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Operational Oceanography

Contents 1 Background 2 Marine Research and Development 3 Users of Operational Oceanography 4 Additional Resources 5 Subsections of this Article 6 Information about this article 7 Contact

Background

Operational Oceanography can be defined as the activity of systematic and long-term routine measurements of the seas and oceans and atmosphere, and their rapid interpretation and dissemination. Important products derived from operational oceanography are: nowcasts providing the most usefully accurate description of the present state of the sea including living resources forecasts providing continuous forecasts of the future condition of the sea for as far ahead as possible hindcasts assembling long term data sets which will provide data for description of past states, and time series showing trends and changes Operational Oceanography proceeds usually, but not always, by the rapid transmission of observational data to data assimilation centres. There, powerful computers using numerical forecasting models process the data. The outputs from the models are used to generate data products, often through intermediary value-adding organisations. Examples of final products include warnings (of coastal floods, ice and storm damage, harmful algal blooms and contaminants, etc.), electronic charts, optimum routes for ships, prediction of seasonal or annual primary productivity, ocean currents, ocean climate variability etc. The final products and forecasts must be distributed rapidly to industrial users, government agencies, and regulatory authorities.

Marine Research and Development

Marine research and development that ranges from the fundamental through to the applied end of the spectrum will always be necessary to support operational oceanography. Ultimately, new systems based on new technology and new understanding of the sea will permit long range forecasts which will be of great benefit in managing the seas and oceans, and in predicting changes and variability of climate. The role of marine R&D does not cease once a fully operational regional oceanographic forecasting system is in place. The WMO and national meteorological organisations have demonstrated that strong investment in Research and Development to support the equivalent meteorological operational capabilities is required to maintain the viability of an operational programme. Interaction between marine research operational oceanography box leads to mutual benefits on both sides. Not only will operational oceanography depend upon results and technology developed by marine research institutes but also marine science will profit greatly from operationally acquired data and time series of the seas. Ultimately, these data might contribute to the development of new and complex ecosystem models that could one day allow a more precise forecast of living marine resources than is possible at present.

Users of Operational Oceanography

Users are those governmental services, SMEs and research institutions that make use of the products generated by operational oceanography. New products will generate new applications as well as help to protect the marine environment, improve safety for marine transport and construction activities on the seas, improve public health and quality of sea water, and provide warning and protection against marine and coastal hazards, floods, and coastal erosion. Different applications require different products. Thus, the identification of specific data and product requirements by different application sectors is an important task that has to be augmented by a sound socio-economic cost-benefit analysis (including those benefits for the environment that have not been assigned a direct economic value at the moment).

Additional Resources

Subsections of this Article

No subsections available

Information about this article

Short title: Operational Oceanography

Description: none

Expertise level: beginner

Author: Murray.Brown

Approval status: approved

Approved by: Murray.Brown

Last change: 2009-9-1

Subsection of: Marine Observing Systems

Contact

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