Workshop on
Alternative Uses of Hydrographic Data
5 April 2001
Miami Beach Convention Center
Miami, Florida USA
1. Welcome
Chairman Doug Brown (USA-NOAA) welcomed those attending this workshop. He explained background and purpose of this workshop. In particular, the impacts of new technologies such as GPS, marine GIS, and electronic charts have led to the realization that there are other uses for hydrographic data. However, for HOs to expand their activities, new funding sources are required.
2. Opening
Remarks
RADM Guiseppe Angrisano (IHB) provided a brief overview of the activities of IHO. He made specific mention of the IHO Strategic Plan as it pertains to (1) services other than navigation, (2) the transition to digital data, and (3) creation of capacities. He also mentioned the IMO Resolution of 1998 regarding the need for hydrographic services. As such, there is a new policy within IHO to assist member states in other hydrographic applications related to marine environmental protection and coastal zone management. For the CGM region, a slide showing IHO member states was shown.
3. Building
Partnerships and Funding Opportunities
Marea E. Hatziolos, Senior Coastal and Marine Specialist
Environment Department, World Bank
An overview was provided of the Global Environmental Facility (GEF). Key focal areas include:
Climate change
Protection of the Ozone Layer
Biological Diversity
International Waters
Desertification
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)
GEF: Financing the incremental costs to developing countries of looking beyond national boundaries to implement measures to conserve and manage Global Commons.
Implementing Agencies include: World Bank, UNDP, & UNEP
Biological Diversity – freshwater, coastal and marine habitats
- conserving species, habitats, ecosystems of global importance
habitat mapping – coral reefs, mangroves, sea grass beds
resource inventories
hot spots
International Waters
- degradation of quality of trans-boundary water
- physical alteration/degradation of critical habitats
- over-exploitation of lives resources
- ship-based pollutants (e.g., chemical, petroleum, biological)
To date, the GEF has invested $793mm globally with approximately $55mm in the wider Caribbean region.
In the CGM region, two projects were described:
1) a barrier reef protection project that involves trans-boundary issues (Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras). Project activities include water quality monitoring, biological, physical, and habitat mapping.
2) climate change and sea level rise. Project activities include monitoring sea level, sea temperature, meteorological parameters, and coral reef monitoring at 3 locations (Bahamas, Jamaica, and Belize).
For
further information:
Mesoamerican Biological
Corridor Project
Climate Change
Caribbean Centre of Climate
Change, Tobago
www.unep-wcmc.org/marine/coralatlas
Global Coral Reef Monitoring
Network
_____________________________________________
Paul Cooper, Director, International Division
Naval Oceanographic Office
A presentation was provided on the U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office (i.e., purpose, facilities, ships, equipment and programs). The HYCOOP Program involves bi-lateral agreements with partner nations to conduct survey operations throughout the world. Additional Program objectives:
- encourage the standardization of chart and documents
- increase rate of marine data collection
- develop non-traditional used for hydrographic data
- populating national data bases
- development of national marine GIS.
Benefits can include:
- safety of navigation (shipping)
- defense and national security
- coastal zone management and pollution control
- economic benefits (improved commerce, environmental damage)
- international responsibilities (Law of the Sea, Exclusive Economic Zone)
- tourism and recreational boating
- development of submarine and national heritage sites
Benefits of international cooperation:
- leveraged resources
- interoperability
- cooperative production
- international engagement
RADM Andreason (USA-NIMA) pointed out the benefits of having up-to-date environmental information as it pertains to maritime navigation (e.g., avoiding damage to ecological preserves)
_____________________________________________
Ken Sherman, Director, Narragansett Laboratory
Human activity often leads to global resource depletion and environmental degradation. Since the Rio Convention (1992) there has been increased emphasis and funding (e.g., GEF) to reverse this trend.
Ecosystem management is a scientific-based approach with the aim of gaining a better understanding of physical and biological parameters associated with a “systems” approach to environmental protection and management.
Global warming could lead to significant changes in the marine environment. This is particularly important for the lower food chain. For instance, changes in the type and number of zooplankton could significantly impact in marine fisheries resources.
The incremental funds provided by GEF can assist countries in making changes in the ways that human activities are conducted.
5. Discussion on Partnership Opportunities
Chairman stated that the purpose of this session was to discuss the benefits of “working together.”
RADM Angrisano (IHB) emphasized that making an assessment on what exists is the first step in marine environmental protection and management. IHO would like to be a “partner” to HOs in the CGM region as it relates to the role of hydrography.
Chairman posed several questions:
1) Do HOs have working relations with Ministries of Environment?
Mr. Parvillers (France) gave a brief presentation on some of the “non-traditional uses” of hydrographic data from SHOM. These include digital terrain models (DTM) and gridded bathymetry. These products are provided to institutions and government agencies for research and commercial applications. Future plans are to deliver this data via the Internet. He further explained the status of hydrographic data acquisition in France by French and foreign vessels. Under French Law, the Code Minier requires that all data collected in French territorial waters (and EEZ) that could affect safety of surface navigation be delivered to SHOM. Also, that information collected on the seafloor be made known to SHOM.
2) How do HOs approach funding institutions (e.g., World Bank, UNEP, UNDP)?
Ms. Hatziolos (World Bank) stated that it is primarily a lending institution, but can help in funding feasibility studies.
Neil Anderson (CCMC-Canada) explained Canada’s experience in dealing with the GEF and UNDP. In particular, the importance of hydrography and electronic charts to prevent oil pollution in the marine environment. Globally, there were four areas that were high priority to GEF:
Malacca Straits
Black Sea/Bosphorus Strait
West Africa
Caribbean Region
In Asia, the UNDP is the “Implementing Agency.” But is it possible that IHO could become the “Executing Agency.” RADM Angrisano (IHB) responded that since IHO is not an agency under the UN Charter, that this may be difficult.
Ms. Hatziolos (World Bank) referred to the Workshop handout on the GEF. In particular, she pointed out the Block A, B, and C Grant process. The first step is to contact the focal point in your country, and then select the implementing agency. An implementing agency is responsible to the GEF for “delivering” the project, while an executing agency actually receives the funding on behalf of the countries and conducts the project.
Mr. Sherman (USA-NOAA) pointed out that there are a number of implementing and executing agencies, as well a recipient and cooperating countries. The GEF is particularly interested in country-initiated projects. While there are not hydrography-specific projects, there are opportunities for HOs to partner with other agencies. Overall, this is a rather complex process.
Dan Pillich (SevenCs – Germany) commented on the past difficulty for some HOs to become involved in these types of long-term projects.
Ms. Tuney (UK) pointed out that a very small amount of the world’s hydrograhpic data is actually collected or owned by HOs.
Neil Anderson explained about the formation of the Association of Caribbean States (ACS). In particular, there was a 1997 meeting held in Colombia on Electronic Charts. He also mentioned that there was another Caribbean region organization involved in marine environmental protection called CEPNET (a regional program of information systems for the management of marine and coastal resources). CEPNET is based in Jamaica and received initial funding from UNEP with additional funding from IDB. Potentially, CGM HOs could provide assistance in obtaining further grants (leveraging). For more information: http://rolac.unep.mx/cepnews/ing.
6. GIS Technologies Using Hydrographic Data for Coastal Management and Environmental Protection – The US Experience
Dr. Lee Alexander, Associate Research Professor
Joint NOAA/University of News Hampshire Hydrographic Center
A range of new applications are possible when digital hydrographic survey data (e.g., single bean, multibeam, sidescan sonar) are analyzed using advanced visualization and data analysis tools. This includes coastal zone management, seafloor characterization, pipeline and submarine cable routing, Law-of-the-Sea/EEZ delineation, hydrocarbon exploration, and fisheries habitat inventory/management. For more information: www.ccom.unh.edu
_________________________________
Lori Cary-Kothera, Spatial Analyst
NOAA Coastal Services Center
GIS and remote sensing have become important tools for coastal zone management. The NOAA Coastal Services Center uses a range of bathymetry and hydrographic data sets for inventory and management. A number of data management, mapping, GIS, and visualization tools and systems are employed. For more information: www.csc.noaa.gov
_________________________________
Marian Clough, Head of Nautical Charting Group
U.S. Naval Oceanographic Center (NAVOCEANO)
In conjunction with a U.S. Naval Exercise, NAVOCEANO conducted an Electronic Charting Initiative. The goals of this effort were to demonstrate the ability survey and rapidly produce digital data for use in conjunction with ECDIS. Different types of surveys were conducted including airborne LIDAR, single-beam, multi-beam, and sidescan sonar. Using CARISâ tools, existing databases were combined with new survey data to produce prototype DNCâ, ENC, and Additional Military Layers (AMLs) of information. These prototype data were then demonstrated using commercially-available ECDIS and ECS equipment.
7. Closing Remarks and Next Steps
Chairman summarized that for those countries interested in conducting “non-traditional” hydrography, there funding sources available. In most cases, a “partnership” approach with other government agencies offers the best opportunity for World Bank or GEF funding. In the long term, it is important that HOs expand their horizons and work with their national environmental agencies to learn how hydrography can support growing environmental needs.