Experts are raising a red flag on institutional and logistical constraints scientists face when deploying ocean observation systems in countries’ Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) – areas up to 200 nautical miles from the coast that fall under governmental jurisdiction for the exploitation of natural resources and the conduct of marine scientific research. The concept of […]

The Tenth Session of the GOOS Regional Alliance Forum (GRF-X) was held online through a series of four meetings (9 and 10 September, 27 October, and 16 December 2021). The Forum, led by GOOS Regional Council Chair R. Venkatesan, convened the representatives from thirteen GOOS GRAs, as well as emerging national GRAs. The GRF-X discussed […]

On Kerguelen Island in the inhospitable southern Indian Ocean close to Antarctica, elephant seals are fitted with sophisticated data collection devices to gather vital ocean information only they can obtain that helps scientists predict climate change and the future of our oceans, and study and protect the seals themselves.  Around 60 elephant seals are fitted […]

On February 8th, just ahead of the One Ocean Summit in Brest, OceanOPS, the Joint Centre of the World Meteorological Organization and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO launched the Odyssey Project. The launch event, attended by citizens, scientists, sailors, shipping industries and fishing companies, called for collaboration between the civil society, private sector and […]

The Ocean State Report 5 Summary is available online from the Copernicus Marine Service and Mercator Ocean International (see full report). This annual publication provides a comprehensive and state-of-the-art report on the current state, natural variations, and ongoing changes in the European regional seas and global ocean, particularly in 2019. Available in a concise, illustrated, and easily accessible format, […]

For the first time, ocean data and the GOOS Essential Ocean Variables are called out in a WMO Unified Policy. This is a call for action to share ocean data that reaches beyond the global meteorological community. Photo: Sam Greenfield/Volvo Ocean Race 2018 The 2021 Extraordinary World Meteorological Congress (11-22 October) approved the new WMO […]

For the first time, a sailboat loaded with dozens of profiling Argo floats, will sail the Atlantic Ocean to replenish the global Argo array in hard-to-reach locations, contributing to the real-time observation and stewardship of the Ocean with the lowest of carbon footprints.  On November 14, the S/V Iris left Brest, in Brittany, and is sailing the Atlantic Ocean in support of ocean and […]

A GOOS study reveals that the coverage of sustained biological observations only covers 7% of the entire ocean surface, and some of the biggest gaps are in areas of high biodiversity and high human pressure. This will allow GOOS to take prioritized action.  Teeming with abundant life, the ocean is an important source of food […]

The ocean is fundamental in controlling our climate. But under increasing impacts of climate change, the ocean system is changing as well. Currently, we have important gaps in ocean observations, affecting our ability to adapt to these changes and mitigate their outcomes. That is why GOOS invites the participants of COP26 to turn their eyes […]

A New Online Tool to Generating End User’s Specific Choices of Information, Products and Services from the Ocean Observing Systems The Tenth GOOS Regional Alliance (GRAs) Forum (GRA-X Forum Part 1) was held online between 9-10 September 2021, to discuss and share important achievements in the last two years, among those a critical new emerging initiative […]