Ocean Observation for Small Island Developing States

EarthzineEarth Observation, Ocean Acidification 2015 Theme, Oceans

Takeaway from discussions at Ocean Sciences meeting on Ocean observation for SIDS

16 May, 2022

Venkatesan Ramasamy and Doug Wilson

Under the UN Ocean Decade, there is an enhanced focus to develop science for the society and for the Small Island Developing State (SIDS) to address the climate change risk and impacts from extreme weather events and sea level rise. Further to develop and implement nature-based solutions and benefit from the blue economy. SIDS are the most vulnerable state subjected to vagaries of the Ocean but out of 25 Island states on the basis of population and area, not even 10 of these Island nations, have sustained ocean observations.

To further discuss Ocean Observation for SIDS, an IEEE-OES sponsored technical session was organised as part of Ocean sciences meeting on 28 Feb. Its objectives were to highlight the need to have Ocean observations, capacity to apply ocean observations for social and economic benefit, and to improve the forecasts for severe weather events experienced by SIDS. The topics also included Ocean observing with newer technologies, data access, quality-checking, modeling and data products with funding opportunity. Also on the agenda was a discussion on how capacity development for SIDS is vital and would act as the primary catalyst to achieve sustained Ocean observation and forecasting.

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OSM 2022 Small Island developing states session

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Welcome address: Dr. Venkatesan, the session chair, briefed about the importance of the session and discussed the agenda of the session. He then introduced all the Presenters and gave a bird’s-eye view of the session.

Presentations by the Authors
Mr. Sundar from the National Institute of Ocean Tech (NIOT), India, presented about the importance of the Ocean and sustainable utilization of ocean resources. He discussed the activities of NIOT, India such as the development and deployment of moored buoys, drifters, Robo Coastal Observer, Robo Boat, Argos, Integrated Marine Surveillance Systems and its significant role in observing the atmospheric and dynamic ocean parameters. He also presented about the rapid mode transmission implemented and enabled in the buoy system to provide the high frequency real-time critical met-ocean data during cyclones to India Meteorological Department for improving the TC forecasts. Finally, he concluded the presentation with the indigenous developed by the NIOT and that are transferred to Indian Industry for small Islands nations in the Indian Ocean Rim countries such as Maldives, Seychelles, Mauritius and Indonesia.

On behalf of Doug Wilson, Dr. Venkatesan presented on “The Need for Innovative Ocean Observing Tools for Small Island Developing States”. He emphasized that the present tools for Ocean observing are not well-aligned with the needs and capabilities of developing states. He discussed that higher spatial and temporal resolution data is needed to address coastal processes and also opined that the technologies for Ocean observations should be low cost so that developing nations can afford them. He stressed the necessity for Innovative Ocean observing tools for SIDs.

Sebastien Boulay described about the Spotter buoy developed by Sofar Ocean Technologies. He discussed the merits such as lower cost, convenient data access and more accessible deployment requirements which have enabled various research programs to obtain historical wave records and implement operational forecasting and hazard warning systems.

OSM 2022 Small Island developing states session

The talks delivered at the session

Joe from Rutgers University, presented on “Observing essential ocean features in the eastern Caribbean for a safe and predicted Ocean”. He discussed the vulnerability of Caribbean nations to hurricane disasters. He also presented that the studies indicate that intensity forecasts can be improved with expanded and sustained ocean data collection.

Dr. Randi Rotjan, Boston University, discussed about the PIPA Research Program and its three major components: coral reef, deep sea, and pelagic ecosystems. She presented the conceptual framework for the biodiversity and ecological and anthropogenic processes in the Phoenix Islands ecosystem. Her interest and passion to work with island communities could be seen.

OSM 2022 Small Island developing states session

The speakers and panelists

Dr Girishkumar from INCOIS, discussed the importance of in-situ Ocean observations to understand the ocean environment and to utilize them for operational oceanography. He briefed about the Ocean Observation Network and the different platforms under it. He gave a detailed presentation on moored met-ocean data buoys, Argo floats, Expendable bathythermograph/expendable conductivity temperature depth, drifters, INCOIS Flux mooring, ship-board Automated weather stations, Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler network along the Indian coast, current meter array in the equatorial Indian Ocean, wave rider buoys, Tide Gauges along the coast of India, open ocean tsunami monitoring Bottom Pressure Recorder.

A very interesting discussion was brought forward by Katy Soapi from Pacific Community, who presented on Ocean acidification and its adverse effects on biodiversity, livelihoods, and cultural resources. She emphasized that training complemented with equipment provision and persistent support from other experienced researchers for capacity building.

An open discussion followed after the presentations by the panellists. The panellists exhorted that SIDS are the most vulnerable state subjected to vagaries of the Ocean. Under the UN Decade, there is an enhanced focus to develop science for the society and for the SIDS.

OSM 2022 Small Island developing states session

A talk on Ocean Observing systems by India.

  • To address the climate change risk and impacts from extreme weather events and sea level rise.
  • To develop and implement nature-based solutions and benefit from the blue economy.
  • Capacity to apply ocean observations for social and economic benefit, and to improve the forecasts for severe weather events experienced by SIDS.

During the discussion, the following questions were raised and discussed

  • What is the relation of Ocean science in Island nations with global Ocean observation?
  • How do you approach multidisciplinary observing aspects for SIDS?
  • What challenges do citizens face in SIDS due to coastal hazards and what assistance is required?
  • What are the technological limitations faced by Island nations to develop and sustain ocean observation systems?
  • What is the link between Fisheries and Tourism to Ocean observation data collection for SIDS?
  • How do we educate SIDS into new technologies that enable them to deploy instruments by themselves without requiring overseas efforts.
  • How do we educate coastal population to take care of expensive instruments for ocean observations?
  • Why is it important to spend so much time on outreach and education efforts 1000 miles away from the protected area itself?
  • What are the biggest outstanding questions about the large scale marine protected areas ?
  • What is needed to keep MPSs functioning successfully?
  • What challenges do citizens face in SIDS due to coastal hazards and what assistance is required?
  • What are the technological limitations faced by Island nations to develop and sustain Ocean observation systems?
  • What is the link between Fisheries and Tourism to Ocean observation data collection for SIDS?

OSM 2022 Small Island developing states session

Joe Gardner's talk

Major recommendations

  • Educate the coastal population about the importance of ocean observations.
  • Knowledge about the cost of ocean observing systems among the coastal populations will help to prevent damage and vandalism.
  • The panel emphasized the concept of citizen scientists in Ocean observations.

 

OSM 2022 Small Island developing states session

Talk on Pacific islands and territories Ocean acidification network

Finally, all the panellists thanked Dr. Venkatesan for his efforts in organizing a great discussion. They also appreciated efforts of IEEE-OES for this unique effort and urged to continue this as an annual event to focus on Ocean observations for SIDS. Venkatesan and Megan Cronin invited all participants for the proposed OASIS event for UN DECADE Safe ocean laboratory.