GODAE OceanView: From an Experiment Towards a Long-Term International Ocean Analysis and Forecasting Program

Abstract

Over the past 10 years, GODAE (Global Ocean Data Assimilation Experiment) through its International GODAE Steering Team (IGST) has coordinated and facilitated the development of global and regional ocean forecasting systems and has made excellent progress. GODAE as an experiment has ended in 2008. Its final symposium (Nice, November 12-15, 2008) allowed us to review the key achievements of the last 10 years and to discuss the future of operational ocean analysis and forecasting and proposals for its international coordination (GODAE Final Symposium Proceedings, 2009 [1] ). Main issues are summarized hereafter. Although there are still major challenges to face, global operational oceanography now needs to transition from a demonstration to a permanent and sustained capability. Most GODAE groups have or are now transitioning towards operational or pre-operational status. GODAE systems are also evolving to satisfy new requirements (e.g. for coastal zone and ecosystem monitoring and forecasting, climate monitoring) and must benefit from scientific advances in ocean modeling and data assimilation. In order to ensure the required long-term international collaboration and cooperation on these issues, an international program on ocean analysis and forecasting systems called GODAE OceanView has been set up. Through its science team, GODAE OceanView will provide international coordination and leadership in:  The consolidation and improvement of global and regional analysis and forecasting systems (physics)  The progressive development and scientific testing of the next generation of systems covering biogeochemical and eco-systems and extending from the open ocean into the shelf sea and coastal waters.  The exploitation of this capability in other applications (weather forecasting, seasonal and decadal prediction, climate change detection and its coastal impacts, etc).  The assessment of the contribution of the various components of the observing system and scientific guidance for improved design and implementation of the ocean observing system. This is of particular relevance to OceanObs09. The GODAE OceanView science team (GOVST) will provide a forum where the main operational and research institutions involved in global ocean analysis and forecasting can develop collaborations and international coordination of their activities. It will include scientists from the main operational systems, scientific experts with expertise in specific fields (e.g. observation, modeling and data assimilation) and representatives of key observing systems. Its core activity is related to modeling and data assimilation. Some of the GODAE OceanView objectives will be pursued through a series of Task Teams (e.g. Intercomparison and Validation, Observing System Evaluation, Coastal Ocean and Shelf Seas, Marine Ecosystem Monitoring and Prediction, etc). These teams will address specific topics that require active collaboration with international research programs (e.g. OOPC (Ocean Observations Panel for Climate), CLIVAR (Climate Variability and Predictability), IMBER (Integrated Marine Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Research), and WCRP (World Climate Research Program)). Operational aspects related to product harmonization and standardization and links with JCOMM (Joint Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology) will be established through the JCOMM ET-OOFS (Expert Team for Operational Ocean Forecast Systems).