Fifth Session of the IOC Regional Committee for the Co-Operative Investigation in the North and Central Western Indian Ocean

Abstract

The Regional Committee endorsed a Work Plan for 2002-2005 focusing on development and strengthening of capacity for observations and monitoring of the oceans and coastal areas, as well as analysis and interpretation of the data/information available to enable their use for sustainable management of the marine environment and resources. Training courses/workshops were proposed on diverse subjects such as: Ocean Modelling, Satellite Altimetry and Oceanography, Use of Remote Sensing and GIS for ICAM, taxonomy, techniques for rapid assessment of pollution, data and information management. The need for continuous time series of key oceanographic parameters including sea level, salinity, currents, winds will be addressed through: establishment of a Group of Experts on Ocean Dynamics and Climate, improvement of observing systems especially the sea level network, establishment of coastal observations network, assessment and monitoring of shoreline changes, and monitoring of potentially harmful marine microalgae. The committee emphasized the need to further develop ODINAFRICA and the African Ocean Portal in order to improve networking and access to information.