JCOMMOPS Operations & Development Technical Coordinators (H. Viola, M. Belbeoch) JCOMM OCG Geneva/WMO, April 2007

2 Introduction JCOMMOPS is a component of the international coordination mechanism, which aims on behalf of JCOMM to: develop synergies between observing systems assist in the planning, implementation and operations of the observing systems monitor and evaluate the performance of the networks encourage cooperation between communities and member states encourage data sharing assist in data distribution on Internet and GTS relay users feedback on data quality to platforms operators provide technical assistance and user worldwide support act as a clearing house and focal point on all programmes aspects More general information on

3 Background Ocean observation programmes are implemented nationally and collaborate internationally through dedicated panels. International coordination can improve efficiency of the national programmes between funding agencies, program managers or principal investigators, platform operators, data users, satellite data telecommunication providers, instrument manufacturers and data centres. This international coordination is required under GOOS, GCOS and for JCOMM. JCOMMOPS was developed in this context with two Technical Coordinators and gradually took form to become a near-operational structure.

4 Background Each international observing programme has its own specific requirements but there are many cross-cutting issues (e.g.: deployment opportunities, metadata management and information system development, generic international coordination issues, relationships with IOC and WMO etc). Each JCOMMOPS TC focuses on his/her designated programme/s but at the same time they keep in mind the larger context in which the programmes are implemented. They share an infrastructure, develop tools in common, share ideas and are able to produce more together than they would do if isolated. JCOMMOPS represents a bridge between the oceanographic and meteorological communities and keeps the day-to-day link with the platform operators and actors involved in such programmes. Today, JCOMMOPS faces the challenge of strengthening its infrastructure, integrating the existing services better and eventually extending its operations to new observing systems.

5 Chronology Period 1987 to 1989The first DBCP Technical Coordinator (David Meldrum), Toulouse France, Argos. Period 1989 to 1993The second TC DBCP recruited (Etienne Charpentier) and move to USA, Argos. Period 1993 to 1998DBCP TC moved back to France (Toulouse, CLS Argos ). Period 1998 to 2001 o DBCP TC was asked to also act as SOOPIP TC. o DBCP TC was asked (at OceanObs 99) to prepare a proposal to extend coordination activities to encompass Argo and particularly implement the IOC Resolution XX-6 requesting notification for floats that might drift into Member States Exclusives Economic Zones. o Argo panel agreed at its second meeting (Southampton, March 2000). Period 2001 to Feb o First Argo TC (Mathieu Belbeoch) recruited and establishment of the Argo Information Centre as part of JCOMMOPS. o JCOMMOPS developments effectively started o John Gould becomes Argo Director (Jan. 2003). o The AIC became a component of the Argo Project Office. o Proposal to JCOMM-II for SOOP coordination to be expanded to the Ship Observation Team SOT: including SOOPIP, VOS & ASAPP. (Halifax, Sept. 2005) Period Feb July 2006Transitional period. TC/DBCP&SOT position vacant Period July 2006 onwardsThird DBCP/SOT TC recruited (Hester Viola).

6 Infrastructure JCOMMOPS is funded through the following annual (or ad hoc) national voluntary contributions DBCP/SOT: Australia, Canada, Europe (E-SURFMAR), France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, India, Ireland, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa, United Kingdom, USA. Argo (all annual): Australia, Canada, China (new), France, United Kingdom, USA. The IOC of UNESCO administers two specific trust funds according to three funding lines: –salary –travel/missions –Logistic contract with host, including a dedicated Hardware/Software budget

7 Infrastructure The office environment provided by the actual host (CLS) is excellent.

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12 Information System - Description Essential links with platform operators, Argos location system, GTS and Data Centres Independent float/buoy tracking IOC/ABE-LOS (XX-6 Res.): JCOMMOPS is a key tool Funding: 2 x $5000 / year Flexibility Independence Target 24/7 services by 2007

13 Information System - Audience Audience >> target A truly international audience AIC users survey > visits/month since 2004 Future: To extend study to all JCOMMOPS services

14 Information System – Latest Developments Release of a new Argo Information Centre website Argo deployment planning and notification procedure reviewed to allow plans 1 year in advance. New routine map data layers available (e.g.: daily Ice edge, Argo deployment plans) New design and standardisation for monthly maps New monthly maps produced Network density / age data layers tested. Plans are in place to automate production of these. JCOMMOPS dynamic web site made more reliable Enabled Web Map Services to allow more Geographic Information System (GIS) interoperability Set up of a global JCOMM integrated, interactive map: Improvements and fixes made to DBCP metadata in JCOMMOPS, problems built up over the time that the TC DBCP/SOT position was vacant

15 Information System – Future Plans Finalise JCOMMOPS website developments and integrate some of the features available on the new AIC website Improve JCOMMOPS website usability and integration (navigation, structure, updates) Finalise and enhance the global JCOMMOPS interactive map (including DBCP/SOT layers) Produce real-time Google Earth files for DBCP/SOT Improve management and communication of deployment opportunities, possibly with new tools such as a quarterly update via , maps of areas where opportunities exist and were opportunities are sought. Improve communication (e.g.) through JCOMMOPS brochure, network status reports Finalize operational procedure with host to provide 24/7 web services Replace one of the three servers Set up the routine production of density maps and GIS data layer for DBCP,SOT (VOS,ASAP and several SOOP data sets) and Argo Improve metadata retrieval, upload, storage and querying (especially for Ship Platforms) Enhance data quality control feedback for SOT and set up the user feedback mechanism on data quality for Argo, as part of a global Argo user desk.

16 Challenges - Activities Substantial effort is still required on the JCOMMOPS website and in general within the JCOMMOPS Information System in the integration of all available products. Main challenge: deployment opportunities information to assist the maintenance of global networks JCOMMOPS already handles such data (e.g. Argo planning, SOT) DBCP/SOT Planning ? Requires synthesis effort User friendly products developments More data sources (e.g. Research Cruises, OceanSITES) Develop regional support (float retrieval, donor programmes) Constant link with platform operators design of flexible procedures “How can we deploy the required instruments at the required time/space resolution to fill the gaps identified?”

17 Challenges - Infrastructure JCOMMOPS requires dedicated secretariat and I.T support  More working time to focus on programmes and development/analyse of value added products  Considering the wide spectrum of TC tasks, any help would be helpful 99.9% of the Information System is managed by JCOMMOPS staff: installation, configuration, maintenance, development … Relocation of JCOMMOPS I.S. - some options: i) keep the system within CLS walls and subcontract its maintenance ii) move and re-design the whole system at new host iii) hybrid of i/ii

18 Challenges – Extension to new Observing Systems The difference in the current services offered within JCOMMOPS for Argo and DBCP/SOT can be explained by resources available It would be difficult to extent properly JCOMMOPS activities without additional (professional) resources. "What kind of effort would be required to manage OceanSITES at JCOMMOPS?” Initiative welcome Complementary natures of Argo, DBCP, SOT, OceanSITES Need for international technical coordination Extend JCOMMOPS expertise to new observations Some links already established (e.g. Cape Verde) Need at JCOMMOPS to handle all ship information as a whole ensemble (including Research Cruises) This requires a dedicated technical coordination

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23 Conclusion JCOMMOPS is open to extensions and changes A relocation would be an excellent opportunity to review programme requirements regarding JCOMMOPS services JCOMMOPS is able to successfully support its programmes due to its: –flexibility, –rigorous network monitoring, –independence and impartiality (developments, monitoring, evaluation, mediation), –clear international status (cooperation, funding), –strong link with IOC/WMO secretariats Challenges: integration of services, deployment opportunities