The Pacific Community (SPC) and The Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to enhance and enable access and exchange of data and develop ocean models. The agreement will also facilitate scientific collaboration between the two organisations by hosting and/or training students and writing academic publications.

The MOU will increase and strengthen collaboration and exchanges between SPC and PacIOOS and acknowledge the importance of ocean science for increased knowledge and improved management of the ocean surrounding Pacific Islands Countries and Territories.

Dr Jerome Aucan, Head of SPC’s Pacific Community Centre for Ocean Science (PCCOS), said the MOU will enhance scientific collaboration and exchange in the Pacific and benefit Pacific peoples:

“Sharing knowledge allows both organisations to better fulfil their mandates to make ocean science and expertise readily accessible to Pacific Island governments and communities to help protect and sustainably manage vital ocean resources”, he said.

“An example of this collaboration is the sharing of best practices for forecasting extreme sea level events in the context of sea level rise. By sharing these forecasts which are useful to coastal communities and decision-makers for town planning, urbanism, and farming we can increase the resilience of these Pacific communities to the impacts of climate change and extreme weather hazards”, said Dr Aucan.

The agreement recognises the role SPC and PacIOOS as providers of ocean data and products and notes past and current academic interactions between SPC staff and PacIOOS staff, and the recent creation of the SPC’s Pacific Community Centre for Ocean Science (PCCOS).

The Pacific Community (SPC) is the principal scientific and technical organisation in the Pacific region. For almost 75 years the organisation has worked for the well-being of Pacific people through the effective and innovative application of science and knowledge.

The Pacific Community Centre for Ocean Science (PCCOS) is the platform for coordination and integration of ocean science, knowledge and information at SPC and in the Pacific, partnering with international and regional stakeholders.

The Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System is a Hawaii-based ocean observation platform providing accurate and reliable coastal and ocean information, tools, and services that are easy to access and use.

This story was originally published at SPC on 08 December 2021, reposted via PACNEWS.