The “ACO 2016 - A Connected Ocean” Science Conference will be held on 11-13 October 2016 in Brest, France. The challenge for future ocean knowledge and data integration sets the stage for this conference. This conference, co-organized with EuroGOOS, is built around five thematic sessions and a workshop through which participants will explore new approaches, new technologies and new challenges for knowledge of ocean processes.

You may submit your abstracts for an oral or poster contribution until end of September 2016.

A pilot project aiming to install and operate ocean sensors on platforms operated by colleagues in Mauritius, Mozambique, the Seychelles and South Africa to study ocean acidification in East Africa was officially launched during the kick-off workshop at the end of July. The project is called "OceAn pH Research Integration and Collaboration in Africa – ApHRICA". The launch of ApHRICA will not only enhance local ocean monitoring efforts in East Africa but will also facilitate connections to global efforts such as the Global Ocean Acidification Network (GOA-ON).

We would like to let you know that the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) Newsletter #32 is now available for download here. This issue features news from several SCOR Working Groups and Large-Scale Ocean Projects, as well as an article on SCOR's Visiting Scholar program which is now in its 8^th year. 

The Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) is inviting the community to participate in the public review of the new 2016 GCOS Implementation plan “The Global Observing System for Climate: Implementation Needs".

Anyone interested in climate observations is kindly invited to comment on this draft by September 5, 2016.

The Future Earth Secretariat is seeking community input on two of its "Oceans" thematic research initiatives. The two topics concern the scoping phase for a Collaborative Research Action (CRA) between Future Earth and the Belmont Forum, and the development of Oceans Knowledge-Action Networks (KANs). You are kindly invited to fill out this brief survey by August 15, 2016.

We would like to announce the publication of the long-awaited report from the IOCCP-JAMSTEC 2015 Inter-comparison of inorganic nutrients Certified Reference Materials (CRMs) measurements. For more information about the activity and to view or download the report please visit our site HERE.

Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR), the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO, and the Global Ocean Observing System for Indian Ocean (IOGOOS) are seeking nominations for members of the Working Groups and Science Theme teams that will implement the work of the 2^nd International Indian Ocean Expedition (IIOE-2).

Nomination form should be send to the Australian Node of the IIOE-2 Joint Project Office (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) by 15 September 2016.

In response to amounting requests to highlight specific sessions at the upcoming 2016 AGU Fall Meeting, 12-16 December, San Francisco, CA, USA, we provide a subjectively selected list of sessions relevant for the marine biogeochemistry community. You can access the list through the link HERE. We particularly want to highlight session OS019: Next generation biological and chemical sensors for ocean observations. If you're interested in adding a session to this list, please send us an email.

Please remember that the abstract submission deadline is 3 August 2016.

A white paper entitled ‘Towards a transformative understanding of the ocean’s biological pump: Priorities for future research’ is now available for community feedback. The paper identifies those critical gaps in our understanding whose study will lead to significant advances in the field. All who have interest in any aspect of ocean carbon export are encouraged to provide feedback on the white paper to the This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by August 1, 2016. 

We would like to let you know that a draft document ‘The Rationale, Design and Implementation Plan for Biogeochemical-Argo’ is now available for community consultation. Biogeochemical-Argo is the extension of the Argo array of profiling floats to include floats that are equipped with biogeochemical sensors for pH, oxygen, nitrate, chlorophyll, suspended particles, and downwelling irradiance. The draft plan stems from the discussions held at a workshop on 11-13 January 2016, at the Laboratoire d’Oceanographie de Villefranche, France. 

Comments on the draft plan can be addressed to Ken Johnson (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) and Herve Claustre (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) through August 15.