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Impact of Hurricane Dorian on the Bahamas - Impacto del huracán Dorian en las Bahamas
Hurricane Dorian is the fifth tropical cyclone of the season in the Tropical Atlantic, the fourth to become a tropical storm and the first to become a hurricane in 2019.
On August 24th it ceased to be the tropical depression Five to become the tropical storm Dorian. At that time, it was located about 1530km from the Lesser Antilles; later on, in August 27th, traveled through the islands of Barbados and St. Lucia.
Later on, in August 28th as hurricane category 1, moved very near to the Virgin Islands and left the Caribbean Sea. On the other side, on September 1st, arrived in the Bahamas as a cyclone category 5 and stayed in that area for three days, generating a sea level increase of more than 1 meter high, causing a great flooding. Which can be appreciated when comparing tide forecasts vs the measurements recorded by the tide station of Settlement, before being affected by the hurricane. Sea level data from this station can be consulted on the website of the sea level network coordin...
For the first time underwater gliders are launched off the coast of Dominican Republic to improve hurricane intensity forecasts and disaster risk reduction
On August 15 2019 for the first time an underwater glider was launched off the coast in Dominican Republic waters, 5 miles to the south of Bocachica. The glider will monitor the ocean waters in this region during the next three months providing high-value data to be used daily and in real-time for weather and hurricane forecasts. This activity is a part of the IOCARIBE-GOOS of IOC of UNESCO pilot project on improvement of Hurricane Observing Forecasting Capacity developed jointly with national institutions and universities in a multi-institutional effort that brings together the research and operational components to implement and carry out sustained and targeted ocean observations from underwater gliders in the Caribbean Sea and south-western tropical North Atlantic Ocean.
Hurricane Katrina. Temperature and Salinity to 500 to 1000m deep need to be continuously monitored during hurricane season to improve intensity forecasts
This effort is led by the US National Oceanic and Atmo...
Ph.D. Scholarship and Post-Doctoral Fellowship Programme - Empowering Women for the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development
The World Maritime University (WMU) WMU-Sasakawa Global Ocean Institute (GOI), with the support of the the Government of Canada through the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), has launched a Ph.D. Scholarship and Post-Doctoral Fellowship Programme on Gender Empowerment in support of the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development through research, education and capacity building. The deadline to apply is 30 June 2019. Read more
Survey Training interests of CLME+ Stakeholders
On behalf of the UNDP/GEF CLME+ Project we are requesting the assistance of your membership for the completion of this short survey. Consistent with the UNDP/GEF +CLME Project to provide better access to training and capacity development opportunities in the Wider Caribbean Region, we recognize that feedback from key stakeholders is essential for the user-driven design of the proposed service. In this light, we kindly ask you to refer to the survey found at this link:
[https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CLME_CapacitySurvey].
The survey is designed to take no more than 5 minutes to complete. Please note that all responses will be exclusively used to improve Capacity Development Strategy at CLME+.
Join UNESCO to celebrate woman in ocean science at the next World Oceans Day 2019
UNESCO’s World Heritage Marine Programme and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC) are joining forces to :
honor the many incredible women scientists whose leadership helps protect World Heritage marine sites for future generations, and
highlight the need to fill ocean science gaps for the conservation of World Heritage marine sites (in the framework of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021–2030);
Participate by sending a short video of a woman scientist highlighting her invaluable work in support of the conservation of the 49 marine sites inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
The best films will be featured on World Oceans Day, 8 June 2019, at UNESCO HQ and through our social media worldwide. Deadline for submitting videos is Friday 10 May.
Download Guidelines
New agreement bolsters UN work on ocean observations, research and services
WMO Secretary-General, Petteri Taalas, and IOC Executive Secretary, Vladimir Ryabinin, signed new Letter of Agreement between their organizations.
Geneva: At a meeting of UN Oceans, the UN’s inter-agency coordination mechanism for ocean issues, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) signed a new agreement to strengthen collaboration between the two organizations on matters of ocean observing and related services.
Chair and Host of the UN Oceans meeting, WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas outlined the central importance of the ocean to the WMO Forward Strategy, and plans to strengthen the coordination of WMO ocean activities into the future.
"Almost all we do is done in partnership. This is why WMO values its membership in UN-Oceans to better coordinate on ocean matters," said Mr Taalas.
Mr Taalas and IOC Executive Secretary Vladimir Ryabinin said they are committed to greater cooperation between to two org...
IOC News – December 2018
This month: Experts lay out plans to prepare the UN Decade of Ocean Science - Argos deliver their 2 millionth snapshot of our changing ocean - Innovative study on mixotrophic species of plankton - IOC People of the Month: Meet some members of the #OceanDecade's Executive Planning Group - Upcoming Events - Employment. Read More...
IOC News – November 2018
This month: IOC to work with Indonesia following Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami – Communities in Grenada and Haiti recognized “Tsunami Ready” – High Level Panel Discussion for World Tsunami Awareness Day – Global coalition of aquariums against plastic pollution – Marine Spatial Planning for the development of oceanic resources – Climate change and productivity in North-West Africa waters – IOC Person of the Month: Ivonne Montes. Read More...
Maritime Spatial Planning Goes Global: European Commission and IOC-UNESCO to develop new international guidelines
The European Commission and IOC-UNESCO have launched MSPGlobal, a new joint initiative to promote cross-border maritime spatial planning.
Planning human activities at sea so they happen safely and sustainably is a pre-requisite to good ocean governance. This requires a high level of coordination, not just within a same country but also across borders. This is why since 2017 the European Commission (DG MARE) and IOC-UNESCO have been working hand in hand to develop transboundary maritime spatial planning.
Joint Roadmap to accelerate Maritime/Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) processes worldwide
IOC-UNESCO Global Ocean Oxygen Network (GO2NE) Summer School - Deadline Applications: 15 November 2018
The next IOC-UNESCO Global Ocean Oxygen Network (GO2NE) Summer School will be held from 2-8 September 2019 in China at Xiamen University's Xiang’an Campus.
The GO2NE Summer School will bring together 40 PhD students and early career scientists with 16 world-leading international scientists. It aims to connect young researchers with leading scientists working on oxygen, both in a theoretical framework and through laboratory experiments, field work, modelling and special sessions on communications, ethics and stakeholder engagement.
Applications close on 15 November 2018.
Overview of the Summer Course
Eligibility and Link to Application Page
Outlook of 2018 Sargassum blooms in the Caribbean Sea - October 30, 2018
In January 2018, unusually high amount of Sargassum was caught in satellite imagery in both the Caribbean and the central West Atlantic. While the former could only be peered by January 2015, the latter represented a historical record. Based on these observations and based on the connectivity between the two regions, in early February 2018 we generated and distributed our first 1-page Sargassum outlook bulletin for the Caribbean Sea, and predicted that 2018 would be a major bloom year for the Caribbean.
The images show distributions of Sargassum areal density for the most recent month, together with the same month in previous years. It is clear that 2018 represents a record-high bloom year for both the Caribbean and the central West Atlantic. The reasons behind this record-high bloom, however, are yet to be determined.
Sargassum Outlook Bulletin, July 2018
Satellite-based Sargassum Watch System (SaWS)
IOC News – October 2018
This month: IOC to work with Indonesia following Sulawesi earthquake and tsunami – Communities in Grenada and Haiti recognized “Tsunami Ready” – High Level Panel Discussion for World Tsunami Awareness Day – Global coalition of aquariums against plastic pollution – Marine Spatial Planning for the development of oceanic resources – Climate change and productivity in North-West Africa waters – IOC Person of the Month: Ivonne Montes. Read more...
IOC News - August/September 2018 Monthly Newsletter
This month: Ocean and Climate Conference – “Ocean for Sustainability” Forum – “Kiel Declaration” calls for more marine and climate protection – PacWave18 exercise to test countries preparedness and communications systems – 115,000 people take part in Indian Ocean-wide tsunami exercise – IOC Person of the Month: Gabriele Goettsche-Wanli. Read more...
Programme Specialist Vacancy Announcement
Programme Specialist - IOC 339
Vacancy Announcement for a Programme Specialist position (P4) in marine policy at the IOC Secretariat. Deadline for application is 27 September 2018.
Link to UNESCO Job page: https://careers.unesco.org/careersection/2/joblist.ftl
IOC Brochure - Why an intergovernmental collaborative approach is needed for understanding and managing the ocean?
The IOC is an intergovernmental organization established in 1960. Its purpose is to promote international cooperation and to coordinate programmes in research, services and capacity-building, in order to learn more about the nature and resources of the ocean and coastal areas and to apply that knowledge for the improvement of management, sustainable development the protection of the marine environment, and the decision-making processes of its Member States.
As recognized in the UN Sustainable Development Goal No 14 the healthier and resilient the ocean, the more positive its contribution to the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainable development and vice versa. The Ocean is a jointly shared value.
IOC Brochure - English version
IOC Brochure - Spanish version
IOC News - July 2018
This month: The Science We Need for the Ocean We Want – Celebrating 100 Years of Oceanography – New Ocean Deoxygenation Policy Brief – Launching the Ocean Literacy Portal – AQUACROSS Information Platform on Aquatic Ecosystem Services – New Report Card offers global overview of ocean observations – Empowering Women in Marginalized Fishing Communities – IOC People of the Month: Ocean Scientists for the Ocean Decade. Read more...
Message from the Director General - World Oceans Day
Message from the Director General - World Oceans Day
Message from Ms Audrey Azoulay, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of on the occasion of World Oceans Day, Clean Our Ocean, 8 June 2018.
Spanish version of the Ocean Literacy Toolkit online - Cultura oceánica para todos Kit pedagógico
Cultura Oceánica para todos, Kit Pedagógico
El kit pedagógico Cultura oceánica para todos, aporta una importante contribución al trabajo de la UNESCO sobre Educación para el Desarrollo Sostenible. Destinado a educadores y estudiantes de todo el mundo, proporciona herramientas, métodos y recursos innovadores que pretenden ayudar a entender los complejos procesos del océano y sus funciones, a la vez que advierte de los problemas oceánicos más urgentes. También presenta los principios científicos esenciales y la información necesaria para comprender la relación causa-efecto entre el comportamiento individual y colectivo y los impactos que ponen en peligro la salud del océano.
In science we trust: Celebrating 20 years of Flemish commitment to building a sustainable ocean
On 14 and 15 May 2018, UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) will celebrate twenty years of cooperation with the Government of Flanders in the field of ocean science by co-organizing a guided exhibition and seminars to highlight some of the achievements made possible through the Flanders UNESCO Science Trust Fund (FUST).
Joint Master Course on Maritime Spatial Planning - Deadline: 22 June 2018
The Joint Master Course on Maritime Spatial Planning is a two-years advanced professional master program designed within the Erasmus Mundus 2013/2019 program. Three high-rated European universities participate: Università Iuav di Venezia as coordinator, University of Seville, University of Azores. Students will familiarize with key issues involved in policies formulation and planning strategies for maritime space, to improve the management of resources from an environmental, economic, social and legal perspective within the framework of Maritime policies.
IOC News - May 2018
IOC News - June 2018
This month: Major stocktaking of climate change impact on the ocean - Special: Women oceanographers tackle major ocean science issues - Celebrating World Oceans Day - Bringing the UN Decade of Ocean Science to Capitol Hill - Schools in over 30 countries to trial ocean literacy manual - What to measure/report in ocean acidification? - Improving livelihoods of communities in the Yellow Sea - IOC Person of the Month: Anela Choy
Joint Master Course on Maritime Spatial Planning
The Joint Master Course on Maritime Spatial Planning is a two-years advanced professional master program designed within the Erasmus Mundus 2013/2019 program. Three high-rated European universities participate: Università Iuav di Venezia as coordinator, University of Seville, University of Azores. Students will familiarize with key issues involved in policies formulation and planning strategies for maritime space, to improve the management of resources from an environmental, economic, social and legal perspective within the framework of Maritime policies.
Brochure
Scientists Propose Method to Assess Global Ocean Health
In a ‘Global Change Biology’ paper, a group of scientists propose using “essential ocean variables” as part of a sustained Global Ocean Observing System. The authors argue such a method can provide information on global changes in marine ecosystems and resources in response to internationally agreed needs, including data needed to monitor progress towards the SDGs, CBD Aichi Targets and the UNFCCC.
Scientists Propose Method to Assess Global Ocean Health
sdg.iisd.org
4th Community Research Symposium, Institute of Marine Affairs -IMA
The Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA) will be hosting its 4th Community Research Symposium on Wednesday 28th March 2018 at the Chaguanas Borough Corporation Auditorium. The theme of the Symposium is “From Caroni to Pointe-a-Pierre: Conserving our Coastal Environment”.
This Community Symposium will provide pertinent information on topics such as ecosystem and biota health, pollution, livelihoods, and impacts from climate change. The presentations will be followed by a panel discussion on actions/interventions required to address the environmental issues identified. The symposium will provide a platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue, and begin a conversation on the way forward.
Cumbre Mundial del Océano 2018 “Las Ciencias Oceánicas: Oportunidad para invertir” - Vladimir Ryabinin.
Ciencias Oceánicas: Oportunidad para invertir
"Si queremos salvar el océano, hemos de reconocer, desde una óptica política y práctica, que invertir en las ciencias oceánicas merece la pena"
Vladimir Ryabinin – Secretario ejecutivo de la Comisión Oceanográfica Intergubernamental de la UNESCO
The UNESCO and its Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, released “Ocean Literacy for All. A toolkit”
The UNESCO and its Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, released “Ocean Literacy for All. A toolkit”, a publication highlighting ocean literacy activities around the world and bringing together experiences from a variety of stakeholders who promote ocean literacy as a major tool for sustainable development in classrooms, boardrooms and governmental institutions.
This publication is made of two parts. The first part presents the history of ocean literacy, describes its framework made of seven essential principles, and connects them to international ocean science programs that contributes to enhancing ocean knowledge and observations.
The second part, after introducing the methodological approach based on the multi-perspective framework for ESD developed by UNESCO, presents 14 activities that could provide tested examples and support for the implementation of marine education initiatives.
Ocean Literacy for All. A toolkit (ENG)
World Science Day for Peace and Development
Science for Global Understanding
Celebrated every 10 November, World Science Day for Peace and Development highlights the important role of science in society and the need to engage the wider public in debates on emerging scientific issues. It also underlines the importance and relevance of science in our daily lives.
Walter Munk One Hundred Years Anniversary
Walter Munk One Hundred Years Anniversary
Walter Munk, scientist at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego, has been called the world’s greatest living oceanographer.
The main goal of IOC is to strengthen ocean science and enhance its service for humanity and the ocean itself. It is highly unlikely that anyone else from living oceanographers of the world has contributed more to the IOC raison d’être than have Walter Munk, both in terms of making fundamental discoveries in oceanography and in terms of turning these discoveries into practical applications of direct benefit for people.
Statement by Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of the Withdrawal by the United States of America from UNESCO
After receiving official notification by the United States Secretary of State, Mr Rex Tillerson, as UNESCO Director-General, I wish to express profound regret at the decision of the United States of America to withdraw from UNESCO.
Universality is critical to UNESCO’s mission to strengthen international peace and security in the face of hatred and violence, to defend human rights and dignity.
In 2011, when payment of membership contributions was suspended at the 36th session of the UNESCO General Conference, I said I was convinced UNESCO had never mattered so much for the United States, or the United States for UNESCO.
This is all the more true today, when the rise of violent extremism and terrorism calls for new long-term responses for peace and security, to counter racism and antisemitism, to fight ignorance and discrimination.
I believe UNESCO’s work to advance literacy and quality education is shared by the American people.
I believe UNESCO’s action to harness new technologies...
UNESCO Message 13-10-17: International Day for Disaster Reduction
UNESCO Message 13-10-17: International Day for Disaster Reduction
Primer Seminario en Linea de GOOS en Español
Flujos Mar-Atmósfera de CO2 en el Mar de Patagonia y en el Mar de Weddell Occidental
Dr Alejandro Bianchi, Servicio de Hidrografía Naval, Argentina
miércoles 27 septiembre 21:00 GMT/UTC
· hora local »
Haga clic aquí para ver el seminario. Las diferencias de presiones parciales de CO2 (ΔpCO2) y concentración de clorofila a (Cl a) se determinaron en 22acmpañas en varias estaciones en 2000–2006 en el Mar de Patagonia y el quiebre del talud. Este trabajo es una síntesis de los análisis e interpretaciones de este data set y la influencia las variables ambientales y los procesos físicos y biológicos. Las aguas próximas a la costa son una fuente CO2 hacia la atmósfera mientras que la plataforma media y el talud continental son una región de hundimiento de CO2 . la transición entre fuente y sumidero sigue ajustadamente la ubicación de of los frentes de marea, sugiriendo una conexión enre la estratificación de la columna de agua ye el balance regional de CO2. La co-locali...
State of the Marine Environment Report, Trinidad & Tobago 2016
A production of the Institute of Marine Affairs (IMA), the State of the Marine Environment (SOME) Report 2016 provides a scientifically grounded understanding of the condition of some of Trinidad and Tobago's important coastal and marine ecosystems, habitats and species. It also details how the status of these resources have been and are being affected by the range of natural and human pressures to which they are subjected. This report provides a snapshot of the state of Trinidad and Tobago's marine environment for 2016.
Becoming operational in 1978, the IMA is the only multi-disciplinary coastal, marine and environmental research organization in CARICOM established to conduct inter-disciplinary studies.
State of the Marine Environment Report, Trinidad & Tobago 2016 - Document
IOC-XXIX Assembly Pays Tribute to Prof Mario Ruivo
The 29th Session of the IOC Assembly (Paris, 20-29 June 2017) paid tribute to Prof Mario Ruivo, who passed away early 2017. The remembrance event was attended by Prof Ruivo's wife, Dr Maria Eduarda Gonçalves. After a heartfelt address by Dr Gunnar Kullenberg, former Executive Secretary who recalled the days when Prof Ruivo was IOC Executive Secretary but was also a friend, Dr Claudia Delgado, former student of Prof Ruivo in Portugal and currently IODE training coordinator, read the statement on behalf of IODE-XXIV when Prof Ruivo was given a posthumous IODE achievemtn award in recognition of his vision of a data and information network in Africa and his decades of support to IOC and its IODE. The award was handed over by Dr Vladimir Ryabinin, IOC Executve Secretary and Prof Yutaka Michida to Prof Ruivo's wife, Dr Maria Eduarda Gonçalves. IODE owes a lot to Prof Ruivo and we will always remember him as a visionary.
Members of the IOC community (and its IODE) who wish to share a...
First Announcement and Call for Papers - 70th Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute (Merida, Mexico, 06-10 November 2017)
The 70th Annual conference of the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute will be held in Merida, Mexico, from 6-10 November 2017 at the Hyatt Regency Merida Hotel. The conference is being hosted by the CINVESTAV, Unidad Merida, Instituto Technologico de Merida and Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan.
The 70th GCFI conference will focus on applying fisheries and marine science to solve problems by bringing multiple users of ocean resources together to make informed and coordinated decisions for sustainable use of these resources. Addressing the issues of connectivity, fisheries management, conservation, and related issues at GCFI will aid in addressing critical marine resource issues within the Wider Caribbean Region.
English: http://www.gcfi.org/Conferences/70th/GCFI_70_FirstAnnouncementEn.pdf
Spanish: http://www.gcfi.org/Conferences/70th/GCFI_70_FirstAnnouncementEs.pdf
UNESCO Publishes First Status Report on Ocean Sciences around the World
Ocean sciences are led by a small number of industrialized countries although collecting data and taking the measure of the ocean’s health is a global priority considering the economic and environmental stakes involved, according to the Global Ocean Science Report, compiled by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. The Report advocates increased investment into research and calls for greater international scientific cooperation.
UNESCO Publishes First Status Report on Ocean Sciences around the World
English: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0024/002493/249373e.pdf
Spanish: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0024/002493/249373s.pdf
French: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0024/002493/249373f.pdf
ONE PLANET, ONE OCEAN – Video
The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO is a global community that enables nations to work together to study our ONE shared OCEAN and observe its changes. Join us to #SaveOurOcean and call for an International Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development from 2021 to 2030!
https://www.facebook.com/IocUnesco/videos/10158892170525473/
For more information on how the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO is helping its member countries achieve #SDG14, please visit: http://ioc.unesco.org
Message from Ms Irina Bokova, Director-General of UNESCO, on the occasion of World Oceans Day, 8 June 2017
Our Ocean, Our Future
“A healthy ocean requires robust global knowledge of ocean science. We cannot manage what we cannot measure, and no single country is able to measure the myriad changes taking place in the ocean.”
English: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0024/002492/249223e.pdf
Spanish: http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0024/002492/249223s.pdf
IOC-UNESCO HARMFUL ALGAE NEWS No. 56 is now available
UNESCO Harmful ALgae News No. 56
Content
HAB events and toxin effects
Gambierdiscus distribution
in the Pacific ..................................... 1
Pseudo-nitzschia toxins and
copepods ........................................... 5
Alexandrium spp. in British
Columbia, Canada .......................... 7
Raphidophytes from British Columbia ............................................ 9
Algal blooms in the Gulf of Oman .............................................. 11
HAB monitoring
The Scottish Coastal
Observatory ...................................... 15
HAN Networking
The RedFAN network in
Mexico ................................................. 16
Ciguatera risk management
for the IOCARIBE Region ............ 17
HAB research at the IOC/
WESTPAC region ............................ 18
In memoriam: Paul Harrison .... 20
Forthcoming events
6th IPSAP Congress ........................ 10
GlobalHAB SSC ................................ 19
ICES-IOC WGHA...
Third Caribbean Training Course for Operators of Sea Level Stations
Within the framework of the Project "Strengthening sea-level observation network and coordination activities in the Caribbean", the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO jointly with the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Mareographic Service of the Universidad Autónoma de Mexico, is organizing the “Third Caribbean Training Course for Operators of Sea Level Stations,” to be held in Mérida, Mexico 4–9 June, 2012.
Visit the IOC Tsunami Programme webpage for more information about this event.