National Oceanography Centre
from coast to deep ocean
Waterfront Campus, Southampton
Joseph Proudman Building, Liverpool
Implementation of observing systems in the
current financial climate
Professor Andrew J Willmott
National Capability Programmes
Long‐term ocean observing for decadal and rapid change
Technology development to measure the ocean in new ways
ways
Modelling to simulate the oceans in the earth system
Sea mapping to chart the oceans, sea floor and habitats for science and users The “NOC Association”
Direct management by NERC
under statement of delegation,
(NERC-owned, NERC accounts, NERC staff)
Stakeholders
Hosting Partners:
Universities of
Southampton and Liverpool
Associates
Delivery Partners:
In receipt of NC contracts managed
by NOC on behalf of NERC
Research Providers eligible
to receive NERC funds (Universities, Research Centres
or clusters of the above)
Partners
NERCmanaged
UK and International:
Research Users /Research Funders
(eg government, business, and 3rd sector,
wider society), Other Research Providers
Some key facts
Owned by the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
• Coast to deep sea
• Based in two sites at Southampton (headquarters) and Liverpool
• Hosting Partners - University of Southampton, University of
Liverpool
• 540 NERC staff (200 scientists and technologists)
• £35 million annual budget
• Funded by NERC, EU, Industry, Government Departments and
Agencies
• Delivery Partners in Plymouth, Scotland
• Building a wider association of Universities and Research Centres
Facilities directly managed for NERC
• Royal Research Ships, James Cook and Discovery
• National Marine Equipment Pool
• British Oceanographic Data Centre
• Permanent Service for Mean Sea-level
• British Ocean Sediment Core Research Facility
Sustained ocean observations – what IOC does to “oil the cogs”
1. Political influence….getting the ear of
government ministers
2. IOC programmes that work well – ARGO,
GLOSS
3. Programmes that don’t work so well GOOS,
including the coastal component….LACK OF
FUNDING
4. Ocean Obs 09 – EOVs are helpful concept for
further implementation of GOOS
WHAT POGO DOES WELL – AND WHAT IT DOES NOT DO WELL!
1. The founding POGO institutions had resources to conduct
sustained observations in open ocean and shelf seas – i.e.
OPERATIONAL CAPABILITY
2. Training and Education (e.g. centres of excellence, visiting
professorship programme…..thanks to Nippon Foundation
3. GEO – POGO ensured “oceans” are visible
4. POGO declarations…..low visibility
5. Mission drift
6. No strong partnership with IOC
Drivers for marine sustained observations in the UK
Howard Roe
leading
subgroup on
prioritization
of SOs
Shelf Seas – Benefits and Opportunities
Sustained observations funded by NERC
Sustained observations
•
•
•
•
Ellett
AMT
PAP
Ferrybox
Sustained Marine Observations
supported by NERC “national capability” funding
(UK Marine Area/near UK Marine Area)
Fixed Observatories
(PAP, Western Channel, Irish Sea, Tiree)
Continuous
Plankton Recorder
Repeat Sections (AMT, Ellett)
Argo floats - international
Marine Mammals (not shown)
NERC funded sustained observations on UK shelf
NOC-L – Irish Sea
Observatory
NERC funded sustained observations on UK shelf
SAMS – Tiree Passage
NERC funded sustained observations on UK shelf
PML – Western Channel
Observatory
NERC funded sustained observations on UK shelf
NOCS – Ferry Box
Marine Technology
gliders
Autosub family
New sensors
National Capability Programmes
Long‐term ocean observing
for decadal and rapid change
Technology development to measure the ocean in new ways
Modelling
to simulate the oceans in the earth system
Sea mapping
to chart the oceans, sea floor and habitats for science and users Recommendation 1 – IOC and POGO collaboration
• IOC has the political influence; POGO has the capability to
carry out sustained observations anywhere in the world
oceans…..so let’s coordinate to advance on programmes
such as GOOS and GCOSS
• Recommendation 2 – a GOOS endorsed array
1. UK has not considered GOOS in review of sustained ocean
observations….and probably in good company
2. The drivers for government funded and NERC funded ocean
observations have been noted
3. GOOS endorsed sustained observations (not a rubber
stamping exercise…) will help to develop an enduring
network….AIM TO ENDORSE AN IRREDUCIBLE
ARRAY…..there throughout good and bad economic times