Marine Meteorology and Oceanography Programme

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Scope

The Marine Meteorology and Oceanography Programme (MMOP) coordinates, develops and recommends standards and procedures for a fully integrated marine observing, data management and services system using state-of-the-art technologies and capabilities. The Programme maximizes the benefits to Members through the projects, programmes and activities that it coordinates in their interest and in aid of the global marine community.

The Programme responds to the evolving needs of users of marine data and products, and includes an outreach programme to enhance the national capacity of all maritime countries. While safety at sea is its primary priority, coastal area management, disaster risk reduction and climate service applications have been integrated into the Programme.

Objectives

The Marine Meteorology and Oceanography Programme objectives are:

to enhance the provision of marine meteorological and oceanographic services by Members in support of the safety of life and property at sea and in coastal areas; and
to manage an effective and efficient evolution of the Programme through the selective incorporation of advances in science and technology; and
to ensure that all countries have the capacity to benefit from and contribute to these advances.

Structure

With oversight provided by Congress and Executive Council, technical guidance for the Marine Meteorology and Oceanography Programme (MMOP) is provided by the Joint Commission on Marine Meteorology (JCOMM,) which is jointly sponsored by WMO and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO.

The cooperative Programme with JCOMM is structured in three key areas:

Observations Programme Area
Data Management Programme Area
Services and Forecasting Systems Programme Area

The Programme also utilizes cross-cutting strategies for capacity development, developing standards and access to data, among others. The Marine Meteorology and Oceanography Programme provides Secretariat support to JCOMM.

Components

The Marine Meteorology and Oceanography Programme (MMOP) provides assistance to Members for the sustainable provision of marine products and services to address the continued and expanding requirements of the maritime and coastal user communities for met-ocean services and information, focusing on the safety of life and property at sea, integrated coastal management and the minization of societal impacts of natural hazards. Extensive inter-agency coordination and collaboration is necessary for effective delivery on the Programme components.

To address the developing needs of the maritime and coastal user communities for met-ocean services and information, there are increasing requirements for capacity development and training. The implementation of systems developed through elements such as the Coastal Inundation Forecasting Demonstration Project offer ongoing improved programmes and services for the community.

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Weather and Ocean Forecasting

Implements operational ocean forecasting services through the review of requirements, development of technical guidance and coordination of the development of improvements;
Enhances communication between IOC oceanographic institutions and services and WMO Members to improve meteo-marine and oceanographic forecasts, update requirements and facilitate the use of new products stemming from oceanographic forecasting and analysis services; and
Supports and develops services for the Polar regions by improving operational marine services, including ensuring that ice information is available for mariners around the world.

Disaster Risk Reduction

Supports mitigation of coastal hazard risks through improved coastal forecasting services for inundation from waves, storm surges, and other hydro-meteo-oceanographic causes, and better forecasting services on the environmental status of coastal and open ocean waters;
Supports Maritime Safety Information Services, through; 1) continuous review of technical regulations; 2) improving services in polar regions; and, 3) renewed assessment on user requirements and interface for extended maritime safety information;
Enhances international coordination for marine environmental emergency responses, in particular, to address oil spill management and response and to improve the response to accidental radioactive and other hazardous material discharges into the ocean by coordinating dispersion modelling and tracking capability effort.

Capacity Development

Determines national and regional needs and addresses deficiencies in knowledge, skills, observing and modelling systems, data management and services.
Enhances capabilities of WMO Members / IOC Member States for met-ocean service delivery, observations and data management, particularly those of the African nations; building on the implementation of a quality management approach, and leveraged by the continuous improvement of regulatory and guidance material in WMO and IOC;
Supports the development of the quality management approach for marine and oceanographic services within the overall WMO approach and encourage adoption of quality management by other Members (including the development and application of competence requirements for personnel.)

Marine Meteorology and Oceanography Programme