A Strategic Planfor
NEAR-GOOS in its Second Phase

The Mission of NEAR-GOOS in its second phase
To develop a comprehensive and sustained ocean observing network in
the North-East Asian regional seas and coastal regions, especially
focussed on observations, monitoring and other activities that cannot
be easily implemented by countries acting independently. This network
will embrace a wide range of data types and will be accompanied bypilot observing experiments, trials and demonstrations, training anduseful products for use by the participating members and as acontribution to the GOOS and other global observing initiatives.

CONTENTS
1． Background ............................................................................................................................. 1
1.1 Development of international marine data exchange networks.......................................... 1
1.2 The Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS).................................................................. 2
1.2.1 The Establishment of GOOS .............................................................................................. 2
1.2.2 The GOOS Principles ......................................................................................................... 3
1.2.3 Oceanographic Data Exchange Policy................................................................................ 3
1.2.4 The regional development of GOOS .................................................................................. 4
1.2.4.1 Development of Regional Alliances ............................................................................ 4
1.2.4.2 The broad objectives of a Regional Alliance in the Asian region................................ 4
1.2.4.3 Regional Alliance ‘pilot projects’ or experiments ....................................................... 5
1.2.4.4 Regional Policy............................................................................................................ 5
1.3 NEAR-GOOS in its first phase .......................................................................................... 6
1.3.1 Establishment ..................................................................................................................... 6
1.3.2 Primary aim in the first phase............................................................................................. 6
1.3.3 Implementation................................................................................................................... 7
1.3.3.1 Establishment of two types of database ....................................................................... 7
1.3.3.2 National and regional custodian agencies.................................................................... 8
1.3.4 Successes ............................................................................................................................ 9
1.3.5 Concerns ........................................................................................................................... 10
1.3.6 Future directions for NEAR-GOOS ................................................................................. 11
2． A strategy for the second phase of NEAR-GOOS.............................................................. 12
2.1 The Vision of NEAR-GOOS............................................................................................ 12
2.2 The Mission of NEAR-GOOS in its second phase .......................................................... 12
2.3 Goals of NEAR-GOOS in its second phase ..................................................................... 12
2.4 Objectives of NEAR-GOOS in its second phase ............................................................. 13
2.4.1 Objective (i): Restructuring NEAR-GOOS ...................................................................... 14
2.4.1.1 NEAR-GOOS Coordinating Committee.................................................................... 15
2.4.1.2 Working Groups (WGs) and NEAR-GOOS Pilot Projects ....................................... 15
2.4.2 Objective (ii): Enhancing and Consolidating the Database networks............................... 16
2.4.2.1 Working towards a functionally integrated Database network .................................. 16
2.4.2.2 A Consolidated NEAR-GOOS Data Management Program ..................................... 17
2.4.3 Objective (iii): NEAR-GOOS-Labelled Pilot Projects and Experiments ......................... 18
2.4.3.1 NEAR-GOOS-initiated Pilot Projects ....................................................................... 18
2.4.3.2 Joint Projects with other bodies ................................................................................. 18
2.4.4 Objective (iv): Outreach programs ................................................................................... 19i

2.4.4.1 The Promotion of NEAR-GOOS............................................................................... 19
2.4.4.2 Capacity-building and training .................................................................................. 20

3． Financial Resources .............................................................................................................. 22
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4

Consolidating governmental investment in NEAR-GOOS .............................................. 22
Drawing on resources from participating Partner countries............................................. 22
Assistance by international organizations ........................................................................ 23
Industrial support.............................................................................................................. 23

4． References.............................................................................................................................. 25
Annex 1: The GOOS Principles.................................................................................................... 26
Annex 2: The IOC Oceanographic Data Exchange Policy ........................................................... 27
Annex 3: Terms of Reference for the NEAR-GOOS Coordinating Committee........................... 29
Annex 4: Draft General Terms of Reference for Project Working Groups (WGs) ...................... 31
Annex 5: Specific Objectives of the Database Pilot Project ......................................................... 32
Annex 6: Representative NEAR-GOOS Pilot Projects................................................................. 33
Annex 7: Projects with other programs and organizations ........................................................... 37ii

1． Background
1.1 Development of international marine data exchange networks
The conduct of any maritime activity
inevitably involves the use of observational data.
Among the more obvious applications are navigation,
marine safety, naval operations, weather and climate
forecasting, commercial operations (such as fishingand offshore oil production) and coastal
environmental
management
andprotection.
Scientific and technical knowledge underpin theeffective use of such data and together provide theframework for managing and exploiting the marine
environment in a way that secures its future.
Historically, the collecting, analysing andcollating of marine data focussed on the specific interests and objectives of the individual or theorganization collecting the data. As scientific knowledge grew and the users of data developed
interests extending beyond the scope of the data they could collect, it was realized that data could
be gathered with multiple purposes in mind and not just for its original proposed use. Moreover,in view of the high cost of collecting data, often under extremely difficult conditions, it was seenthat data, once collected, should be archived so that the reference database could gradually growand the original investment could be fully exploited. The notion of a “climatology” based on themean of all available data also encouraged a more systematic approach to archiving data.
Apart from a few instances, such as tidal prediction, where
theoretically based interpretation was possible, the application ofdata to real problems was based on the interpretation of suchclimatologies or on specific events as they occurred, as withmarine weather, storm surges or algal blooms.
Over the last two decades the advent of satellites forremote measurements and autonomous observing instrumentation has vastly increased thequantity, complexity and geographical coverage of observed marine data. The revolution instorage media and the methods used to handle data have fundamentally changed the scope of data
activities and enabled functions and capabilities that were hitherto impossible or the domain of
only the most advanced operations. The Internet has made the worldwide distribution of datasets
not only feasible but also potentially accessible from everywhere and relatively cheap tocommunicate. This in turn has made it possible to combine data from many sources and countries
within networks of international coordination. Much of the international distribution ofoceanographic data is now undertaken through such networks.

1This development toward international networks has been driven by the recognition thatscience can be brought to bear on some of the most pressing environmental problems. However,for useful outcomes, extensive, quantitatively accurate and sustained observations are required.
Such requirements can only be met through the coordinated efforts of many countries.

1.2 The Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)

1.2.1 The Establishment of GOOS

With the factors outlined in 1.1 in mind and in response to Agenda 21 of the Rio Summit
on Sustainable Development in 1991, the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC)of UNESCO formally established the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) with the joint
sponsorship of the WMO and (later) UNEP. From a set of initial plans for observing ‘modules’
defined by perceived end use, GOOS has evolved along two major themes:2•Ocean and Climate (involving physical open ocean and trans-basin observation systems, andlinked with the international weather forecasting networks) and•Coastal Systems (incorporating the observation types needed for coastal management andprotection, the conservation and sustainable use of coastal marine resources and coastal
maritime operations).

Guidance for development of these themes isprovided in separate plans. A large range of training,awareness raising and technical development activities has
also been undertaken with the guidance of the GOOS
executive bodies and by the GOOS Project Office within
the IOC Secretariat, which is part of UNESCO, centred in
Paris.

1.2.2 The GOOS Principles
One of the strongest unifying factors in the development of GOOS has been the declarationof the GOOS Principles, which define both the essential features of design of activities intended
to become contributions to GOOS and the requirements with which the contributors should
expect to comply. The Principles (1), reproduced in Annex 1, have been generally adopted forthe large variety of ocean observing activities worldwide that are now considered to be part of
GOOS. It is noteworthy that the Principles appear to have been widely accepted withoutcompromising the diverse objectives and operating arrangements of these activities.

1.2.3 Oceanographic Data Exchange Policy

At the 22nd Assembly in June 2003 the IOC resolved (IOC Resolution XXII-6) to adopt a
policy for the international exchange of oceanographic data. The Policy (2), set out in Annex 2 inparticular states in Clause 1 that ‘Member States shall provide free and unrestricted access to all
data, associated metadata and products generated under the auspices of IOC programmes.’ Since
IOC is the primary intergovernmental sponsor of GOOS, this clause will apply to all data
contributed to the GOOS network. However it should be noted that Clause 4 of the Policy‘acknowledges the right of Member States [of IOC] and data originators to determine the terms ofsuch exchange [of data from all sources] in a manner consistent with international conventions,where applicable’.
Together with Resolution 40 of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), which hassimilar provisions for the exchange of ‘essential data’ and ‘additional data’ for meteorological
purposes, the IOC Resolution marks a milestone on the road towards an international system thatunites the observation of the seas for the benefit of all nations.
31.2.4 The regional development of GOOS
1.2.4.1 Development of Regional Alliances
The realization of the GOOS is completely dependent on the interest of countries andnational agencies and their willingness to contribute part of their ocean observing effort to theGOOS framework of organization. Many international parts of the Oceans and Climate Theme
are already underway on a semi-operational basis and meteorological and oceanographic services
worldwide are now gaining benefit from the increased coordination provided through the
IOC/WMO Joint Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (J-COMM) as well as
the International Oceanographic Data Exchange (IODE) of IOC and its network of Responsible
National Oceanographic Data Centres.

However, a national commitment to the underlying GOOS concept in those observing
functions for which there is no pre-existing support, depends first and foremost on a perceived
direct benefit to each country concerned. Cooperative benefit is most evident in issues ofcommon concern to a region and this has led to the development of GOOS Regional Alliances(referred to as GRAs), for example, EUROGOOS. The Alliances are seen as a most appropriate
and easily implemented means by which groups of countries (and/or their participating agencies)
are able both to test their interest in GOOS as a medium of international cooperation and toestablish the foundations of regional centres that will gain from the access to greatly increased
data and technical resources while raising the capacity of their personnel to apply these resources
to issues of national priority.

1.2.4.2 The broad objectives of a Regional Alliance in the Asian region•

Promote implementation of GOOS in Asian coastal oceans;•

Develop operational networks between and within regional organizations;•

Develop pilot/demonstrator projects;
4•Adapt existing observing systems and integrate them into a common system;•

Determine regional needs by surveying and interacting with the main users of marine data;•

Encourage the development of a ‘production line’ (end-to-end) approach connecting initialobservations to the final products;•

Increase awareness and foster support;•

Build regional capacity.

1.2.4.3 Regional Alliance ‘pilot projects’ or experiments
Regional Alliances have taken different forms of governance.
However the general approach has been to build from pilot
projects or experiments of limited scale and duration. The projects
have typically developed and adopted new forms of cooperativeinteraction and agreement on issues such as the use of common,
merged datasets, liberalized data exchange and common goals andobjectives for the research and technical development that will lead
to use of these data as predictive and management tools. As
confidence builds in the collaborative approach and more durable foundations of support are
gained, it is expected that these pilot projects will ultimately become cornerstones of a sustained,‘permanent’ observing network.

1.2.4.4 Regional Policy
To guide new initiatives, the Intergovernmental Committee for GOOS (I-GOOS) has
recently adopted a Regional Policy (4) that maps out the necessary requirements of alliances to beincorporated into the GOOS framework. However, it is assumed that the partners themselves are
best able to determine their working arrangements, the projects needed and how they are to be
conducted. This policy therefore does not constrain the composition or functions of suchpartnerships and alliances, which are effectively autonomous. The GOOS organization is howeverconcerned that those regional initiatives bearing the GOOS label will, to the best degree, preserve
the essentials of international cooperative action towards a common GOOS vision, principles,
planning, standards, exchange policy and sustainability of the planned activity. It also aims toensure that such bodies see themselves as part of a wider global framework that confers mutual
benefits and obligations. Among the key requirements of the Policy deserving emphasis are:•

The intention to adhere to the stated GOOS Principles, policies and practices;•

Participation, representation and reporting of the GRA activities at the bi-annual sessions of IGOOS and at GOOS Regional Forums

These requirements are intended to ensure coordinated and coherent development of GOOS
at both a global and regional level.

51.3 NEAR-GOOS in its first phase
1.3.1 Establishment
North East Asian Regional GOOS (NEAR-GOOS) is a NorthEastern Asian regional ocean observing initiative being undertaken
in partnership between China (PRC), Japan, the Republic of Korea(ROK) and the Russian Federation (RF), in association with the
Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS).
NEAR-GOOS was conceived in 1995 and initiated in 1996
upon the formal adoption of the NEAR-GOOS Implementation Plan
and Operational Manual by the 29th Executive Council of theIntergovernmental Oceanographic Commission following a
recommendation from the WESTPAC Regional Sub commission of
IOC earlier in the year. It became one of the first regional pilot
projects of GOOS and predated much of the detailed planning andorganization of GOOS itself.

1.3.2 Primary aim in the first phase
The primary aim of NEAR-GOOS in its first phase was to facilitate the sharing ofoceanographic data gathered by agencies of the partner countries using the Internet, to support
the daily mapping of conditions in the marginal seas bordered by the partner countries (5).
Although it was anticipated that this should eventually lead to improvement in the availability of
information and ocean services for all kinds of beneficial purposes (in particular maritime
6

weather and storm forecasting, fishing operations, pollution monitoring and coastal management),
it is important to note that these flow-on outcomes were not specific goals for the first phase.

1.3.3 Implementation
1.3.3.1 Establishment of two types of database
With the primary aim defined in such simple terms and without requiring the planners toconsider in detail the downstream applications of the data being gathered, the implementation of
NEAR-GOOS was effected with impressive speed. The strategy to achieve the foregoing aim
was to establish two types of database, each operationally linked:
1. Real-Time Databases (RTDB), receiving and distributing its data through the WMO Global
Telecommunications System (GTS) or by other electronic means;
2. Delayed-Mode Databases (DMDB), to which data accumulated more gradually or by non
real-time modes of transmission would be submitted. It was envisaged that whole datasetsfrom the RTDBs would be binned and periodically transferred to the DMDBs to form apermanent archive.

7

Data types were confined to physical data such as temperature, salinity, current and windwaves, and it was intended to include in-situ data from moored surface buoys, drifting buoys,
towers, coastal stations, research vessels and volunteer observing ships. Also, satellite remotesensed data from geostationary, polar-orbiting satellites and earth-observation satellites wereintended for inclusion as this became possible.

1.3.3.2 National and regional custodian agencies
In practice it proved appropriate and necessary for each member country to establish (oridentify) its own National RTDB and DMDB within a national custodian agency, each being
responsible for periodically transmitting its data holdings to a corresponding NEAR-GOOS
Regional RTDB (RRTDB) or NEAR-GOOS Regional DMDB (RDMDB).
In the case of Japan, the National databases also serve as nominated Regional databases.
Thus, the NEAR-GOOS RRTDB was established by the Japan Meteorological Agency, whichhosts a Regional Telecommunication Hub of the GTS and also serves as a Specialized
Oceanographic Centre associated with the Joint IOC/WMO Commission for Oceanography andMarine Meteorology (J-COMM).
The Japan Oceanographic Data Centre undertook to host the NEAR-GOOS RDMDB.
This centre is also a National Oceanographic Data Centre of Japan under the framework ofInternational Oceanographic Data Exchange (IODE) network of IOC.

CountryJapan/ i.e.
Regional

People’sRepublic of
China
NMEFC

Republic of Korea Russian Federation

JMA
KORDI
FERHRI
http://goos.kishou http://neargoos.nm http://nearhttp://rus.ferhri.ru/Proj
efc.gov.cn
ects/Neargoos.go.jp/goos.kordi.re.kr
JODC
NMDIS/SOA
NFRDI
http://nearhttp://nearhttp://kodc2.nfrdi.r POI
DMDB
goos1.jodc.go.jp/ goos.coi.gov.cn
e.kr:8001/home/en http://pacificinfo.ru/
Hostg/main/projects/nea near-goosr-intro.php

RTDB
Host

Table 1: NEAR-GOOS custodian agencies (host organizations)

In order to satisfy national requirements for autonomy, it has been necessary for thenational centres to continue to function independently and to provide data at their discretion to theregional databases. While this has been a retreat from the original concept of completely merged
data holding, it has in fact facilitated the release and exchange of delayed-mode data, bypreserving the autonomy of the National agencies.
By the end of December 2007, the total volume of oceanographic/marine andmeteorological data available in RDMDB was about 44.7GB. The volume of downloading data in2007 was about 25.7GB, The data volume and number of products had steadily increased, andfor example now included satellite altimetry available from the RRTDB. Many coastal stations in
8China and the Republic of Korea were now contributing in near real time. The construction of alarge observatory tower is currently underway in the East China Sea. The Russian databaseincludes the data of historical domestic and foreign observations of temperature and salinity in the
Northwest Pacific including NEAR-GOOS seas and the data sets of POI, FERHRI and TINRO
Center marine expeditions (hydrology, chemistry, and biology).

In Korea, KODC operating an integrated oceanographic data and information network at
the national level as part of its NEAR-GOOS commitment.

1.3.4 Successes
The most important successes of NEAR-GOOS in its first phase have been:
1. The consolidation of a functional two-mode ‘distributed’ Internet-based database structure in
the partner countries as a workable model for the enhancement and coordinated handling ofoceanographic data at national level;
2. The linking of this structure with two Regional Databases that are responsible for the receipt
and merging of data concerning the NEAR-GOOS region as a whole, thus creating a regional
database system which is part of GOOS;

3. The adoption and practice of a free and open data exchange policy, predating the formulationof such a policy for GOOS as a whole;94. The implementation of coordinated and approved data exchange management training forregional participants.

1.3.5 Concerns
Success has been tempered by the following factors:
1. The range and amount of data submitted to the national databases appears to be limited(although increasing) and does not include data from many of the national ocean observing
sources of the region;
2. Data is submitted at the discretion of the involved agencies of each country and there is not a
uniform vision or plan of what data should be commonly shared for best effect;
3. There are sometimes long delays in the exchange of data between Centres;
4. There is not uniform national acceptance for the nominated databases to be regarded as partof the international NEAR-GOOS structure and philosophy and NEAR-GOOS is
implemented in parallel with other national and international database networks dealing withthe same data. In some quarters there appears to be a declining commitment to participationin the structure implemented;
5. Processing time for real-time access is sometimes a problem;
6. There are not yet systematic protocols in place for the management of data;10

7. Strategic planning and operational management roles of the Coordination Committee andnational personnel and organizations responsible for the database functions are not clearly
separated and delineated;
8. There has not been much action to identify specific applications where improvement in
performance (in terms of predictions or ameliorative action, for example) could be the resultof the enlargement of the data resource, its integration within NEAR-GOOS or through thestimulation of scientific study. The claims of the benefits of NEAR-GOOS remain largely
rhetorical and untested.

1.3.6 Future directions for NEAR-GOOS
As it enters its second phase greater attention needs to be placed on how NEAR-GOOS
should be strategically developed to deliver benefit and utility of its ocean data-gathering effort toits member states. This might involve a greater range of data types and the deriving of generic‘products’ such as model analyses and synthesized maps. For this to be possible, it will also
require more direct involvement of the agencies concerned and the recruitment of a wider rangeof organizations and disciplines.

112． A strategy for the second phase of NEAR-GOOS
2.1 The Vision of NEAR-GOOS‘Through the coordination of ocean observations and associated research in the North–
East Asian regional coasts and seas, NEAR-GOOS will become recognised as a key source ofintegrated marine information, services and products to support sustainable social and economic
development, welfare and safety. The system will be operational in nature, aiming to provide data,
products and services on an ongoing basis. It will provide information on the past and present
state of the marine and coastal environment, on marine ecosystems and on the role of the ocean
in weather and climate variability. It will stimulate international cooperation and the building of
the scientific and technical skills of personnel and the capacity of the regional agencies toacquire and use ocean data effectively.’

2.2 The Mission of NEAR-GOOS in its second phase‘To develop a comprehensive and sustained ocean observing network in the North-East
Asian regional seas and coastal regions, especially focussed on observations, monitoring andother activities that cannot be easily implemented by countries acting independently. This
network will embrace a wide range of data types and will be accompanied by pilot observing
experiments, trials and demonstrations, training and useful products for use by the participating
members and as a contribution to the GOOS and other global observing initiatives.’

2.3 Goals of NEAR-GOOS in its second phase‘Development of a basic integrated ocean observing and operational forecasting system in
the NEAR-GOOS area adhering to the GOOS Principles and building on the data management
and exchange mechanisms developed in the first phase through the inclusion of additionalparameters, increased coverage in space and time, the generation of a generic suite of data
products and adequate quality control and quality assurance procedures.’
Specific goals are:
1. To meet the perceived needs of the participating
agencies of the Member States for integrated andcoordinated collection, processing and archiving ofoceanographic and marine observations and data inthe seas of the Northeast Asian region and products
derived from these data. Particular requirements are
given in Annex 5.
2. To facilitate the coordinated and cooperative
development of scientific and technological capacity,
knowledge and expertise within the Member States.
12

This will involve the selective implementation of projects in order to acquire, use and interpretthese data and data from other sources for the purposes above and any other purposes that aresocially, environmentally and economically beneficial to the countries of the region;
3. By publishing and making widely known the purposes and benefits of integrated andcoordinated ocean observation within the NEAR-GOOS framework in each of the Member States
to:
4. Increase the number of national agencies participating in and contributing to NEAR-GOOS
activities, thus compounding the value of the individual marine observing and research efforts ofsuch agencies;
5. Enhance the awareness of the relevant government bodies of the mission of NEAR-GOOS andto encourage their greater commitment to its objectives;
6. On the basis of mutual interest and benefit, strengthen cooperative relationships between
NEAR-GOOS projects and other ocean observing activities in the region and throughout theworld, especially those linked with GOOS, the Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS) andthe North Pacific Marine Science Organisation (PICES).

2.4 Objectives of NEAR-GOOS in its second phase
In accordance with the overall mission and its goals, four major objectives will define the actions
and tasks for the coming five years:(i)

Restructuring NEAR-GOOS to provide a more comprehensive and flexible andexpandable operational capability appropriate to a phased development from a regionalpilot experiment to a durable regional alliance;(ii)

Enhancing and consolidating the Database Networks established in Phase 1, to better
equip them to deliver data and useful products for Goal 1 above;(iii)

Defining, planning and implementing NEAR-GOOS-labelled Pilot Projects andExperiments. This will include a reclassification of the present activities and will
enhance the range of parameters observed, the spatial coverage, the range of data
products and that will consolidate systematic quality assurance, assimilation and usage.
Such projects will also be a prime vehicle for the implementation of other joint subregional research and development initiatives that bring the greater involvement ofresearch scientists as clients and serve as pilots for more durable international
collaboration.

(iv)

Developing outreach programs directed towards awareness raising, stakeholder
recruitment (including more national agencies and participating experts), training andcapacity-building.

132.4.1 Objective (i): Restructuring NEAR-GOOS
To ensure that NEAR-GOOS in its second phase undertakes activities that align withnegotiated and agreed priorities for cooperative action between the partners, it is proposed tocreate a revised two-tier organizational structure in which the Coordinating Committee (CC) withrevised Terms of Reference as given in Annex 3, assumes an overall coordination and strategic
development role. In particular the CC is charged with the responsibility of strengthening
coordination mechanisms The functions of detailed technical design, planning andimplementation of specific initiatives are organized as NEAR-GOOS Pilot Projects, carried out onbehalf of advisory Working Groups (WGs) whose membership is selected for the purpose. The
new structure is illustrated in Figure 1.

The NEAR-GOOS Partners
Bilateral alliances
CHINA

Rep. of KOREAJAPAN

RUSSIAIOC
GOOS

2 representatives each

WESTPAC
Secretariat
J-COMM

NEAR-GOOS Coordinating Committee

Database
WG

RemoteSensing
WG

Outreach
Projects WG

Pilot
Pilot
project
Pilot
project
TSC
project
TSC
WG

OTHER
INTERNATIONALPROGRAMSPICES, UNEP, WMO,CEOS

Joint initiatives
Planning committees
International projects
and experiments

NEARGOOS PROJECTSPRODUCTS
USERS
Figure 1: Conceptual Structure of NEAR-GOOS (Second Phase)

By separating the functions of coordination and implementation, the two-tier structure
enables the participation of member countries in projects to vary according to the priorities andinterest of the participants. In particular, it enables experiments and pilot projects with different
objectives and different groups of participating countries to be conducted in the different seas of
the region, without requiring each to be commonly mandated by all of the countries of NEARGOOS. On the other hand, each of the projects can gain benefit from its association with NEAR14

GOOS, its use of the NEAR-GOOS databases, principles and standards and the international
mandate conferred by the intergovernmental status and sponsorship of GOOS.
The proposed structure is easily altered or expanded to accommodate new initiatives andcollaboration and to enable projects to be undertaken jointly with other organizations.

2.4.1.1 NEAR-GOOS Coordinating Committee
The NEAR-GOOS Coordinating Committee (CC) will be composed of two designatedmembers from each of the participating countries, who will be senior representatives of relevant
participating departments or agencies of the member countries, qualified to advise on the strategic
directions of the programme elements of NEAR-GOOS and its relationship with external entities
such as those outlined in this plan. The CC will be responsible for advising the sponsoring
countries, agencies and international programmes and especially GOOS on the broad strategic
directions and themes of NEAR-GOOS, developing strategies for attracting national andinternational support, cooperative action and a common culture between member countries andfor overseeing the development of NEAR-GOOS Projects as designed, supervised and reportedby their respective WGs.

NEAR-GOOS-CC-XI, January 2007, Bangkok, Thailand

Terms of reference of the CC, which were decided at the seventh meeting of theCoordination Committee in 2002, are given in Annex 3.

2.4.1.2 Working Groups (WGs) and NEAR-GOOS Pilot Projects
The work of NEAR-GOOS is organized into functionally separate but (where necessary)interacting ‘Projects’ defined by scientific purpose, geographic region or, in the case of the Data
Centres, by cross-organizational relevance. Each of these is directed by a separate Working
Groups (WGs) composed of appropriate technical expert representatives of each of theparticipating countries, agencies or programmes. If necessary for reasons of size or differing
objectives, projects may be subdivided and provided with separate WGs. Each WG is
individually responsible for the design, planning and implementation of its Project and forreporting to the CC. Projects may, depending on their content and objectives, include countries
and agencies that are not NEAR-GOOS members and where appropriate, their WGs need not15

include all NEAR-GOOS member representatives. However every NEAR-GOOS designatedproject must have the ongoing endorsement of the NEAR-GOOS CC.
Draft General Terms of reference of the WGs are given in Annex 4.

2.4.2 Objective (ii): Enhancing and Consolidating the Database networks
It is envisaged that the Database framework established in the First Phase of NEAR-GOOS
would become the first of the NEAR-GOOS projects identified in 2.4.1 above, perhaps separated
into real-time and delayed-mode projects.
Annex 5 lists a number of high-priority strategic tasks for the second phase, identified by
the Coordinating Committee at its 7th Session (5). These are, briefly, (i) introduction of newparameters; (ii) increase in spatial and temporal coverage; (iii) data products; and (iv) data
Quality Assurance/Quality Control.
It is appropriate to examine the organizational structures needed to address these tasks.

2.4.2.1 Working towards a functionally integrated Database network
The harmonising of procedures within and between
participating agencies is essential if the benefits of the global
revolution in data generation and access are to be realised
nationally, and this can be efficiently brought about throughthe harmonization and cooperative development of thecommon functions of data management. The intention is not to
substitute for the data-gathering roles of the national agencies
but to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of theseroles by the concentration of expertise, the integration andquality control of data, the identification of gaps in national data acquisition, products andservices and the elimination of duplication. These are all functions that in a ‘distributed system’
can be divided or shared between the participating host agencies. It should also result in an
effective interface to international data sharing and exchange mechanisms and access to bestpractice, and facilitate the application of both national and international data in a crossdisciplinary and holistic approach to important national problems and issues.
As is already the case, the Database Project will function as a ‘Distributed Data Network’
exploiting the Internet and modern technologies, eliminating the need for geographic co-location.
Participating agencies will not be required to deposit or reproduce original data in a centralisedarchive but users would either be able to download merged data and data products from the
National Databases or access information about these data (i.e. metadata) and using thisinformation, negotiate with the source agency to gain access to the data itself.
The Database Project will require a focus for liaison between partners, coordination andother functional and administrative activities. It is also important that there is identified
coordination of NEAR-GOOS involvement in international activities, such as the coordinated16

development and application of standards and protocols (including guidance from internationalsources such as IODE and J-COMM). Depending upon the resources required it might also take adirect role in the generation of useful products and innovations enhancing the accessibility andusefulness of the data.
The CC should, as one of its initial tasks, address the appropriate organizational mechanism
to provide the foregoing functions on behalf of all the NEAR-GOOS Partners. Since some ofthese functions overlap those of the CC it will be necessary to define the areas of responsibility
relative to those of the WG for the project. The roles of the WG are outlined below in 2.4.2.2.

2.4.2.2 A Consolidated NEAR-GOOS Data Management Program
Steps in implementation should be taken during the second phase to move to an ongoing
operational status. Its foundations are firmly established and the main initial tasks of the Working
Group of the new body would be to:•Work towards the development of a functionally integrated Database Network;•

Review and if necessary, develop a practical management process;•Outline the data-gathering and data management objectives to better reflect the individual
priorities of the partners while accommodating the goals of NEAR-GOOS;•

Clarify the role and responsibilities of the Regional Databases relative to those of the
National Databases and especially to examine the ways these can be combined and integrated
to make a whole system that comprehensively serves the member countries and is more thana sum of the parts;•

Explore the resources required toproperly distribute key tasks of the
project among and between the NEARGOOS membership;•

Define and implement pragmatic andworkable training programmes to ensurethat the databases are managed by, andcan hold on to, skilled and dedicatedpersonnel.

Under this project it would also beappropriate to consider enhancements to the databases and incorporate strategies to：•

Recruit national data-generating bodies not presently involved in NEAR-GOOS;•

Expand the range and quantity of data incorporated, especially those appropriate to the newparticipants and to the needs of joint experiments;•

Address value-adding enhancements and derived products accessible to users, such as fields,
maps and climatologies.

172.4.3 Objective (iii): NEAR-GOOS-Labelled Pilot Projects and Experiments
2.4.3.1 NEAR-GOOS-initiated Pilot Projects
The development of a suite of pilot and/or development projects that are complementary to
the Database Project (2.4.2) is seen as an essential (and perhaps the only feasible) vehicle for
NEAR-GOOS to achieve its goals. It must be borne in mind however that many such activities
are additional to the remit of NEAR-GOOS in its first phase and in order to attract support andinterest from governments and scientists, they will need to have the following characteristics fromthe start:•

High relevance to regional problems and needs;•

Relevance to the NEAR-GOOS vision and objectives for the second phase;•

Capacity to recruit new participants (especially scientists);•

Capable of phased development from modest beginnings, with growth dependent on theattraction of new resources;•

Phases of development of limited and defined time span with regular performance review;•

Having foreseeable and quantifiable outcomes and/or ‘products’;•

Exploiting and building upon already existing interests and skills of the NEAR-GOOS
members and/or prospective joint partners.
To expand the scope of possibilities
according to these criteria, projects should beundertaken jointly or in collaboration with otherbodies or programmes wherever possible.

It is important that projects are notundertaken only on the basis of perceived common
interest of a few individuals or of transient
opportunity and that the number of projects is
restricted and matched to the manpower andfinancial resources available to sustain progress at
a reasonable rate, especially during start-up. The CC will have an important role in the criticalevaluation of proposals and the prioritisation of their implementation.
The adoption of NEAR-GOOS-labelled or NEAR-GOOS-associated projects should follow
careful review by the CC. Projects cannot be detailed in this present plan because of the need forevaluation in terms of the foregoing requirements but examples for consideration are summarizedin Annex 6.

2.4.3.2 Joint Projects with other bodies
There are strong reasons for developing projects linking NEAR-GOOS ocean observing
activities with research. Given that the present NEAR-GOOS agencies are focussed on data18

management, one effective vehicle may be through joint alliances with other agencies, under theumbrella of existing external regional programmes and international frameworks of cooperation.
It is important that any programme to which NEAR-GOOS is linked is appropriately
labelled.
One criterion for the ‘labelling’ is the project’s ability to add specific value in the region,
for example, a project undertaken cooperatively by Member States compared to one done
individually (e.g. the Yellow Sea LME which focuses on doing service for the multi-national
community).
Possibilities for joint
projects that have potential andworthwhile links with NEARGOOS are summarized in
Annex 7.

2.4.4 Objective (iv): Outreach programs
2.4.4.1 The Promotion of NEAR-GOOS
2.4.4.1.1

Promotion to the scientific and technical user community

The promotion of NEAR-GOOS in its second phase is important in gaining increased
support, participation and sponsorship and should be the subject of a separate implementation
plan developed by the appropriate WG. The following are matters for inclusion, based onsuggestions arising at recent CC meetings.
•

Redesign of the NEAR-GOOS webpage toreflect the new structure, and regular updatingof the content, together with semi-popular‘brochure’ style material, mounted on thewebsite, that can also be used in vectored
distribution during events such as workshops,
conferences and exhibitions; an example would
be a web publication similar to the GOOS
Products
Bulletin(see
http://ioc.unesco.org/gpsbulletin/);•Preparation of graphical and visual material to explain specific Pilot Projects, including maps,
numerical statistics and outcomes and products;•

Publication of the Strategic Plan, translated into several regional languages.

2.4.4.1.2

Recruitment of partners to NEAR-GOOS.

The present participating agencies in NEAR-GOOS are strongly if not exclusively focussed
on marine data acquisition and management. This remains a key activity but to enlarge the ambit
and achieve the long-term goals, there needs to be participation and commitment to NEAR19

GOOS and respect of its function by a much wider range of national agencies of the region,
especially those to which national responsibility falls for implementing the stages of integrating
and scientific value-adding (e.g., technology development, modelling, validation, productdevelopment). The task has several elements:•

Raising Awareness. This might be initiated by visits and informational presentations by
NEAR-GOOS Steering Committee members to targeted national organizations that might
already be users of NEAR-GOOS data but do not see it as part of a mutually supportive
system;•

Vectored workshops and symposia. To raise the interest of working scientists, meetings
should be arranged at different national venues (the WESTPAC Scientific Symposia are aprime example) on topics that indicate a path to the NEAR-GOOS-labelled Projects (see2.4.3). NEAR-GOOS should also maintain its participation in GOOS regional forums as ameans of informing the ocean observing community.

•

Exploring user needs from the perspective of project-implementing bodies and scientists to
identify observing priorities and critical variables for these bodies to be incorporated in the
NEAR-GOOS data suites. This point has particular relevance to Coastal NEAR-GOOS
projects.

•

Publications. It is important to keep the scientific and ocean observing community
continually informed of the NEAR-GOOS activities and products. These should be technicaland specific in content (see 2.4.4.1.1 above) and capable of incorporation in international lists
and inventories.

2.4.4.2 Capacity-building and training
NEAR-GOOS, through its partner agencies, has maintained an active programme oftraining and information-sharing events. Its major component is IOC/WESTPAC Training
Course on NEAR-GOOS Data Management which has been carried out by Japan (JODC) for ten
years.
For the second phase, it has
been proposed that excepting data
management, the scope of training
courses could be widened. For
example, training could include
methods and technology or otherfields directly related to NEARGOOS activities. Also, NEAR-GOOS
workers might benefit from a smallscale workshop related to NEARGOOS capacity building.
In general, it appears that the main thrust should be a comprehensive forward action plan for
training in the second phase that:20

1.

Anticipates new needs emerging from the enlarged data management tasks andresponsibilities and the demands of new Pilot Projects, including technological advances

2.

Evaluates the personnel requirements of the participating national organizations to take on
new NEAR-GOOS-related work and builds these requirements into a ‘vectored’ or focussed
series of training courses or workshops

3.

Takes account of the basic training needs of new participants and national agencies in
NEAR-GOOS and other regional data-gathering and data-using projects (such as might arise
from SEAGOOS or Pacific GOOS) and build these needs into introductory courses

4.

Identifies suitable training programs from potential partner organizations that may offer the
NEAR-GOOS community opportunities to learn about specific aspects pertinent to NEARGOOS functioning, to increase the value and effect of the training provided.

The development of such an action plan should be a primary task for the WG for Outreach
Projects.

21

3． Financial Resources
For NEAR-GOOS to expand its scope, resources additional to those committed presently
by the participating agencies will be required. The new structure, arranged in terms of ‘pilot
projects and experiments’, should assist in attracting sponsors who are interested in specificactivities while enabling them to control the extent and duration of their commitment to theoverall framework of NEAR-GOOS.

3.1 Consolidating governmental investment in NEAR-GOOS
Of great importance in securing resources for the continuation and expansion from a pilot
experiment to an ongoing operational regional system is the interest and confidence ofgovernments. If the benefits of this form of regional coordination and integration are to berealized, governments need to be aware of them and develop national positions concerning theirsupport in the intergovernmental arena and in the pursuit of international conventions and treaties.
There is much current interest (especially in the global change context) paid to theimportance of observing systems. This recognition needs to be selectively followed forward
where possible toward the advancement of NEAR-GOOS goals. Some feasible approaches are:•Ensure that the delegations of Partner countries to intergovernmental bodies are kept
informed of NEAR-GOOS initiatives and developments.
The international GOOS
organization can provide complementary action;•

Invite high level governmental representation when holding NEAR-GOOS meetings andsymposia;•

Ensure that a brief and up-to-date hand-out sheet outlining the goals and activities of NEARGOOS is always available;•

Involve the scientific media at the start of any noteworthy new initiative;•

Using direct personal contact, recruit the interest of the heads of the NEAR-GOOS partner
agencies and inform them not only of successes but also of difficulties being encountered.

3.2 Drawing on resources from participating Partner countries
National agency objectives are sometimes necessarily narrowly focussed. To draw
resources for any new NEAR-GOOS project, confidence must be won specifically in terms of
relevance, feasibility, efficiency and effectiveness.
Commitments will always be made primarily in the national interest, but nevertheless they
may be acceptable in terms of NEAR-GOOS providing there is alignment with GOOS Principles
such as access and standards of quality. Reciprocal benefit will arise from global information andexpertise applied to the solution of local problems.
Project-specific meetings and workshops (to which national specialists and representativesof the targeted user groups or industries are invited) are an effective starting mechanism to22

develop understanding and appreciation of how projects can be applied to local and regional
problems.
Thus an essential part of the strategy for the implementation of pilot projects should be theconvening of such meetings, followed by direct approaches to relevant national agencies and/or
industries for commitment. It is appropriate that the WESTPAC Regional Office should be called
upon to assist in organising these meetings, and to find international resources where required.

3.3 Assistance by international organizations
The international GOOS infrastructure can assist by supporting the participation ofinternational experts, and during the implementation of the pilot projects by assisting the sharing
models, information and techniques. The international community can also assist in training of
personnel and capacity building, to yield benefit for the programme overall.

Organizations such as IODE and J-COMM, which are supported by nations through theircontributions to the IOC and WMO, can also be called upon as part of their mandate to assist
NEAR-GOOS projects and can facilitate the secondment of personnel and the use of national
facilities to carry out parts of the projects. The WGs of Pilot Projects should be encouraged tonegotiate with these bodies to enlarge the resources for implementation and to gain visibility andstanding of the projects in the international arena.

3.4 Industrial support
Industries in many forms (agribusiness, energy, insurance, fisheries, construction,
telecommunications and so on) may be not only users of GOOS products and services but also
providers of GOOS data, information, products, and services. NEAR-GOOS should welcome
their involvement and give attention totheir advice and requirements.
Without
directindustrial
relevance, cash support is unlikely.
Efforts to build links to industry should
be carefully targeted on selectedcompanies who are major users ofmarine information in the main sectors:
oil and gas; shipping; fisheries;
23

construction; telecommunications; and insurance.
Some industries (fisheries in particular) maintain their own data-gathering networks, A
primary goal should be to persuade such industries to contribute their holdings of often highly
localised data to NEAR-GOOS databases, which can offer advantages in low-cost archiving andretrieval. In accepting such data NEAR-GOOS centres would seek to ensure that the data were
provided along with appropriate metadata (information regarding the collection of the data),
appropriate quality assurance, and freedom of distribution.
At present, commercial shipping and fishing operations provide access to ships for thecollection of marine information through the J-COMM Ship of Opportunity Programme (SOOP)
and the WMO Voluntary Observing Ship (VOS)
programme. Regional industries could in similar fashion
contribute at little cost or inconvenience to NEARGOOS projects. The Ferry-box project is a good
example.
An advantage to service industries and their users in supporting NEAR-GOOS is that this
could, with strategic development, provide the basis for the creation of advanced commercial
services and products that are beyond present capabilities.

244． References
1.

The GOOS Principles (last updated
http://ioc.unesco.org/goos/princip.htm

16

January1999),

available:

2.

IOC Oceanographic Data Exchange policy: IOC Reports of Governing and Major
Subsidiary Bodies, Twenty-second Session of the Assembly, Paris, 24 June – 2 July
2003, (IOC-XXII/3) UNESCO, Annex II, Resolution XXII-6, p7.

3.

GOOS Regional Policy; IOC Reports of Governing and Major Subsidiary Bodies,
IOC-WMO-UNEP Committee for the Global Ocean Observing System (I-GOOS-VI),
Sixth Session, 10-14 March 2003, Paris, France, GOOS Report No 130, UNESCO
2003, Annex VII

4.

GOOS, (last updated: 27 November, 2002), North-East Asia Regional GOOS
[Online], available: http://ioc.unesco.org/goos/NEAR-GOOS/NEAR-GOOS.htm [22March, 2004].

5.

IOC/WESTPAC Co-ordinating Committee for the North-East Asian Regional
Global Ocean Observing System (NEAR-GOOS) Seventh Session, Vladivostok,
Russian Federation, 2-4 October 2002, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
Reports of Meetings of Experts and Equivalent Bodies GOOS Report 132, UNESCO

6.

IOC/WESTPAC Co-ordinating Committee for the North-East Asian Regional
Global Ocean Observing System (NEAR-GOOS) Eighth Session, Beijing, People’s
Republic of China, 8-10 December 2003, Intergovernmental Oceanographic
Commission Reports of Meetings of Experts and Equivalent Bodies GOOS Report 137,
UNESCO

7.

IOC/WESTPAC Co-ordinating Committee for the North-East Asian Regional
Global Ocean Observing System (NEAR-GOOS) Ninth Session, Sendai, Japan, 3-5
November 2004, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Reports of Meetingsof Experts and Equivalent Bodies GOOS Report 157, UNESCO

8.

IOC/WESTPAC Co-ordinating Committee for the North-East Asian Regional
Global Ocean Observing System (NEAR-GOOS) Tenth Session, Busan, Republic ofKorea, 16-18 January 2006, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Reports of
Meetings of Experts and Equivalent Bodies GOOS Report 158, UNESCO

9.

IOC/WESTPAC Co-ordinating Committee for the North-East Asian Regional
Global Ocean Observing System (NEAR-GOOS) Eleventh Session, Bangkok,
Thailand, 18-19 January 2007, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Reportsof Meetings of Experts and Equivalent Bodies GOOS Report 160, UNESCO

25

Annex 1: The GOOS Principles
These are detailed and explained in Reference 1

I. Design principles
1.

GOOS is based on a plan designed to meet defined objectives on the basis of userneeds.

2.

The design assumes that contributions to GOOS are long term.

3.

The design will be reviewed regularly.

4.

The design allows for flexibility of technique.

5.

GOOS is directed towards global problems and/or those ubiquitous problems benefiting fromglobal observing systems.

6.

The design covers the range from data capture to end products and services.

7.

The management, processing and distribution of data will follow a specified data policy.

8.

The design takes into account the existence of systems outside GOOS that can contribute to
and/or benefit from GOOS.

9.

The design takes into account quality assurance procedures.

II. Principles of involvement
1. Contributions to GOOS will be compliant with plans developed and agreed on the basis of the
Design Principles.
2. Contributions will be compliant with a defined GOOS data policy.
3. Contributions should reflect intent for sustained observations.
4. Standards of quality will apply to GOOS contributions.
5. Implementation will be effected using existing national and international systems andorganizations where appropriate.
6. Implementation will be incremental and progressive, bearing in mind the long-term goals.
7. Participation in GOOS implies an undertaking to help less-developed countries to participate
and benefit.
8. Participants will have full autonomy in the management of their contributions to GOOS.
9. Contributing nations and organizations will reserve the right to determine and limit theircontributions to GOOS.

10. Use of the GOOS 'label' implies conformity with the relevant principles of GOOS.

26

Annex 2: The IOC Oceanographic Data Exchange Policy(Endorsed at the twenty-second Session of the IOC Assembly, Paris, July 2003, see Ref 2)
Preamble
The timely, free and unrestricted international exchange of oceanographic data is essential
for the efficient acquisition, integration and use of ocean observations gathered by the countriesof the world for a wide variety of purposes including the prediction of weather and climate, theoperational forecasting of the marine environment, the preservation of life, the mitigation ofhuman-induced changes on the marine and coastal environment, as well as for the advancementof scientific understanding that makes this possible.
Recognizing the vital importance of these purposes to all humankind and the important role of
IOC and its programmes in this regard, the Member States of the Intergovernmental
Oceanographic Commission agree that the following clauses shall define their policy for theinternational exchange of oceanographic data and its associated metadata.

Clause 1
Member States shall provide timely, free and unrestricted access to all data, associatedmetadata and products generated under the auspices of IOC programmes.

Clause 2
Member States are encouraged to provide timely, free and unrestricted access to data andassociated metadata from non-IOC programmes that are essential for application to thepreservation of life, beneficial public use and protection of the ocean environment, the forecastingof weather, the operational forecasting of the marine environment, the monitoring and modellingof climate and sustainable development in the marine environment.

Clause 3
Member States are encouraged to provide timely, free and unrestricted access tooceanographic data and associated metadata, as referred to in 1 and 2 above, for non-commercial
use by the research and education communities, provided that any products or results of such use
shall be published in the open literature without delay or restriction.

Clause 4
With the objective of encouraging the participation of governmental and non-governmental
marine data gathering bodies in international oceanographic data exchange and maximizing thecontribution of oceanographic data from all sources, this Policy acknowledges the right ofMember States and data originators to determine the terms of such exchange, in a mannerconsistent with international conventions, where applicable.
27

Clause 5
Member States shall, to the best practicable degree, use data centres linked to IODE’s
NODC and WDC network as long-term repositories for oceanographic data and associatedmetadata.
IOC programmes will cooperate with data contributors to ensure that data can be accepted
into the appropriate systems and can meet quality requirements.

Clause 6
Member States shall enhance the capacity in developing countries to obtain and manage
oceanographic data and information and assist them to benefit fully from the exchange ofoceanographic data, associated metadata and products. This shall be achieved through the nondiscriminatory transfer of technology and knowledge using appropriate means, including IOC’s
Training Education and Mutual Assistance (TEMA) programme and through other relevant IOC
programmes.

Definitions‘Free and unrestricted’ means non-discriminatory and without charge. “Without charge”, in thecontext of this resolution means at no more than the cost of reproduction and delivery, withoutcharge for the data and products themselves.
‘Data’ consists of oceanographic observation data, derived data and gridded fields.
‘Metadata’ is "data about data" describing the content, quality, condition, and othercharacteristics of data.
‘Non-commercial’ means not conducted for profit, cost-recovery or re-sale.
‘Timely’ in this context means the distribution of data and/or products, sufficiently rapidly to beof value for a given application‘Product’ means a value-added enhancement of data applied to a particular application.

28

Annex 3: Terms of Reference for the NEAR-GOOS
Coordinating Committee
These terms of reference were affirmed at the seventh meeting of the Coordinating
Committee (Vladivostok, 2002, Ref 5), Resolution SC-WESTPAC-NEAR-GOOS-VII.1

REVISED TERMS OF REFERENCE
As part of the revised organizational structure for NEAR-GOOS in its second phase, theNEAR-GOOS Coordinating Committee will operate with the following general Terms ofReference:

Composition:
The Committee shall consist of representatives of all member countries. Each country shalldesignate two members, preferably with one person coming from the operational
meteorological/oceanographic community. The Committee shall elect a Chairperson among themembers. The Chairperson of the Coordinating Committee will act as NEAR-GOOS Coordinator.
The Committee shall meet to the extent possible in regular annual sessions at the expense of theparticipating countries. Other countries and appropriately affiliated organizations can attend thesessions as observers.
In case a Member is unable to attend, his or her government will try to send a suitablereplacement, so that there is continuity of representation.

Responsibilities:a) Coordinate the development of applications in operational oceanography that demonstrate theusefulness of regional collaboration;b) Encourage the increase the volume of quality-controlled data available to the NEAR-GOOS
Community through the respective national and regional databases, where possible with thesmallest time delay possible;c) Inventory and analyse existing activities relevant to NEAR-GOOS including operational
systems and programmes, organizations, scientific programmes, services and products,
commercial interests, and training and capacity building;d) Coordinate to produce integrated comprehensive data sets and data products that conform to
the principle of end-to-end data management;e) Prepare a NEAR-GOOS Strategic Plan that highlights the direction of NEAR-GOOS over the
next five years that incorporates the economic, social and environmental protection needs ofthe region with a clear approach to enhancing the coordinating mechanism of NEAR-GOOS;f) Publicise and disseminate NEAR-GOOS plans and information to regional governments andthe general public;29g) Recommend scientific and technical activities to support NEAR-GOOS implementation bycoordinating new pilot projects and providing linkages to existing projects and programmes;h) Produce guiding documents for the near real time data collection and exchange in the NEARGOOS region;i)

Advise and consider sources of funding for pilot project development with various funding
agencies and in consultation with pilot project leaders;j)

Liaison with national NEAR-GOOS committees, J-COMM, GOOS Project Office and other
GOOS-related bodies as appropriate;k) Develop linkages with existing relevant organizations, programmes and projects in the region.

30

Annex 4: Draft General Terms of Reference for ProjectWorking Groups (WGs)
As part of the revised organizational structure for NEAR-GOOS in its second phase, a WG
will be created for each Pilot Project or Experiment to provide leadership and technical guidancein its implementation. To facilitate the preparation of a proposal to develop a NEAR-GOOS
project, a WG may be created in advance of implementation.
The following are the general Terms of Reference for the WGs. These may be adapted orrefined for the specific requirements with the approval of the NEAR-GOOS Coordinating
Committee.

Composition:
Representatives of one or more of the participating agencies or organizations selected fortheir technical expertise in the subject area and/or mandated authority to represent eachorganization concerned. Membership may change by consensus and representatives need not bemembers of the participating agencies

Chair:
A chairperson, selected from the representatives by consensus, for a term mutually agreed,
who will be responsible for representing the Sub-committee and reporting to the CC.

Responsibilities:(i)

Develop and maintain detailed design, implementation and action plans for the project, as
required.

(ii)

Facilitate negotiation between the participating bodies, as required.

(iii)

Determine resource requirements and propose plans to gain resources(iv)

Organize meetings and workshops to develop common plans and goals and to recruit
partners.

(v)

Advise the CC as required on the project, including resourcing and difficulties andrecommend actions to facilitate progress31

Annex 5: Specific Objectives of the Database Pilot Projecta) Seek optimal monitoring and observation strategies in terms of spatial and temporal coverage(platform location and frequency) through coordination at the national level and international
level, and the introduction of innovative methods of data gathering (e.g. new sensors, joint
platforms, ferry boat monitoring, modelled data, remote sensing and automated buoy systems
or an integrated approach);b) Assess the feasibility of the inclusion of critical environmental and ecosystem parameters for
operational purposes; establish demonstration projects in these fields;c) Provide ground truthing data for operational remote sensing to the extent possible;d) Establish a coordinating mechanism or platform to facilitate the development of generic suiteof basic data products, including inter alia:•

encouraging the creation of NEAR-GOOS-labelled projects directed to the generationof specific value-adding data services and/or specialist products and introducing andpromoting the use of new methods and technology;e) Stimulate the use of Quality Assurance/Quality Control standards and protocols, preferably
through harmonization of existing technologies, joint development of new standards, andcalibration exercises;f) Providing a focus for data and information preservation and archiving;g) Further develop and improve as required the existing data exchange mechanism introducing
the concept of merged and combined data sets, including version control;h) Pursue end-to-end data management with particular emphasis on (near-) real-time processingof data for operational applications;i)(attempt) to reduce the delay in data transmission from data collection to their use in specificapplications;j)Where possible, encourage the use of a meta data standard, giving insight in the quality
assurance procedures used, data sampling, long term data availability and other necessary
elements to enable interdisciplinary use of data among the data providers taking into account
IODE initiatives;k) Conduct a needs assessment for capacity building in NEAR-GOOS and develop the future
capacity building programmes suitable for those needs.
l)Provide, on behalf of the participating agencies, a centralised, effective and balanced
response to national and international bodies on data management issues; and,m) Provide unified feedback and reporting in I-GOOS and other international forums on behalfof the NEAR-GOOS members.

32Annex 6: Representative NEAR-GOOS Pilot Projects
1. Data and Information Management Projects
IOC established the Global Oceanographic Data Archaeology and Rescue (GODAR)
Project in 1993. GODAR seeks to increase the volume of historical oceanographic data available
to climate change and other researchers by locating ocean profile and plankton data sets not yet indigital form, digitising these data and ensuring their submission to national data centres, and theworld Data Centre System.
The importance of promoting the GODAR program in the region was recognized at theInternational Conference for the International Data & Information Exchange in the WESTPAC
region 1999 (ICIWP'99) held in Langkawi, Malaysia, Nov. 1999 and the IODE Committee
approved the GODAR-WESTPAC as a regional sub-project of the GODAR at its 16th Session of
the IODE Committee in Lisbon, Portugal, November 2000.
JODC has been acting as a coordinating agency for this project. The 3rd International
Workshop for GODAR-WESTPAC held inTokyo, Japan, 4 to 6 December 2006
appreciated the achievements made on
GODAR-WESTPAC, and recognized theneed to continue the rescue activity. The
workshop encouraged the member states
continue its effort to rescue and archive
historical oceanographic data. A follow-up
activity to the GODAR-WESTPAC project
was suggested as one of the activities of apilot project of Ocean Data and Information Network for the Western Pacific region (ODINWESTPAC). The decision of the NEAR-GOOS CC members at its 11th Session was to request
the IOC/WESTPAC Secretariat to take necessary action for adoption of the ODIN-WESTPAC
pilot project proposal and to invite all NEAR-GOOS participating member states to take part in
the pilot project when approved.

2. Satellite remote sensing
During the last decade, satellite measurements of sea surface temperature have matured
considerably and several instruments provide
unprecedented daily views of the structure anddynamics of the ocean surface with astonishingaccuracy. New microwave instruments are now
entering service, providing global measurements thatare free from the corrupting influence of clouds andstratospheric aerosols (contaminants that haveperpetually frustrated infrared measurements fromspace). Global networks of moored and drifting buoys
report in situ sea surface temperature in real time via
33satellite link and the Global Telecommunications System. In situ radiometer systems, providing
precise measurements of the surface skin temperature, capable of autonomous deployment aboard
commercial ships for extended periods are emerging, promising for the first time, the possibilityof an extensive data resource for the proper validation of sea surface temperatures from infrared
satellite sensors.
While the measurement of even such a basic variable as sea surface temperature,
fundamental challenges remain. Satellite sea surface temperature products are of varied heritage,assembled using many different approaches and algorithms, often with considerable duplicationof effort in different countries. Extensive data sets are derived from multiple sensors, sampling atdifferent times of the day and thus introducing regional and temporal biases associated with
diurnal stratification of the upper ocean. In some cases, precessing satellite orbits compound thisproblem, although little progress has been made to address these effects. In practice, the accuracy,
sensitivity, and sampling resolution of global sea surface temperature products is far from optimal.
All these issues present worthwhile challenges for scientific development in the NEARGOOS context.
An Ocean Remote Sensing Programme (ORSP: Programme Leader, H. Kawamura) has
been established as one of the science programmes in the WESTPAC-V in August 2002, and twoprojects are now active under the ORSP. New Generation Sea Surface Temperature Project(NGSST-P: Project Leader, H. Kawamura) is one of the projects and its goal is to generate new
SST products responding to the above-mentioned regional needs. A better combination of remotesensing measurements and regional in situ observation systems need to be investigated to achievesustainable generation of the new SST products. A strategic design plan and implementation
procedure were discussed and determined by the initial members in early 2003.

During the second phase an opportunity exists for this programme to be complemented
by, or combined with a NEAR-GOOS Pilot project that brings in researchers from thePartner agencies.
3. Coastal NEAR-GOOS
GOOS has recently released the ‘Integrated Strategic Design Plan for the Coastal
Observations Module of the Global Ocean Observing System’(IOC Information Documents Series No 1183, 2003). Thisaddresses the difficult task of defining the approach to integrated
and systematic observations in the coastal zone. It acknowledges
the key role that GOOS Regional Alliances such as NEAR-GOOS
will have in ensuring both the regional relevance of observations
and their incorporation in an integrated system.
It is not appropriate here to reproduce the content of the
document, but to mention some salient concepts. The approach is
focussed on in situ observations with stress on the complementary
use of satellite remote sensing and hence indicates a relationship to
the IGOS projects foreshadowed in Annex 7. From a list of variables that make possible the34detection of state and the prediction of change in the coastal zone, it describes a procedure forranking of these in relation to particular purposes or functions that are specific to a region.
Such a ranking exercise could be a worthwhile exercise for NEAR-GOOS with theparticipation of all members, as an essential preliminary for the coordination of coastal
observations. This would aid common appreciation of the priorities and a multi-national‘ownership’ of the projects subsequently chosen.
The plan goes on to discuss the linking of observations with models, which is an essential
step in the fulfilment of the goals of NEAR-GOOS. It examines the kinds of models required for
different applications and addresses the organizational implications in bringing an‘observations/models’ system to an operational status.
As part of a ‘scoping’ exercise for a coastal project, NEAR-GOOS would need to undertakean analysis of this step in terms of the prospectively feasible data types and the technical andscientific capabilities of the Partners.

4. Sub-regional seas projects
These would be collaborative projects for data collection, such as ferry boxes or jointly
operated buoys or drifter programmes. The deployment of offshore monitoring platforms or
buoys is expensive, yet necessary to ‘ground truth’ remote sensing applications, and to calibrate
and validate many models. Such types of observations could well be implemented as joint
collaborative pilot experiments in which the countries share in the cost and burden for theoperation of the platforms.
The initiation of collaborative offshore ocean data gathering projects through thecooperation of the participating countries could form an essential and new contribution to GOOS.
For geopolitical and practical reasons, it may be desirable to create separate projects, each with its
own WG, for the specific marine regions, for example, the Yellow Sea Large Marine Ecosystem
Project:
This project has commenced with the participating countries China and the Republic ofKorea, and is directed to better understand how to sustain the ecosystem. Under the programme,
the DPR Korea will have a national component. At this stage it is not recognised as a NEARGOOS projectThree meetings will be held this year organized by the
CKJORC that aim at establishing an operational
oceanographic capacity in the Yellow Sea.
Following the establishment of the project office andhiring of the Programme Director, drafting will commenceon Strategic Action Programme.

355. Project towards operational forecasting
Such a project could be directed to the evolution of activities that in the first five years,
demonstrate the value of operational oceanography and, for the next phase, will become tools foran operational capability in the NEAR-GOOS region. They could include:•

Circulation modelling and forecasting. This is
still largely in a research phase, and there is adefinite need for more and especially good data
sets from across the region. Recognizing thedefined role for NEAR-GOOS in regional
coordination, the initial focus could be on basinscale circulation models for the marginal seas,with contributions from each member state as
appropriate. The time scale of forecasting will
depend on what is realistically feasible;•

Ecosystem modelling. Not much progress has yet
been made in the development of GOOS initiatives worldwide, but it is important to thestrategic development of NEAR-GOOS to incorporate at least one project directed to theacquisition and use of ecologically relevant variables.

Important considerations when prioritising activities are the ultimate utility of the product,
and the ways by which the NEAR-GOOS community can obtain and deliver good data sets.
An issue requiring resolution by the CC is whether NEAR-GOOS should focus on thedelivery of forecasting products or on the delivery of good data sets. Several observers haveindicated a preference for forecasting products in view of the regional emphasis and a need tofocus on outcomes that depend on cooperative action between the partners, which NEAR-GOOS
is uniquely designed to provide. In principle NEAR-GOOS should follow the concept of an endto-end system and therefore it is necessary to have a clear understanding of the potential users.
Ideally, NEAR-GOOS would yield generic products at the intermediate level that can be adapted,
modified and packaged for specific uses by relevant agencies and institutions (including forcommercial purposes) as appropriate.

36Annex 7: Projects with other programs and organizations
The following are representative of the possible frameworks for joint projects with otherorganizations.

1. North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES)The formal relationship between the ICES Science Board and GOOS has resulted in an
identified need to develop GOOS-type activities in the North Atlantic in collaboration with ICES
(International Council for the Exploration of the Sea). ICES and GOOS are both interested in
expanding the set of ‘pilot’ projects to other locations in the world, in particular to the North
Pacific and PICES. An obvious candidate partner is NEAR-GOOS.
Of all the international marine organizations operating in the region, PICES is probably themost multi-faceted and active potential user of NEAR-GOOS capability. It also has among its
membership, all of the NEAR-GOOS member countries. There is therefore a strong justification
for developing joint projects that exploit the respective strengths of both. For some time mutualinterests have been stressed by PICES. Noteworthy PICES activities are the TechnicalCommittee on Monitoring, Technical Committee on Data Exchange and Committee on Physical
Oceanography and Climate. It should be borne in mind that the focus of PICES is on an
ecosystem approach applied to the survival and health of the ecosystems in the North Pacificregion under the pressure of global change.
To this end PICES is a co-sponsor of the
PICES/GLOBEC Climate Change and Capacity Program and conducts a very active programmeof workshops, conferences and publications. In October 2005 an Advisory Panel for
CREAMS/PICES was established to initiate and oversee a program to study the hydrography,
circulation, and biology and their variability in East Asian Marginal Seas, effect of climate andlong-term changes in the abiotic and biotic environments of this region, and to facilitate theestablishment of permanent regional observation and data exchange networks. PICES has astrong intention to support development of GOOS in the North Pacific. For example, in thereport of PICES Study Group on GOOS in 2006 it is recommended that PICES would provide aforum for representatives of the existing North Pacific observing systems in which would be
developed cross-GRA (international) observing projects, observing technologies, and data andinformation sharing.
NEAR-GOOS is well equipped to commence a study of the climatology and variability ofthe physical dynamics of these seas, using the existing capabilities of the Database host Agencies.
With PICES as a scientifically oriented partner, there is potential both to focus on the dynamics ofclosest relevance to the ecosystems, to stimulate investigations using remote-sensed data which is(or could be) handled by the national and regional DB’s and to define additional non-physicalvariables that have the highest priority for inclusion in the NEAR-GOOS suite of collected data.
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2. Integrated Global Observing Strategy (IGOS)

IGOS is a conceptual framework for the worldwide coordination of organizations andprograms directed to improving and gaining maximum benefit from the observation of the Earth.
A particular advantage of involvement is the link it enables between in-situ observation systems
and satellite observing systems, with the objective of optimizing both systems.
IGOS is organized into ‘Themes’. The first of these created is the ‘Oceans Theme’,formulated in 1999. The Team Membership for this theme includes several of the major national
space agencies and GOOS, which represents the in-situ ocean observing system elements, while
J-COMM is responsible for in-situ implementation. The Theme has already achieved success indeveloping the transition between research and operational monitoring, with several of the space
agencies committing to support the continuation of precision ocean altimetry following the Jason1 mission.
Recently, IGOS has initiated a Coastal Theme in partnership with GOOS, the Global
Terrestrial Observing System (GTOS) and the International Geosphere-Biosphere Program(IGBP), and is seeking to integrate and coordinate observing activities in the coastal zone.
Both of these themes provide an opportunity for NEAR-GOOS to develop projects that will
open doors to collaboration with the space agencies and regional observing programmes. During
the second phase, workshops and other forums should explore the possibilities for expanding
NEAR-GOOS roles to include selected projects that exploit new capacities for remote sensing ofvulnerable regional coastal areas.

3. Northwest Pacific Action Plan (NOWPAP)The Northwest Pacific Action Plan was established in 1994 by UNEP as a component of
the Regional Seas Programme with the purpose of guiding the use and development of the marine
environment and coastal zones of (what became) the member countries of NEAR-GOOS. Amongits objectives (see http://www.nowpap.org) were:i)‘coordinating and integrating monitoring and data-gathering systems on a regional basis…’
and

ii)

‘To collate and record environmental data and information to form a comprehensive
database and information management system….’38

In particular the objectives of NOWPAP Data &Information Network Regional Activity Centre(DINRAC) are to establish a region-wide data andinformation system, comprehensive databases, and topromote regional information exchange on marine andcoastal environment. While main activities of NOWPAPSpecial Monitoring & Coastal Environmental
Assessment RAC includes developing of newmonitoring tools using remote sensing. These objectives
appear to link NOWPAP with NEAR-GOOS implicitly but directly.
Cooperation between NOWPAP and NEAR-GOOS would be expected through thecontributions of NEAR-GOOS in the scientific inputs to NOWPAP activities, enrichment ofoceanographic observation data such as marine pollution data, real time sea surface data (currents,
wind and temperature) for oil spill forecasting, and in situ data for remote sensing (Chlorophyll-a,
Suspended Solid (SS) and Colored Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM)). In turn, thecontributions from NOWPAP could be made in information databases or portal sites of DINRAC
and CEARAC, getting access of NEAR-GOOS to the Remote Sensing database of Marine
Environmental Watch Project, and the provision of training course on remote sensing. Of interestis the financial aspects of NOWPAP from which NEAR-GOOS may draw some ideas in relation
to attracting sources to fund its activities e.g. meetings and projects.

4. Joint WMO/IOC Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM)
J-COMM deals with intergovernmental coordination, regulation and management ofoperational marine meteorology and oceanography, integrated operational ocean observing
system and data management, and new products and services. It is an implementation mechanism
for global GOOS. But it needs strong regional interactions and support. NEAR-GOOS should
remain alert to opportunities for collaboration and for strategic involvement in the J-COMM
management bodies.

5. UN Development Programme/Global Environment Facility

The Global Environment Facility and the United Nations Development
Program have been launched Large Marine Ecosystem (LME) project for the
Yellow Sea and there are plans for similar project covering northern area of the
NEAR-GOOS. The five year Yellow Sea LME project aims to protect marine
environment and sustainable use of marine and coastal resources, throughpreparation and development of the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA),
Strategic Action Programme (SAP), and pilot implementation of SAP. In this39

process, data and information on fisheries, biodiversity, pollutants and ecosystem structure andfunction should be collected in a special database to provide the baseline assessment of Yellow
Sea ecosystem status. In this case NEAR-GOOS could serve as a major provider of basic data for
YSLME members to develop their specific information products, while YSLME Database,through the link to NEAR-GOOS, would provide data and metadata on the Yellow Sea and East
China Sea. Formal cooperation with YSLME project had been established through a
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which was signed at the Third Meeting of Project
Steering Committee of YSLME on 23 November 2006. The MoU states that cooperation on thedata and information link was agreed upon as one of the areas of common interests.

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