It is trying to understand the high-latitude oceans' steering role in decadal climate variability. There are changes in the NAO that clearly have global significance, e.g., the NAO has amplified and has developed a decadal aspect. The Denmark Straits overflow is a major contributor to North Atlantic Deep Water, but requires substantial additional study. It was suggested that shelf-basin interactions is the main oceanic question for the Arctic Ocean. There are initiatives underway or being planned in both Europe and the U.S. and it is important to increase communications between the American efforts in the Chukchi Sea and the efforts in the Atlantic side.
German scientists are interested and involved in shelf-basin interactions.
Canadian scientists are looking at the interaction between the Arctic Basin and both the Atlantic and Pacific. A group of scientists from many countries is looking at fjords and their contribution to the oceans across the shelves. It appears that a scientific program in this area which endorses a broad range of cooperation in shelf-basin interactions could assist in opening up a number of opportunities. The Board asked the Steering Group to review the overall issue of Arctic data management and to explore ways in which the AOSB might assist in this area. The Steering Group noted that the Board had earlier suggested that the potential value of use of the Internet be considered and that the Board had agreed at this Meeting that the AOSB website should include national reports based on the reports prepared and submitted annually for Board Meetings.