The Training Course on Subsurface Mooring Observation hosted by the Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOCAS) is successfully opened at 08:30 on July 17 in Qingdao, China. Fan Wang, Chair of Training, Director of IOCAS, Chair of Northwestern Pacific Ocean Circulation and Climate Experiment (NPOCE), Sophie Seeyave, CEO of Partnership for Observation of the Global Ocean (POGO), Kentaro Ando, Chair of IOC/WESTPAC, Janet Sprintall, Chair of IOC-GOOS Indian Ocean Region Panel, Jae Hak Lee, researcher from Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, deliver opening remarks respectively. 60 trainees from 22 countries/regions around the world, as well as renowned experts and early career scientists attend the opening ceremony.

Group photo

The opening ceremony begins with a welcome speech from Prof. Fan Wang. He states that subsurface mooring observation is the most effective method for quantifying changing conditions for long periods in the ocean, effectively promoting the development of marine science and technology in response to global climate change, marine environmental protection, and sustainable utilization of marine resources. However, due to the complex structure of subsurface mooring, the ever-changing seabed topography and sea conditions, the safe deployment, recovery and long-term stable operation of subsurface mooring face significant challenges. He introduces that over the past decade, IOCAS has established a scientific observation network consisting of over 20 sets of subsurface mooring in the tropical Western Pacific, achieving continuous and stable operation. Through technological innovation, real-time transmission of deep water and long-term deep-sea data has been achieved, and a complete set of technical specifications has been created in this process. During this training, researchers of IOCAS will teach subsurface mooring design and data processing techniques through text, video and on-site operations at sea, in order to jointly promote the development of global ocean observation research. At the end of his speech, Prof. Fan Wang emphasizes that this event will be a beneficial practice for China to participate in global ocean governance and maritime community with a shared future.

Opening remark by Prof. Fan Wang

The leaders of relevant international ocean observation organizations congratulate the successful holding of this training event in their speeches, fully recognize and highly appreciate the key role played by the training in promoting the development of global ocean observation technology, and express their active participation in this training event.

Speeches by the leaders of relevant international ocean observation organizations

This training was initiated by IOCAS and officially approved by POGO in 2019. Due to the COVID-19, it was postponed to July 16-22 this year.

Trainees are very looking forward to this training course. Teguh Agustiadi, from Research Center for Oceanography of National Research and Innovation Agency (RCO-BRIN), expresses his hope to master more advanced subsurface mooring observation technologies through this training and apply to future research and practice. Schmitz from Friedrich-Schiller University not only focuses on the field of subsurface mooring observation, but also pays attention to the research of plankton, she looks forward to having more in-depth exchanges with relevant experts of IOCAS. Pedro, a postdoctoral fellow from the University of São Paulo in Brazil, is most interested in the experience and technology of subsurface mooring design, such as how to comprehensively consider the selection of observation equipment, subsurface mooring depth, anchor weight and other variables in the preparation process of deploying subsurface mooring. Precious, a female scientist from South Africa, has recently been appointed as the research coordinator for polar research marine integrated facilities in South Africa. She states that this opportunity is very rare for female scientists, as she can not only acquire professional knowledge including theoretical and practical skills, but also establish effective connections and cooperation with scientists all over the world. This is an important step in her career as an ocean observation research coordinator.

Prof. Fan Wang in interview

Trainees at the opening ceremony