An Operational European Global Ocean Observing System for the Eastern Mediterranean Levantine Basin: The Cyprus Coastal Ocean Forecasting and Observing System

Author： Zodiatis George Lardner Robin Georgiou Georgios Demirov Encho Manzella Giuseppe Pinardi Nadia

Publisher： Marine Technology Society

ISSN： 0025-3324

Source： Marine Technology Society Journal, Vol.37, Iss.3, 2003-0, pp. : 115-123

Disclaimer: Any content in publications that violate the sovereignty, the constitution or regulations of the PRC is not accepted or approved by CNPIEC.

Previous Menu Next

Abstract

The countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea have joined together in several multinational initiatives to conduct long-term, integrated, operational oceanographic observations and modelling of this important region. Some of these initiatives and the country members involved are discussed in this paper. Particular emphasis is given to long-term observing systems and modelling conducted in the Eastern Mediterranean Levantine Basin and the region around the island of Cyprus. A complete operational oceanographic forecasting and observing system has been developed in Cyprus, and has been operational since early 2002. The system is called CYCOFOS—Cyprus Coastal Ocean Forecasting and Observing System—and is a component of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), and its European (EuroGOOS) and Mediterranean (MedGOOS) modules. CYCOFOS is the result of several years of research activities all carried out within the framework of European Union-funded projects including: (1) Mediterranean forecasting system, both pilot project and towards environmental predictions (MFSPP and MFSTEP), (2) Mediterranean network to Access and upgrade Monitoring and forecasts Activities in the region (MAMA), (3) European Sea level Service Research Infrastructure (ESEAS-RI), (4) Mediterranean network of Global sea Level Observing System (MedGLOSS), and (5) Marine Environment and Security in the European Areas (MERSEA strand 1). CYCOFOS at present consists of several operational modules, including flow and offshore waves forecasts, satellite remote sensing, coastal monitoring stations and end user-derived applications. All these operational modules provide regular near-real-time information, both to local and sub-regional end users in the Eastern Mediterranean Levantine Basin. This paper discusses these as well as additional ocean observation stations and features soon to be added to CYCOFOS.