IOCARIBE of IOC UNESCO and its GOOS Regional Alliance IOCARIBE-GOOS; GEO Blue Planet; UNDP Barbados and the OECS have a common interest in promoting the use of Ocean Observations in support of shared regional ocean and coastal management activities and sustainable development goals. In support of those interests, a Caribbean Monitoring Pilot Project is proposed that immediately addresses significant region-wide issues (Sargassum, Oil Spills) while creating a lasting framework for further expansion. The Project will stress end-to-end system development directed at providing observation- and model-based products developed by and for local practitioners and decision-makers.

IOCARIBE of IOC UNESCO jointly with these organizations will convene a workshop on 2-4 May 2018 hosted by the Ministry of Education of Mexico and Mexico National Council of Sciences in Mexico City to introduce the project goals, engage collaborators in project activities, develop an organizational structure and implementation plan, and consider how to sustain this and additional
regional Ocean Observing projects.

IOCARIBE of IOC UNESCO, GEO Blue Planet, UNDP Barbados and the OECS support an inclusive system-of-systems approach that endeavors to promote and add value to partner activities. We
invite potential collaborators and information users to attend the workshop. The workshop is partially supported through generous financial and in-kind contributions from the IOCARIBE of IOC
UNESCO, GEO Blue Planet, the Government of Flanders, the Government of Mexico, NOAA, UNDP Barbados and OECS. Attendance by invitation only.

Click here to download the meeting announcement.

The 4th GEO Blue Planet Symposium will serve as a forum for discussion of ocean and coastal information needs for sustainable development, Blue Growth and societal awareness. The symposium will bring together producers of ocean and coastal information and current and potential users of ocean and coastal information, who will share their experience with the audience.

symposium.geoblueplanet.org

The 4th Blue Planet Symposium will be held in Toulouse, South of France, from 4 – 6 July 2018.

Group on Earth Observations Town Hall

When: Wednesday, February 14, 2018 from 06:30 PM – 07:30 PM

Where: Oregon Convention Center –  E143-E144

About: The Group on Earth Observations (GEO) is a global partnership of governments and organizations that works to connect the demand for sound and timely environmental information with the supply of data and information about the Earth that is collected through observing systems and made available by the GEO community. The goal of this Town Hall is to increase awareness and participation of the ocean sciences community in GEO activities and identify opportunities for collaboration and coordination

GEO OSM 2018 townhall flyer

Ocean Communicators United (OCU) is an informal grouping of representatives of international, regional or national oceanographic research organisations that provides a forum for its members to share information, expertise, best practices and materials related to marine science communications.

OCU has recently published a step-by-step guide and template for writing a communication strategy, tailored for international marine science organisations.

The document is available for download at OceanDocs: https://www.oceandocs.org/handle/1834/10736

Blue Planet is collaborating with a diverse group of international partners on a workshop in Saint Vincent that will bring together stakeholders representing the governments of Small Island States (SIS), Earth observation providers, scientists, and private businesses with the goal to link on-going efforts to implement and monitor the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the Caribbean SIS to required ocean observations and engage in the co-creation of the knowledge needed by these governments.

See the meeting website for additional information.

GEO Blue Planet is organizing a supplemental issue for the Journal of Operational Oceanography titled “Ocean Observing for Societal Benefit”. This supplemental issue will focus on end-to-end case studies of ocean observations being used to benefit various sectors of society.

This supplemental issue will focus on end-to-end case studies of ocean observations being used to benefit various sectors of society. Submissions may include, but are not limited to:

• Coastal Communities
  • Ocean observations for the safety of coastal communities from natural disasters.
  • Ocean observations for resilient community development and sustainment.
  • Ocean observations in support of coastal recreational activities.
• Health Ecosystems and Food Security
  • Ocean observations for use in the management of fisheries activities
  • Ocean observations for use in aquaculture planning and management.
  • Ocean observations for use in management of marine and coastal ecosystems.
• The Blue Economy
  • Ocean observations for use in the tourism industry.
  • Ocean observations for use in the energy industry.
  • Ocean observations for use in the insurance/re-insurance industry.
• Maritime Awareness
  • Ocean observations for detecting and managing oil spills.
  • Ocean observations for use in maritime safety.
  • Ocean observations for use in marine transportation.

We seek contributions on these topics and encourage submissions by interdisciplinary teams (e.g. natural scientists, economists, social scientists, etc.). To have a paper considered for publication in this supplemental issue, please submit an abstract (maximum length of 250 words) by clicking here by October 15, 2017. Abstracts submitted after this date will not be considered. If your abstract is selected you will be notified by e-mail according to the time schedule listed below.
Additional instructions for manuscript submission can be found here.

Time Schedule

Abstract submission deadline: October 15, 2017
Authors notified of abstract acceptance: November 30, 2017
Manuscript submission deadline: February 28, 2018
Authors notified of outcomes of review: April 30, 2018
Revised manuscript submission deadline: June 30, 2018
Authors notified of outcomes of any additional review (if required): July 15, 2018
Final submission deadline: August 15, 2018

The Blue Planet Steering Committee will also be organizing teams for the publication of introductory papers on existing activities and future directions of activities related to:

• Ocean observing data integration and informatics
• Development of ocean observation information services
• Engagement with ocean observation data and information service users
• Capacity Building and Advocacy in support of ocean observations

If you are interested in contributing to an introductory paper, please send an expression of interest to info@geoblueplanet.com by October 15, 2017.

The International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE) recently created an inventory of national data and information sources and updated their list of global and regional data sources.

IODE is a proramme of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO. To learn more about IODE, visit www.iode.org.