Objective of the NATO-ARW    
         
   

     The workshop will cover the top priorities for operational oceanography in the Black Sea. To begin, a review of the current status of operational services in the Black Sea is intended to be carried out. Building capacity of the existing observation systems, increasing the reliability of modelling and forecasting of the sea state enhancing communication and data exchange capability will be the main points. The workshop will also be targeted at identifying of directions for future development of operational oceanography, promoting à transfer of know-how and experience from advanced operational systems developed in different World Ocean basins to the Black Sea region. Special attention will be paid to building of observing capacity of the Black Sea ecosystem and to improving of the ecosystem modeling. As a result, some approaches for enhancement of regional environmental security and well-being of population based on the tools of marine science and environmental state forecasting will be outlined. Generating of information and products useful to society, which enable understanding of environmental variability and facilitate decision-making in various spheres related to sustainable use of marine resources, will be addressed and endorsed.

     In essence, the workshop will address:

  1. Necessary organizational, technological and technical prerequisites for integrated and operative Black Sea observing system.
  2. Effective dialogue among all relevant Black Sea institutions and with international bodies, services, institutes, projects and programmes, for a coherent implementation of the regional information and forecasting system.
  3. Communication, coordination of data exchange and data sharing principles.
  4. Use of advanced technologies for sustained cost-effective ocean monitoring and forecasting.
  5. Advanced implementation of reliable coastal observing and forecasting system ensuring sustainable development of resources and environmental security in the region.
  6. Promotion of operational oceanographic services useful for end users.
     Along these lines, the workshop aims to increase public awareness and to stimulate and motivate the utilization of operational oceanographic information in environmental management and decision-making practices. In the same time, high level of the operational services must be built and retained. The workshop will support this goal by promoting the transfer of knowledge and experience in advanced implementation of observing and forecasting systems. Particular examples of operational application will be presented. The coastal regions also will be considered.