We would like to let you know about the call for expert nominations for the Author Team for the Atlantic Ocean Observing System Blueprint 2019. The rationale for developing the Blueprint, to be delivered for the OceanObs19 conference, is to advance the current ocean observing system components to obtain an international, more sustainable, more efficient, more integrated, and fit-for-purpose ocean observing system, coordinated through the UNESCO-IOC Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). Self-nomination for the Blueprint Author Team can be submitted under the following website: https://www.surveymonkey.de/r/B8GSSFX. Such a group will benefit from the work of EU Horizon 2020 AtlantOS and similar projects.

The deadline for applications is the 6 January 2017.

Internationally, sustained ocean observation is coordinated through the UNESCO-IOC Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) which is also a contribution to the Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Blue Planet initiative. But also a number of related programs and projects working to develop and implement effective ocean observing capacities, improving their efficiency and their timely and high quality information delivery.

Despite that, the current ocean observing system remains fragmented especially for in situ observations. In addition several of the networks and individual contributions are not well resourced and lack long term funding perspectives.

There is therefore a strong rationale to advance the current system components to obtain an international, more sustainable, more efficient, more integrated, and fit-for-purpose ocean observing system that will improve the value for money, extent, completeness, quality and ease of access to Ocean data to jointly deliver comprehensive ocean information to assess current trends and predict future scenarios.

An internationally developed Blueprint of Integrated Atlantic Ocean Observing Systems will be developed for the OceanObs19 conference. So far, a small Blueprint prefix team was appointed that will oversee the process of the development of the plan with input from a balanced team comprising observing experts, marine scientist and the wider stakeholder communities. In order to assemble the best possible team a nomination call process was initiated with the goal of expert nominations to serve in this capacity.

Secretarial support for the Blueprint Author Team will be provided. For further questions please contact Sandra Ketelhake (GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.