Workshop series on Operational oceanography for Norwegian Coastal Waters

Coastal oceanographic forecasts presently provide predictions of storm surge and waves. Moreover, such forecasts are used for on-demand prediction of oil drift, and search and rescue operations. These forecasts can conceivably be improved by better use of existing observations. Furthermore, a great leap forward would be made if the modeling capability is expanded from pure physics to models that describe biological and chemical processes relevant to pollution, algae bloom, fisheries and aquaculture. Our goal was to share experience, results from on-going activities and ideas for future collaborative efforts. In this manner, we sought to advance national collaboration in coastal operational oceanography. Observations serve a number of purposes in ocean forecasting. Their use in the forecast initialization, and subsequently in the assessment of the product quality, is essential. A wide range of observational products were presented at the workshops, including specialized products such as near-surface turbulence measurements, and general data catalogues with observations of the physical and biogeochemical ocean state, that are available on-line. Further, a number of model systems were presented, high-lighting a variety of aspects including data assimilation, biogeochemical modelling, drift simulations and probabilistic forecasts. Two international guests who each took part in one of the workshops provided an international perspective, and were actively participating in the discussions. The workshop series' participants got a comprehensive overview of activities targeted at coastal waters at the various part-taking institutes. Thus, a solid foundations for subsequent inter-institutional collaboration in coastal operational oceanography was established.

Presently, coastal oceanographic forecast activities are implemented in order to (i) provide forecasts of the sea state and (ii) produce on-demand drift forecasts for objects or matter that are mainly advected by near-surface currents and wave drift. However, there has been no concerted effort to exploit other national capabilities relevant for operational oceanography for regions near the coast. Activities and resources that may contribute toward improving such forecasts include better use of existing observational data, specifying priorities for expanding observational services, the use of new techniques based on observations, collaborative efforts aimed at improving modeling of ocean circulation near the coast, and expanding the modeling capability from purely physical models to models that describe biological and chemical processes relevant to pollution, algae bloom, fisheries and aquaculture. This proposal aims at initiating further national collaboration in coastal operational oceanography through sharing of experience, results from on-going activities and ideas for future collaborative efforts.