Phone: (401) Fax: (401) Phone: Phone: Fax: Phone Fax hans.dahlin@smhi.se Catherine.Johnson@dfompo.gc.ca jon.hare@noaa.gov Phil.Mundy@noaa.gov Franciscus.colijn@gkss.de alicia.lavin@st.ieo.es

15 ICES IGWG REPORT NAME ADDRESS PHONE/FAX Josh Kohut Attendee, not IGWG member Al Pluddeman Attendee, not IGWG member Rutgers University Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences Coastal Ocean Observation Lab 71 Dudley Road, New Brunswick, NJ USA Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution 266 Woods Hole Rd. MS# 29 Woods Hole, Ma USA Phone: x. 542 Phone: Fax:

16 12 ICES IGWG REPORT 2010 Annex 2: Agenda Tuesday 20 April 2010 Term of Reference a) Identify and improve the global and regional linkages between ICES and GOOS bodies Review of GOOS activities Review of EuroGOOS activities Term of Reference b) Identify and steer the development of components and activities of ICES contributing to GOOS, as well as GOOS products relevant to ICES Review of IBIROOS Review other programs Term of Reference c) Identify and steer the development of appropriate outreach activities to disseminate information about ICES and GOOS and to articulate the benefits of taking a GOOS approach in the ICES context Review status of the 2010 ASC Theme Session Review status of 2010 PISCES/ICES Theme Session Review ICES information on GOOS website should be reviewed Discuss potential role of ICES Data Centre in supporting GOOS-ICES interactions Wednesday 21 April, 2010 Joint meeting of WG Northwest Atlantic Regional Seas and IGWG Day s charge from a biological and physical perspective Jon Hare and Charles Hannah What are the needs and opportunities for ocean observations in Northwest Atlantic Regional Sea? Ocean Observing A Canadian Perspective Charles Hannah. Ocean Observing a US Perspective Jamie Verlaque Making International Observing Work a European perspective Hans Dahlin IOOS Biological observations project Hassan Moustahfid Summary of Regional Ocean Observing Activities (10 min each) Short presentations (2 3 slides) MaCOORA Josh Kohut NERACOOS Ru Morrison Canadian Systems to be determined Ocean Tracking Network Peter Smith AZMP Catherine Johnson NEFSC Jon Hare

17 ICES IGWG REPORT OOI Al Pluddeman BASIN Jon Hare SCOR Ocean Scope Discussion 1 What other observing programs are there in the Northwest Atlantic? Here are some. Are there others? Jon Hare, moderator (Charles Hannah, rapporteur) Discussion 2 Charles Hannah, moderator (Jon Hare, rapporteur) What is needed to follow large-scale physical and biological signals through the system? What do we have? What do we need? What can regional measurement of large-scale signals do for your stakeholders? Summary and Conclusions

18 14 ICES IGWG REPORT 2010 Annex 3: IGWG terms of reference for the next meeting The ICES-GOOS WG [IGWG] (Chair: J. Hare, USA) recommends that the IGWG be ended and therefore we propose no ToRs for the next meeting Supporting Information Not applicable

19 ICES IGWG REPORT Annex 4: Recommendations RECOMMENDATION FOR FOLLOW UP BY: 1. The ICES-GOOS WG be ended ICES 2. A North Atlantic Basin Ocean Observing WG be formed ICES 3. ICES consider becoming formally involved with BASIN ICES, EU-BASIN