Air-Sea Observations for a Safe Ocean

Workshop Overview

This virtual workshop brought a group together to network and brainstorm about how the UN Ocean Decade programme, Observing Air-Sea Interactions Strategy (OASIS) could contribute to a Safe Ocean. In particular, this workshop considered the role of air-sea interaction ocean observations for maritime forecasting, prediction and early warning systems within the context of Small Island Developing States (SIDS). We brought together stakeholders from SIDS, operational weather centers, observing networks, industry, NGOs and other stakeholders to share perspectives and ideas for how the Observing Air-Sea Interactions Strategy could contribute to a Safe Ocean outcome, and ultimately join the community! The talks from the workshop can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7lEVqN7cilzevgD-Ia8q01FYmWQhiY_p

Location & Date

This event is a satellite activity of the UN Ocean Decade Safe Ocean Laboratory and took place from 0:00 – 02:00 AM CEST on April 7, 2022.

Program Schedule

The Air-Sea Observations for a Safe Ocean satellite activity lasted a total of 2 hours, including a 30-minute poster/social session in Gather.town after a 1.5-hour virtual workshop.

The virtual workshop comprised three sessions, each with an invited lecture that was pre-recorded. Communication was in English. Recorded presentations are now publicly available through the OASIS YouTube channel.

Session 1- Island Nations’ to Regional to Global needs for early warning systems: Can observing systems be integrated to serve all? How can traditional knowledge of air-sea interaction be incorporated into these systems? How can recent advances in air-sea interaction observations reduce marine hazards?

Moderator: R. Venkatesan (NIOT, India)

Presenters: Evan Jones (FSU, USA), Marcus Landon Aydlett (Guam Weather Forecast Office)

Session 2- Techniques: What new cost-effective technologies may be appropriate for SIDS? How can this technology be maintained and used effectively by local SIDS citizens?

Moderator: Jérome Aucan (SPC, New Caledonia)

Presenter: Sebastien Boulay (Sofar, New Zealand)

Session 3 – Strategies: What can OASIS do to promote a Safe Ocean?

Moderator: Meghan Cronin (NOAA PMEL, USA)

Presenter: Patricia Chardón-Maldonado (CARICOOS, Puerto Rico)

The overall timing of the event (hh:mm) was as follows:

00:00 Virtual Workshop begins

00:00 – 00:30 Intro and Block 1 (Small Island Developing States’, regional, and global early warning system needs)

00:30 – 01:00 Block 2 (Technology/ Techniques)

01:00 – 01:30 Block 3 (OASIS Strategy for a Safe Ocean)

01:30 End of Virtual Workshop.

01:30 – 02:00 Networking and Posters in Gather.Town

02:00 End

The fun and interactive Gather.Town was also open for socializing and networking throughout the entire day.

Workshop Organizers

R. Venkatesan, National Institute of Ocean Technology, India

Meghan Cronin, NOAA PMEL, USA (OASIS chair)

Christa Marandino, GEOMAR, Germany (OASIS co-chair)

Clarissa Anderson, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, SCCOOS

Patricia Chardon Maldonado, University of Puerto Rico, CARICOOS

Randi Rotjan, Phoenix Islands Protected Area, Boston University

Samantha Wills, University of Washington CICOES

Workshop Speakers

Evan Jones, PhD Candidate/Research Assistant, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL

Marcus Landon Aydlett, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, National Weather Service, WFO Guam

Sebastien Boulay, Director of Business Development, Sofar Ocean Technologies, New Zealand

Patricia Chardon Maldonado, Deputy and Technical Director, Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System (CARICOOS)