The re-constituted Expert Team on Operational Ocean Forecasting Systems (ETOOFS) operating under the GOOS framework have published a long-awaited guide on Implementing Operational Ocean Monitoring and Forecasting Systems. ETOOFS aims to promote the development of new marine forecasting systems around the globe along with the improvement of the existing ones. It provides an overview of the entire value chain of an operational ocean monitoring and forecasting system and presents international standards and best practices for setting up such a service. ETOOFS enables worldwide use of timely and reliable ocean forecasts for applications in national security and navigation, environmental protection, ocean and coastal disaster risk reduction and the maritime economy.

This guide is intended to be a guideline and inspiration to professionals all around the globe, stimulating the reader to gain deeper knowledge on this vast field. If this objective is achieved, this publication is expected to foster the generation of valuable information that will be used in decision-making processes and, therefore, advocate a wiser and more sustainable relationship with our generous ocean.

Initiated at the request of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), and funded by GOOS and Mercator Ocean International, it is the fruit of cooperation between 80 expert authors from 18 countries worldwide.

Contacts:

GOOS/OOFS Secretariat: Denis Chang Seng, d.chang-seng@unesco.org
ETOOFS Chair Pierre Bahurel, pbahurel@mercator-ocean.fr