Applications of tourism, transport meteorology ... - E-Library - WMO

Better assessment of ocean
renewable sources of energy
(waves, tides, ocean thermal
energy conversion optimal exploration
and exploitation.
In particular, WIOMAP will address
the following shortcomings and deficiencies
in the:
Level of expertise in marine meteorology
and oceanography;
Marine observing network;
Communication facilities for
smooth exchange of data and products;
and
Regional modelling for generating
products of practical application.
Expected outcomes
By the end of the project, it is
expected that National Meteorological
Services and oceanographic institutions
in the region will have
acquired:
Improved professional capabilities
necessary for the further development
and provision of marine products
and information;
Additional marine data, both at the
surface and subsurface as valuable
input to regional and global models
for the improvement of products;
An improved modern communication
system for the collection and
dissemination of marine data and
products in a reliable and timely
manner;
New regional marine products for
national adaptation which will be
used as inputs in various socio-economic
sectors to enhance efficiency
and production; and
As populations
increase in the
western Indian
Ocean region and
the shortage of
land for cultivation
becomes
more acute,
marine resources
will be increasingly
used as a
food supply.
(Photo: FAO/
I. De Borhegyi)
Enhanced capabilities for countries’
more active participation in
national, regional and international
marine programmes, which
is essential for their success and
timely completion.
It is expected also that the level
reached by countries and potential
regional marine centres, in terms of
equipment and trained manpower,
will be high enough to ensure selfsustainability.
Beneficiaries
At the national level, the main target
groups and activities to benefit
directly from the project through
improved marine information and
services are:
Policy- and decision-makers in
marine environmental management;
Government institutions and
organisations involved in maritime
activities such as environmental
departments, shipping,
port authorities, oil companies
and ship routeing;
Meteorological Services for
improved weather forecasts and
warnings at sea to save life and
property;
Institutions involved in regional climate
forecasting to improve local
and regional climate forecasts for
early warning systems—for
cyclones, drought and flooding—for
better agricultural and waterresources
planning and management,
and hence food security;
Oceanographic institutions to promote
the development of operational
oceanography;
Oceanographers for research work;
Coastal development and management
for optimum exploration and
exploitation of resources, including
ocean energy, tourism, sand mining
and addressing the problem of
coastal erosion;
Fisheries management to rationalize
activities and minimize the depletion
of stocks; and
Marine pollution monitoring and protection
of the marine environment.
115