Introduction
MAMA - The Mediterranean
network to Assess and upgrade Monitoring and forecasting Activity
in the region is an ongoing thematic network funded under the
EC Programme Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development within
the 5th Framework Programme. With a consortium made up of focal
institutions from all the Mediterranean countries, MAMA is staging
a concerted effort between countries in the region to put in place
the institutional linkages and regional platform to promote the
establishment of an ocean observing and forecasting system in
the region. MAMA focuses on the trans-national pooling of scientific
and technological resources in the basin, through the sharing
of experiences and the transfer of expertise, to bring capacities
in operational oceanography at comparable levels, and provide
an integrated effort towards the planning and design of the initial
ocean observing and forecasting system in the Mediterranean. Furthermore,
MAMA is interacting with all stakeholders and relevant organisations,
working in the whole basin to trigger local awareness on the benefits
of operational oceanography and ocean forecasting with dissemination
of results and demonstration products, and building momentum towards
long term commitments by governments. Within this effort MAMA
is pioneering the implementation of GOOS by an unprecedented endeavour
and novel approach that will put the region at the forefront of
operational oceanography.
MAMA is structured into several workpackages. The general objective
of Workpackage 1 (MAMA-NOW) is the stocktaking and identification
in the Mediterranean of the current regional and national capabilities
in the routine monitoring, assessment and forecasting of the state
of the ocean and coastal areas. This survey is being conducted
as one component activity of this workpackage and is intended
to collect information and to establish an inventory on operational
ocean/coastal monitoring activities in the region. The information
required in this survey will provide the basis for an assessment
of:
· the present capabilities of research institutions
in the different countries in operational oceanography
· availability of technological infrastructures and
equipment
· human resources and funding potential
· applications and product needs.
The inventory is considered to be an essential step in the identification
of the existing systems that can feasibly be networked to operate
in near-real-time, and constitutes the basis for the design of
a cost-effective observing system in the Mediterranean. The questionnaire
is structured in four sections:
A. Entry form signature
B. National requirements for the monitoring of the marine
environment
C. Description and practices of the marine monitoring activities
D. Maintenance practice
Email us on ioi-moc@capemalta.net
