Future observational and modelling needs identified on the basis of the existing shelf data

Abstract

NOWESP has compiled a vast quantity of existing data from the north-west European shelf. Such a focused task is without precedence. It is now highly recommended that one, or a few national and international data centres or agencies should be chosen and properly supported by the E. U., where all available observational data, incl. the NOWESP data, are collected, stored, regularly updated by the providers of the data, and made available to the researchers. International agreement must be reached on the quality control procedures and quality standards for data to be stored in these data bases. Proper arrangements should be made to preserve the economic value of the data for their “owners” without compromising use of the data by researchers or duplicating data collecting efforts.