pdf SCAR XXXV Paper 21: Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS) Report

SCAR XXXV Delegates Meeting, Davos, Switzerland, 25-26 June 2018

SCAR XXXV Paper 21: Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS) Report

Agenda Item: 4.4.3.

Person Responsible:  L Newman et al.

Executive Summary

Authors

Louise Newman (SOOS IPO), Sebastiaan Swart (Sweden), Andrew Constable (Australia). Mike Williams (New Zealand), Oscar Schofield (USA) and Phillippa Bricher (SOOS IPO)

Summary of activities from 2016-18 and other important issues

For details of activities, please refer to the 2016 Annual Report (Attachment 1). For 2017: 1) delivered and enhanced the database of Upcoming Expeditions to the Southern Ocean (DueSouth), 2) developed and delivered SOOSmap, 3) held eight international workshops/meetings, 4) developed a Task Team on Observing System Design and 5) maintained strong, internationally diverse leadership and strategic direction in the Executive Committee, Steering Committee, Data Committee, and Working Group Co-chairs 2017 was a pivotal year in developing sponsorship for the SOOS International Project Office. We are excited to announce the sponsorship by the State Oceanic Administration (China), supporting a Project Officer Dr Yuhua Pei. Additionally, all previous sponsors (Attachment 2) have continued their support in 2017 and into 2018, and we have new service providers through EMODnet Physics, COMNAP and the ACE CRC (Australia). In 2018, we have another new service provider sponsor, the Istanbul Technical University Polar Research Center. Hosting of the IPO in Hobart, Australia, has been extended until end-2019 (including both the Executive Officer and Data Officer salaries) through the Australian Research Council’s Antarctic Gateway Partnership. SOOS is working with the University of Tasmania, Australian Antarctic Division, CSIRO, Integrated Marine Observing System, and the Tasmanian State Government to develop a partnership agreement for sponsorship over the coming years.

Recommendations

1) SOOS requests continuation of the SCAR sponsorship of the annual SSC meeting (jointly with SCOR) for 2019 and 2020, to the value of 10,000 USD per year. This support is greatly appreciated by SOOS and is imperative to ensure participation of all international SSC members.

2) SOOS invites the SCAR Executive Director to attend the 2019 meeting (hosted by KOPRI, Korea)