1. science
2. biology
3. marine biology

The Australian Forum for Operational
Oceanography (FOO):
What is it and why should IMOS be
involved?
What is Operational Oceanography?
• A systematic focus on operational ocean observing, short-range
prediction, and delivery of services
• Covering global-to-coastal marine environments, and physical
and biogeochemical properties
• Involving marine industries, service providers, government
agencies, and R&D providers
• For full definition, see www.foo2015.com
What is The Forum (FOO)?
• In developed regions around the world, the advantages of
operational oceanography are being realised
– e.g. UK, Europe, US
• As a marine nation, Australia has good reason to be keenly
interested in operational oceanography
• Scientists and managers from across industry, government and
academia are getting behind this opportunity
• A steering committee has formed to bring an Australian Forum
for Operational Oceanography (FOO) into existence
FOO Steering Committee
Co –Chair
Jan Flynn, Shell Australia
Co –Chair
Tim Moltmann, IMOS
Executive Support
Emma Sommerville, IMOS
RPS Group
Brian King
Fugro GEOS
Simon Foster
Carnegie Wave Energy
Tim Sawyer
Austral Fisheries
Martin Exel
RAN
Martin Rutherford
Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)
Craig Longmuir
Australian Coastal Councils /National Sea Change Task Force
Alan Stokes
Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA)
Nick Rayns
AIMS
Richard Brinkman
BoM
Boris Kelly-Gerreyn
CSIRO
Andreas Schiller
GA
Stuart Minchin
National Computational Infrastructure (NCI)
Ben Evans
IOC UNESCO
Nick D’Adamo
FOO (Steering Committee)
Marine
Industries
CSIRO, BOM,
AIMS, GA, IMOS,
NCI, IOC
WAMSI
R&D
Providers
Oil & Gas, Renewable
Energy, Fisheries
Ports and Shipping
Service
Providers
Government
Agencies
Metocean and
Environmental
Consultants
BOM, AMSA, AFMA,
Coastal Councils
NOPSEMA
The First Australian FOO event – ‘FOO 2015’
• With generous support from the Australian Government
Department of Industry and Science
• The first Forum will be held on 21-23 July 2015, at the
Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle
• Two day conference held over three days
• ~150 invitees, at least 50% industry
Conference Program
•
Theme 1 - What is Operational Oceanography and what does it mean in
the Australian context?
•
Theme 2 - Assessing Present Capabilities - what do we do now?
–
–
–
–
•
Theme 3 – Uses of Operational Oceanography
–
–
–
•
Observing systems
Modelling systems
Computational and information systems
Marine and ocean services
Emergency Response
Coastal and Marine Management, Ports and Shipping
Oil Spills
Theme 4 – Identifying and Addressing Future Challenges and
Opportunities
Conference Program
•
Three keynotes
–
–
–
Colin Grant, CG Metocean Consulting Limited UK
Ray Canterford, BOM Deputy Director Hazards, Warnings & Forecasts
Art Allen, US Coast Guard (Search & Rescue)
•
Twenty one invited talks plus Q&A sessions
•
One high-level panel discussion on ‘What are the business drivers for
operational oceanography in Australia?’
•
Session of five cutting-edge talks on wind/wave/current forecasting, with a
focus on three to seven days
–
•
Call for abstracts, due 31 May 2015
Poster session
–
Call for abstracts, due 31 May 2015
Why is IMOS involved?
•
Need to be seen as an important component of ‘Present
Capabilities’
•
Opportunity to ‘close the loop’ with important stakeholders in
offshore industry, renewable energy, fisheries, ports and shipping,
AMSA, NOPSEMA, BOM Operations, State Governments, Coastal
Councils
•
Opportunity to explore new partnerships e.g. with Consulting
Industry
•
Consistent with IMOS Strategy 2015-25
•
Consistent with National Marine Science Plan involvement
Interested?
Go to www.foo2015.com
Please direct any enquiries about FOO to:
• Tim Moltmann (tim.moltmann@imos.org.au) or
• Emma Sommerville (emma.sommerville@utas.edu.au)