SIBER SPIS sept 2011.pdf - IMBER

SIBER
Science Plan and Implementation Strategy
In s i t u o b s e r v a t i o n s a n d p o t e n t i a l f o r
l e v e r a g i n g e x i s t i n g i n f r as t r u c t u r e
Dat a mi n i n g
In terms of in situ observations, the obvious starting point is to identify and compile existing
sources of information. Some potential data sources for the IO include the INCOIS (Indian
National Centre for Ocean Information Services, which currently provides open access to
the IO Argo float database), the NIO (National Institute of Oceanography) cruise program,
WAMSI (Western Australia Marine Science Institution), WAIMOS (Western Australia’s
Integrated Marine Observing System), ASCLME (Agulhas and Somali Currents Large Marine
Ecosystem Project), ACEP (African Coelacanth Ecosystem Programme), BOBLME (Bay of
Bengal Large Marine Ecosystem Project) and SANCOR (South African Network for Coastal
and Oceanic Research). However, many of these data sources do not include higher trophic
level observations (Kyewalyanga et al., 2007; Pearce et al., 2006). The WAIMOS data sets will
soon be publicly available and will include drifter, glider and radar-based observations.
In addition, data mining efforts need to be undertaken to look at long-term trends in physical
and biological fields in the past in much the same way that is advocated above for satellite
measurements. Historical data from IO expeditions are available from the International Indian
Ocean Expedition (1960-1965). Extensive data sets have also been collected by Russian
expeditions. These data should be mined, compiled and combined into consistent, formatted
electronic data sets. Data are also available from a series of international studies including
the Netherlands Indian Ocean Program (NIOP, 1992-1993) and JGOFS in the mid-1990s. A
compilation of IO data, including hydrographic and biological observations is available from
the NIO data center.
Efforts should also be made to identify existing data sets and studies in the ITF region and in
the vicinity of Christmas Island. For example, CSIRO carried out a number of research cruises
to Christmas Island in the 1960s and 70s. What specific measurements were taken and what
was the sampling regime Have these data been archived and are they available to provide an
historical baseline for new research efforts in this region Researchers involved in ITF studies
(e.g. S. Wijffels, G. Meyers, A. Gordon) should be contacted to determine the kinds of ongoing
research in the ITF, their relevance and potential for being leveraged and augmented as part
of SIBER-related efforts. Have any biogeochemical and/or ecological studies been carried out
in association with these physical oceanographic studies Similarly, Dutch research activities
conducted in these waters in collaboration with Indonesia need to be identified.
Coa s t a l mo n i t o r i n g an d ob s e r v a t i o n s
All regional studies motivated as a part of SIBER should target and build upon existing research
infrastructure. Australia’s IMOS is an obvious example of a nationally-based observing system
that is deploying high-technology sampling devices for making routine observations in its IO
coastal zone. Amongst other things, the Australian IMOS program, particularly WAIMOS, is
deploying long-term combined biological/physical moorings in shallow (< 200m) waters off the
south, west and northwest coasts of western Australia. These will be serviced monthly via a
combination of Australian, Commonwealth and state funding, including ship time contributions
from direct stakeholders such as the Department of Fisheries, Western Australia and CSIRO,
and could potentially be augmented with additional biogeochemical sensors. Investigations
utilizing the data from this fixed infrastructure would benefit greatly from an international effort
that focused on complementary ship-based observations in the region. Additional examples
include the Dutch mooring array in the Mozambique Channel that has been deployed to
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