IFOP: First Workshop on Observation and Free Distribution of Meteorological and Oceanographic Data
July 25th, 2016Initiative of Chilean researchers to share scientific information and complement efforts to monitor the ocean begins to happen
On Wednesday 6 July, at IFOP Valparaiso, renowned scientists from national universities and researchers of Instituto de Fomento Pesquero met together to discuss the way in which the different institutions can complement their efforts in data collection as part of a national ocean monitoring program, as well as to analyze the best way to share oceanographic and meteorological information between institutions and with the community.
Dr. Jaime Letelier, head of oceanography and environment of IFOP showed the historical databases of IFOP and the annual cruises that are carried out.
Letelier explained “all representatives of the participating institutions agreed that it is necessary for real progress of oceanographic research in Chile to join efforts in monitoring and sharing historical information of all kinds with the scientific community and the general public. The next steps will be defined on a future meeting, to be held in August at Valparaiso, where all universities and public or private institutions are invited, followed by all countries that understand that progress in science is often based on unrestricted availability of high quality data.”
Researchers and their studies
In the activity, the meteorologist Miguel Fernandez and Dr. Samuel Hormazábal from Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, presented the initiative POMEO (Portal Oceanographic and Meteorological Operational), a portal that concentrates real-time ocean condition information along off the coast of Chile.
Dr. Rene Garreaud of the Universidad de Chile, presented the results and information available from the buoy POSE (Observation Platform of Ocean Atmosphere Observing System) located 10 km from the coast of the VIII region.
The Master of Science Edgardo Santander of Universidad Arturo Prat, told about the historical databases of the north coast.
Dr. Diego Narvaez and Dr. Luis Bravo, of Copas Sur Austral and CEAZA respectively, showed on line observations which are being made together in the area of fjords and in Tongoy bay.
Dr. Oscar Pizarro, of Universidad Concepcion, explained the need to recover historical databases of various projects as a cornerstone and place them at the disposal of the scientific community.
On the other hand, the professionals Freddy Echeverría and James Morales of Department of Geophysics, Universidad de Concepcion, highlighted the information of HF radars, exclusive information in Chile, which they could contribute.