Task Group No 1 Mesoamerican Pilot Project Report to the Electronic Chart Working Group, Mesoamerican and the Caribbean Hidrographic Commission. Biloxi, MS, 24 of march, 2003 By Denis Fuentes

Task Group No 1 Mesoamerican Pilot Project Background: Established in nov 5, 2002 during the ECWG- MACHC meeting, Biloxi, MS Objective: Increase the National Capacity Building of the countries with Hidrographic and nautical activities in need of assistance. Select an pilot area to improve and increase the production of data including ENC charts

Task grupo No 1 General Report Establisment of relatioship with the IDB coordinators of Gulf of Honduras project (GOH) Meeting in Washington, DC dec 6,2002, with Michele Lemay,IDB especialist and coordinator of GOH Review of the concept paper about GOH project, and resended to POC and MACH members of these countries. Collection of information from POC to prepare a document from our GW to IDB coordinator and contractors (sended 3/3) Participation in technical meeting in Guatemala city (20/21 march) to discuss the Transboundary Diagnostic Analisis (TDA) of the project, presentation of the role of hidrography and nautical charting by our TG to participants

Summary of Actions and Results of this TG in the meeting of Guatemala, 20/21 march We are assure the inclusion of the Hidrohraphic component in the GOH project, also have been transmit positively to rest of stakeholders the value of Hidrography for the success of this project. We are promote clearly the inclusion as one of the main component the following activities: review national capacities for h&O; Develop a plan for regional cooperation in H&O;Develop and implementing a training program; Established a regional focus for H&O; Obtain National budget to support regional focus for H&O We are make the necesary contacts with the IADB, COCATRAM,GEF to gradually increase our participation in the GOH project

Summary of Actions and Results We are link efficiently with the COCATRAM and IHO initiatives in the region with our initiatives. We are established the POC in these countries for a succesfully integration in a MACH. We are review the contractors program and make the comments to them and IADB to be consider in the final document of the project and the cost.

Summary of NextActions and Needs Develop a matrix with the Hidrographic activities, including regional initiatives, training, existing GIS or IS, ENC production. Develop cost for the activities mentioned and connetc with the regional programs under evaluation i.e : COCATRAM/IHO for regional capacity building, ENC training program of UK,USA and others Identify the Regional or National centers for research and monitoring the enviroment, ocean, GIS,etc to connect as partners with this project and national agencies.

Next meeting and results April 1, deadline to send the comments about the TDA already discussed ( see in the website) End of April, The contractors will supply the final TDA with the observations include. 15/16 of may, Meeting in Belize to review the matriz of the project, including all components. 15 of June is dealine to provide contractors the final comments. June 15 to 30, incorporation of the observations to the final document. August 7/8, Final meeting in Honduras to present the document.

Final remarks During this period working in this pilot project an area have recognaize for our TG, the importance of promote the hidrography, Nautical Cartography, ENCs productions and its applications. The lack of knowledge about this matter have been clearly identified in the GEF proposal, and stakeholders. Regional organizations as COCATRAM have to be consider as observer member in our Commision or WG to assure the real connection and sharing the regional initiatives already under evaluation or preparation in the Mesoamerican and the Caribbean region.

Final remarks Is strongely recommend to our members submmited to the WG an inventory of data,needs, metadata, about his countries, this information will be a good reference point to our MACHC in regional matter or technical cooperation among others Commisons or regional agencies I would like to thanks to all our TG members for the great job made until now. Your participation habe been a key to reached fully our incial goals in this TG. Thank you