Description: With increasing applications of new Information and Communication Technology (ICT), data management and dissemination over the Internet become more feasible, enabling a wide range of user communities to easily get access to data, data products and information. In this context, at its 22nd assembly in 2003, Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC) approved to implement a review of the International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange (IODE) by a review group. The Review Group stated that the system of Responsible National Oceanographic Data Centres (RNODCs) of IODE is not well understood, with the exception of the RNODC for WESTPAC" (operated by Japan Oceanographic Data Centre, Japan), Drifting Buoys Data (operated by Marine Environmental Data Service, Canada) and JAISN (operated by British Oceanographic Data Centre, United Kingdom), which were considered to work well. The Review Group recommended (and IODE-XVIII agreed in 2005) to abolish the RNODC system. " IODE-XVIII further requested that, where available, National Oceanographic Data Centres (NODCs) participating in Ocean Data and Information Networks (ODIN) assume the functions of former RNODCs. In the particular case of WESTPAC# IODE-XVIII commended that good work of the RNODC has been implemented, and instructed the IODE Officers to identify a mechanism to maintain the functionality of the IODE Regional Coordinator for the WESTPAC region. The Committee further requested the 6th Session of IOC/WESTPAC Session to consider the establishment of an ODIN network for the region. Following the conclusions of IODE-XVIII, a proposal to establish ODIN in the WESTPAC region was presented in the sixth session of the IOC Regional Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific, IOC/WESTPAC-VI (Nha Trang, Vietnam, May 2005). The IOC/WESTPAC-VI decided to establish an inter-sessional working group that will study the issue and adopted a resolution in this regard. According to the resolution, SC-WESTPAC-VI.2, Inter-sessional Working Group (IWG) was organized in August 2005 which consisted of representatives from interested member states and related organizations specified in the resolution. The IWG was requested to develop Terms of Reference (ToR), mode of operation, work plan and budget for 2006. Under the chairmanship of Japan (Mr. Teruo Kanazawa), further discussions have been made among the IWG members and draft general objectives for ODINWESTPAC have been prepared. The general objectives of ODINWESTPAC, if established, will be a project of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission to promote international cooperation on marine data and information management in the WESTPAC region. A work plan for the establishment of ODINWESTPAC has been prepared by correspondence, and circulated to the member states for comments, and then a preparatory meeting for the establishment of ODINWESTPAC was held in conjunction with the 3rd International workshop on GODAR-WESTPAC, 4-6 December 2006, Japan.

Description: Supported by IOC/IODE

Description: Document available in English

Description: Through the Cooperative Study of the Kuroshio and Adjacent Regions (CSK) program during 1965–1979, the capacities of current member states (MSs) of the Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) were enhanced with regard to regional ocean science and data management. Following the termination of the CSK in 1979, each MS continued the work to advance ocean science. The results of scientific studies of the Kuroshio and its adjacent regions have been published by various experts including many from the MSs of the WESTPAC; however, to-date, there has been no systematic approach to the research of the Kuroshio and its adjacent regions. This review considered the Kuroshio from the regional perspective of experts of the MSs, that is, from the perspectives of MSs, science, and the future prospects. Experts from each MS reviewed past activities and con tributions and reviewed the knowledge gaps in the fields of physical, biological, and biogeochemical science. Many scientific questions remain regarding the path of the Kuroshio from south to north, as well as associated phenomena, including mesoscale eddies and fronts, the important roles of ocean variations in adjacent regions, and the different roles and mechanisms of air–sea interactions in low- and mid-latitude areas. Despite consid erable effort by many biologists, substantial gaps remain in our biological knowledge of the region. The Kuroshio and its adjacent regions comprise one of the areas of the world with high biodiversity; however, there has been insufficient research into what is the cause of this high biodiversity. From a biogeochemical aspect, high resolution spatiotemporal observations will be required to understand interactions with physical processes both in the Kuroshio region and in the marginal seas. It has been highlighted that long-term fixed-location observations will be needed to understand the key mechanisms of biogeochemical processes, particularly in relation to climate change.

Description: From Decade Action UN24. Explore the strongest ocean current in the Western Pacific: the 2nd Cooperative Study of Kuroshio and Adjacent Regions – from its sciences to human well beings (CSK-2)

Description: Published

Description: Refereed

Description: The Draft CSK-2 Data and Information Management Plan (DIMP) was prepared by the CSK-2 Task Force on Data and Information Management Plan, which was formed as per the decision of the CSK-2 International Steering Group at its first meeting (virtual, 8 December 2021).

Description: From Decade Action UN24. Explore the strongest ocean current in the Western Pacific: the 2nd Cooperative Study of Kuroshio and Adjacent Regions – from its sciences to human well beings (CSK-2)

Description: Published

Description: Non Refereed

Description: The Draft CSK-2 Science Action Plan (SAP) was prepared by the CSK-2 Task Force on SAP Development, which was formed as per the decision of the CSK-2 International Steering Group at its first meeting (virtual, 8 December 2021).

Description: From Decade Action UN24. Explore the strongest ocean current in the Western Pacific: the 2nd Cooperative Study of Kuroshio and Adjacent Regions – from its sciences to human well beings (CSK-2)

Description: Published

Description: Non Refereed