Charting the Future Seas: OceanPrediction DCC and Copernicus Marine Service Collaboration for Sustainable Ocean Development
Key assets for Ocean forecasting
The OceanPrediction Decade Collaborative Centre (OceanPrediction DCC) is a crucial component of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, also known as the 'Ocean Decade.' Launched on June 30, 2022, during the UN Ocean Decade Forum in Lisbon.
Mercator Ocean International (MOi) was selected by the IOC-UNESCO to host the OceanPrediction DCC. The Decade aims to achieve a sustainable global ocean by 2030, closely aligning with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG14: Life Below Water. Ocean forecasting, a core mission of the DCC, plays a pivotal role in realizing the objectives of the Ocean Decade, addressing challenge 8 on the digital representation of the Ocean and outcome 4 “a predicted ocean,” with direct and indirect impacts on various other challenges and outcomes of the UN Decade.
The significance of ocean forecasting lies in the operation of a comprehensive system that combines ocean observations, numerical models, and the assimilation of observational data. Data is sourced from diverse platforms, including satellites, as well as in situ technologies like buoys and ocean research vessels. These data sets are then inputted into numerical ocean models to characterize the current state of the ocean.
Ocean forecasting is a vital tool for global ocean understanding and management, with applications spanning maritime safety, environmental protection, fisheries management, climate change response, disaster risk reduction, and beyond.
The Copernicus Marine Service empowers researchers with timely ocean information, offering free, regular updates on the Blue (physical), White (sea ice), and Green (biogeochemical) Ocean globally and regionally. The service's main physical and biogeochemistry forecasting systems provide daily and weekly 3D global ocean forecasts for 10 days, respectively. Supplied by the Global Monitoring and Forecasting Centre, these data are crucial for various marine stakeholders.
Despite the Copernicus Marine Service's European excellence, the global ocean forecasting landscape consists of technically disconnected services, hindering collaboration and tools for data validation, dissemination, and exploitation on a global level. The OceanPrediction DCC seeks to globally democratize forecasting, addressing the challenges faced by isolated services, particularly in developing countries.
Ocean prediction DCC Missions
The OceanPrediction DCC's main goal is to create a predicted ocean through a coordinated global effort within the UN Ocean Decade. Functioning as a global hub, it aims to enhance worldwide ocean prediction activities by fostering collaboration among users, scientists, and policymakers. The objectives include establishing a global ocean forecasting community through collaboration with regional teams and creating a robust global technical framework with standards, tools, and best practices. Supporting the Ocean Decade and the Digital Twin of the Ocean concept, the DCC aims to unite stakeholders and improve global ocean forecasting effectiveness through two global collaboration structures: regional teams and a global co-design team.
Copernicus Marine Service and the OceanPrediction DCC
The Copernicus Marine Service, a provider of ocean observations and forecasting data, serves as a crucial technical resource for the OceanPrediction DCC in developing global ocean forecasting systems. Leveraging the experience gained from managing the Copernicus Marine Service, the DCC aims to integrate multiple systems into a robust framework.
The OceanPrediction DCC acts as an incubator and co-design mechanism, amplifying the impact of Copernicus insights on the world’s ocean and coasts worldwide. This collaboration will result in enhanced ocean forecasting services globally, often relying on Copernicus data as essential boundary conditions.
Additionally, the Copernicus Marine Service and the OceanPrediction DCC join forces on ocean literacy and capacity building initiatives, facilitated by regional teams. This partnership encourages shared efforts and cross-fertilization, extending developments across the network. The outcomes from the DCC will enhance the outreach of Copernicus Marine Service products, contributing to strengthened global value chains.
Collaboration with the OceanPrediction community enhances the Copernicus Marine Service's visibility and role in advancing ocean forecasting globally. Initiatives like the OceanPrediction Forum highlight other global systems, fostering a healthier and more sustainable global ocean.
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