1. Physical Oceanography Unit IOI-Malta Operational Centre University of Malta aldo.drago@um.edu.mt

2. The Malta Operational Centre aims to develop and implement research and studies related to the sea, promote education, training and public awareness as well as provide services mainly in physical oceanography targeting the sustainable use of ocean space and resources, their management and regulation as well as the promotion and conservation of the marine environment. Introduction Sea-Search First Regional Meeting - 15-17 May 2003 - Istanbul Turkey

3. promotes the undertaking of marine research and monitoring in Malta based on a holistic approach; promotes the undertaking of marine research and monitoring in Malta based on a holistic approach; organizes training programmes and courses, conferences, seminars and other meetings to study topics of interest related to ocean studies; organizes training programmes and courses, conferences, seminars and other meetings to study topics of interest related to ocean studies; Aims (i) Sea-Search First Regional Meeting - 15-17 May 2003 - Istanbul Turkey

4. co-operates with the International Ocean Institute and other international organizations concerned with ocean affairs, governments, foundations, industries and academic institutions, for the establishment of appropriate liaison mechanisms and synergies; co-operates with the International Ocean Institute and other international organizations concerned with ocean affairs, governments, foundations, industries and academic institutions, for the establishment of appropriate liaison mechanisms and synergies; promotes the concept of the Common Heritage of Mankind, and encourages regional cooperation for its practical uses promotes the concept of the Common Heritage of Mankind, and encourages regional cooperation for its practical uses Aims (ii) Sea-Search First Regional Meeting - 15-17 May 2003 - Istanbul Turkey

5. E Foresee – Marine Pilot Project Sea-Search First Regional Meeting - 15-17 May 2003 - Istanbul Turkey

6. The Mediterranean Global Ocean Observing System is an informal association founded under the auspices of the UNESCO/Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) to provide a concerted approach to the planning and implementation of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) in the Mediterranean. Introduction Sea-Search First Regional Meeting - 15-17 May 2003 - Istanbul Turkey

7. The Secretariat provides administrative support and assists in the co-ordination of MedGOOS activities. It secures the continuous flow of information related to MedGOOS and its project activities, among the members. Important developments, training opportunities, conferences, seminars, etc. related to ocean monitoring and forecasting in the region are circulated to the members by the MedGOOS Secretariat. This strengthens the network and brings its components closer together. MedGOOS Secretariat Sea-Search First Regional Meeting - 15-17 May 2003 - Istanbul Turkey

8. Introduction The Physical Oceanography Unit was established in the early 90's under the Malta Council for Science and Technology. It now constitutes the research arm of the IOI-Malta Operational Centre at the University of Malta. Sea-Search First Regional Meeting - 15-17 May 2003 - Istanbul Turkey

9. research in coastal meteorology, hydrography and physical oceanography research in coastal meteorology, hydrography and physical oceanography gathers, processes, analysis and manages high quality ocean observations gathers, processes, analysis and manages high quality ocean observations promotes marine observations in Malta especially by permanent monitoring systems promotes marine observations in Malta especially by permanent monitoring systems Aims (i) Sea-Search First Regional Meeting - 15-17 May 2003 - Istanbul Turkey

10. collaborates with international research institutions collaborates with international research institutions provides services and technical assistance to public/private entities provides services and technical assistance to public/private entities Aims (ii) Sea-Search First Regional Meeting - 15-17 May 2003 - Istanbul Turkey

11.  MedGLOSS station in Portomaso  Secondary station in St. George’s Bay  Open sea stations  Malta Channel Experiment  MMA station in Grand Harbour Sea Level Stations Sea-Search First Regional Meeting - 15-17 May 2003 - Istanbul Turkey

15. Contributions in SEA SEARCH so far Sea-Search First Regional Meeting - 15-17 May 2003 - Istanbul Turkey

16. Local Potential Contributors (i) Sea-Search First Regional Meeting - 15-17 May 2003 - Istanbul Turkey

17. Local Potential Contributors (ii) Sea-Search First Regional Meeting - 15-17 May 2003 - Istanbul Turkey

18. Local Potential Contributors (iii) Sea-Search First Regional Meeting - 15-17 May 2003 - Istanbul Turkey

19. Local Potential Contributors (iv) Sea-Search First Regional Meeting - 15-17 May 2003 - Istanbul Turkey

21. The PO-Unit is launching a web-based oceanographic database, to be called the Malta Blue Pages, which will be hosted within the CapeMalta website of the PO-Unit. This is the first phase towards establishing an online data repository center for a number of data sources in the field of oceanography in Malta. Introduction (i) Sea-Search First Regional Meeting - 15-17 May 2003 - Istanbul Turkey

22. The Malta Blue Pages will be developed on methodologies using state-of-the-art server-side technologies and makes use of RealTime TM Publishing Systems for remote maintenance and updating of the database over the Internet. Introduction (ii) Sea-Search First Regional Meeting - 15-17 May 2003 - Istanbul Turkey

23. The structure of the Malta Blue Pages is on three levels: Level 1 : The Introductory Page Level 2 : Level 2 : The Data Description Level Cruise summaries Monitoring summaries Inventories Data sets Level 3 : The Search Interface Level Browse the database Query the database Download the selections Sea-Search First Regional Meeting - 15-17 May 2003 - Istanbul Turkey

24. Postal Address : Postal Address : IOI-Malta Operational Centre, University of Malta, c/o 36, Old Mint Street, Valletta VLT 12, MALTA. Telephone: +356 21 232493 Fax:+356 21 232493 Email:aldo.drago@um.edu.mt Website:http://www.capemalta.net Sea-Search First Regional Meeting - 15-17 May 2003 - Istanbul Turkey