EAMNet: Europe Africa Marine-EO Network: involvement with GEO and suggestions for the 2012-15workplan

Steve Groom, PML

EAMNet partnerNew GNC system

GEPW-5, London, UK, 8-9 Feb 2011

Aims of EAMNet

• To construct a network linking EO information providers, user networks and centres of excellence in Africa and Europe towards sustainable development in Africa.

• Support capacity maintenance and development in Africa

• Improve use of EO data for coastal and oceanic monitoring towards an Africa-wide observation system (GOOS-Africa).

• Provide an interface between European GMES-related services and R&D projects and African initiatives with the emerging GMES-Africa initiative.

• Contribute to the implementation of the Action Plan for GMES and Africa Partnership

• Support GEO “EC-09-01: Ecosystem Observation and Monitoring Network (GEO EcoNet)”

GEPW-5, London, UK, 8-9 Feb 2011

Earth observation data production and distribution

• EAMNet is providing EO data to cover the entire coast of Africa and AMESD areas in the Indian Ocean

• EO data are provided via the web and the GEONETCast system supporting– “AR-09-04: Dissemination and Distribution

Networks” and

– “CB-09-03: Building Institutional Capacity to Use Earth Observations”

MODIS ocean colour image

MODIS SST image

GEONETCast receiver Ghana

EAMNet data portal

GEPW-5, London, UK, 8-9 Feb 2011

Training and Fellowships

• Training for different levels of experience amongst African University and marine institutes complementing existing activities– To increase the number of skilled scientists,

engineers and technicians able to use EO data

• In support of “CB-09-03: Building Institutional Capacity to Use EO”

• Master’s level EO course– To be initially developed at UCT, South Africa– Extended to Universities of Ghana and Dar-es-Salaam– Training of trainers from other Universities

• Fellowships available to address areas of key interest to the development of GOOS-Africa such as: coordinating and harmonising Africa-EU R&D activities; spreading best practices; involving African stakeholders in GMES service development; and developing African EO “champions”

GEPW-5, London, UK, 8-9 Feb 2011

Topics for 2012-2015 work plan

• Continue with capacity building and maintenance activities to use Earth Observations, particularly in Africa

• Develop the Ecosystem Observation and Monitoring Network – in the ocean (ChloroGIN) extending to other regions and – extending to coastal and inland water (ChloroGIN-Lakes?)

• Maintenance in observations and promotion of interagency cooperation