Pacific Islanders present at Global Ocean Observing Conference

“When you’re sick, you go to the doctor. Our oceans are sick and we need the scientists and experts to help us understand what is wrong and how to get better.” – Peter Thomson, UN Special Envoy for the Ocean On 16 September 2019, this call from the Pacific’s own ocean ambassador was heard by more than 1,500 ocean scientists, technologists, advocates, and thought leaders from 72 countries present at the OceanObs’19 Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii.

The conference, held every 10 years, aims to bridge the gap between the scientific aspects of ocean observing and the applications and benefits to society. For the first time since its inception in 1999, the conference was held in the Pacific and Pacific Island countries represented 14% of the 72 participating countries. Through the Australian-funded Climate and Oceans Support Program in the Pacific (COSPPac), the Pacific Community (SPC) was able to identify and support participants from Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu Meteorological Services to attend the global conference.

In addition, SPC-funded participants prepared and presented science posters that they developed, highlighting the work their Met Services are doing in ocean observations, forecasting, and providing tailored information services to the public. “It was an honour and a big eye-openner for me," said Ms. Areita Baleisolomone, Climate Officer at the Fiji Meteorological Service. "When you get to see the vast information that’s available with reference to ocean. One of the statements that hit me on the first day, one of the oceanographers said “If you like your weather forecast, thank an oceanographer.” That statement got me thinking throughout the week.

For the weather forecaster you need information from the ocean, atmosphere you need to put them together to get a quality weather forecast.” Read more: https://www.spc.int/updates/blog/2019/10/thank-an-oceanographer