The 8th session of the GOOS Steering Committee, meeting in Melbourne, Australia, from 21-23 February 2005 addressed GOOS developments, progress with the design activities of the Ocean Observations Panel for Climate and the Coastal Ocean Observations Panel, and progress in implementing GOOS through the Joint Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology. More attention needs to be given in future to the practical implementation of GOOS and to GOOS outreach and communications efforts. Expected financial and staff resources, provided as a regular budget allocation from UNESCO in 2006-2007 and extrabudgetary contributions from additional sponsors, are far below the amount required to carry out the planned GOOS program. A new Director for the GOOS Office, Keith Alverson, was hired beginning August, 2004 and a new chair of GSC, John Field, began duties beginning march, 2005. |
