Argo national focal point and IOC resolutions - OceanOPS/helpdesk GitHub Wiki

Background information

Resolution XX-6 (IOC,1999) requested Argo implementers to notify, reasonably in advance and through appropriate channels, any Argo float deployment in the high seas that might drift into Member States EEZ.

To that end, Argo National Focal Points (NFPs) were designated by IOC Member States and WMO Members, following joint IOC-WMO circular letters. The list and details of Argo NFPs is available at: http://www.ocean-ops.org/board?t=Argo&groupid=22 . Any update on Argo NFPs designation should be sent by IOC national delegations to the IOC secretariat: [email protected] .

Practically, each float deployment plan is registered at OceanOPS, with core metadata and a unique WMO identifier, ideally in advance of the deployment, and an electronic notification is automatically issued to all Argo National Focal Points. The notification email includes a map, float key metadata, and links to track it in real-time and access its data (see notification email in the annex 1). Updates can be generated if reality at sea was different from the initial plan which is often the case, and a new email is generated. OceanOPS verifies routinely that floats notified are effectively delivering data in real-time and delayed mode as specified in Argo rules. The Argo Steering Team reserves itself the right to refuse a float in the Argo framework for which the notification was made far too late after the deployment date.

Resolution EC-XLI.4 (IOC, 2008) offered then the possibility to coastal states, through official request to IOC/UNESCO secretariat, to be formally and bilaterally notified of float drift into its EEZs by implementers. The following Member States have made such a request:

  • Argentina,
  • Brazil,
  • Chile,
  • China,
  • Ecuador,
  • Egypt,
  • Greece,
  • India,
  • Peru,
  • Russia,
  • Tunisia,
  • Turkey.

Some countries agree to open their EEZ to Argo deployment, without requesting MSR (list to be confirmed, and official document to be retreived):

  • USA
  • UK
  • Canada
  • Mozambique
  • Some Pacific Island part of SOPAC

Where to find the information

How to update an Argo National Focal Point

When the information of a new Argo NFP is received, generaly along with an official letter:

  • An email should be send to IOC to request the update of their list.
  • The user group "Argo National Focal Point" is also updated in the OceanOPS data base.
  • note that for EEZ notification, the "Argo National Focal Point" user group is used.