An information association fostering co-operation on the global ocean observing system between associations of marine operational and research agencies in the Black Sea and European regions

The Black Sea GOOS - Euro GOOS Memorandum of understanding

This Memorandum of understanding (to be known in brief as Black Sea GOOS - EuroGOOS MoU) serves as the initial document for cooperation between Black Sea GOOS and EuroGOOS, both of which are informal associations whose members seek to foster co-operation on the Global Ocean Observing System, respectively in the European and Black Sea regions. Both the Black Sea GOOS and EuroGOOS are established with the recognition of the importance of existing systems in research and operational oceanography at national and regional scales and both will take full advantage of the advances made mutually by each other, by other regional GOOS groups such as Med-GOOS, and by  the various GOOS design panels. By signing the MoU, parties and their member agencies agree to co-operate in promoting GOOS in the Black Sea and European regions, and to cooperate towards joint actions and interactions as needed.

In agreeing to cooperate through this MoU, Black Sea GOOS and EuroGOOS will aim to establish means for: joint international planning and implementation of GOOS on national, regional and global levels; mutually coordinating their actions related to operational oceanography, including ocean monitoring, promoting the development of the scientific, technological means to carry out joint programs and concerted actions common to their respective regions of interest, and comparatively assessing the economic and social benefits and impacts of their activities on the region as a whole. They will also aim to bring the coverage and scientific expertise to the same level in both regions, and use the synergism of their combined efforts to build a functional, cooperative network.

Noting the development of a Regional Policy by I-GOOS, the signatory parties will promote collaboration between the Regions, and with other components of GOOS, within the framework of that policy.

Joint activities of the Black Sea GOOS and EuroGOOS will be designed to foster collaboration in operational oceanography in the entire region to maximise the benefits derived from their individual activities, promoting the integration of these activities within the framework of GOOS.

Through mutual collaboration and support, Members of Black Sea GOOS and EuroGOOS will seek to:

• Promote collaboration between the existing regional multi-national agencies programmes, organizations, and initiatives having expertise in oceanography, operational systems, and remote sensing of the ocean.

• Promote collaboration between EuroGOOS, Black Sea GOOS and Med-GOOS through joint projects and activities.

• Promote comparative studies and evaluation of the economic and social benefits produced by operational oceanography in the European and Black Sea regions.

• Co-operate as appropriate with organizations concerned with rapid assessment of climate change, global environmental research and the impacts of climate variability and climate change.

• Establish joint Task Teams to address problems identified in the development of potential oceanography.

• Produce and publish syntheses of findings of meetings, workshops, etc. resulting from either coordinated or individual EuroGOOS and Black Sea GOOS activities, to enable joint interpretation of results for better understanding of scientific aspects or for evaluation of impacts.

• Co-ordinate inter-regional GOOS data acquisition based on existing regional and national data gathering under Agreements and Conventions.

• Promote development of common operational data procedures and services, including data quality control and data management for operational oceanography.

• Promote pilot studies in GOOS operations, at inter-regional and global levels.

• Promote an approach based on common Instrumentation and Technology.

• Promote the development of low cost alternatives for operational instrumentation, observing systems, data acquisition and data management systems, processing and interpretation systems, as well as for data exchange.

• Support operational oceanography and services in collaboration with public and private sector organizations, NGOs and programmes concerned with ocean technology in the Black Sea and European regions.

And  in the area of Aid and Capacity building will seek, in particular, to:

• Promote aid, technology transfer, and collaboration between Black Sea and European Countries within the framework of GOOS.

• Compensate for the socio-economic differences between the Black Sea regions through scientific collaboration, in order to build a uniform, functional network covering both regions in an effective manner.