ABOUT THE IOCCG

	What is the IOCCG? Objectives of the IOCCG Terms of Reference Points of Contact IOCCG Travel Expense Claim Form

	Members of the IOCCG IOCCG Sponsors What is CEOS? What is SCOR?

	What is the IOCCG?

The International Ocean-Colour Coordinating Group (IOCCG) was established in 1996 following a resolution endorsed by the Committee on Earth Observation Satellites (CEOS). The group is made up of an international Committee of experts comprising representatives from both the provider (Space Agencies) and user communities (scientists, managers). The objectives of the IOCCG are to develop consensus and synthesis at the world scale in the subject area of satellite ocean colour radiometry (OCR). Specialised scientific working groups are established to investigate various aspects of ocean-colour technology and its applications, and their findings are published in the highly-acclaimed IOCCG Report Series. Continuity of ocean colour radiance datasets is addressed through the CEOS OCR-Virtual Constellation. The IOCCG also has a strong interest in capacity building, and conducts and sponsors advanced training courses on applications of ocean-colour data in various countries around the world. The IOCCG is an Affiliated Programme of the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR), and an Associate Member of CEOS. The activities of the IOCCG are supported by financial contributions from a number of national Space Agencies and other organisations, and upon infrastructure support from SCOR and the Bedford Institute of Oceanography (Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada), which hosts the IOCCG Project Office.

	Objectives of the IOCCG

To foster expertise in using ocean-colour data (training) Broaden the user community for ocean color data, particularly in developing countries, through training courses, workshops and international symposia as well as exchange of in situ data and software tools for data access and processing. To provide a common voice for the user community Develop a consensus among users on key issues related to satellite-ocean-colour science and technology, and communicate the collective view to the appropriate international bodies and space agencies. Evaluate proposals from CEOS members for new sponsors, data products and applications related to ocean-colour measurements To advocate the importance of ocean-colour data to the global community Promote the importance of ocean colour data to the global community through workshops, conferences and other appropriate information systems such as a home page and data access networks. Optimize quality of data for calibration and validation Encourage the formation of an international calibration and validation network for ocean colour and ensure that sea-truth measurements conform to accepted international protocols. Facilitate the formation of a distributed calibration and validation archive and database network. Advocate the collection of essential ocean and atmosphere data. Identify key variables relevant to the application of ocean-colour data and promote data-collecting strategies to fill existing gaps in time and space. Facilitate merging and access to ocean-colour data Encourage agencies to agree on common data products and algorithms and conform to common formats for accessing and exchanging data. Encourage provision of in situ data by relevant agencies and recommend that both satellite and in situ data are available and accessible in common data-exchange formats from the same source.

	Terms of Reference

The IOCCG adopted the following set of Terms of Reference, which were finalised at the second meeting of the group in Tokyo, Japan, 17-18 March, 1997. To serve as a communication and coordination channel between data providers and the global, user community of satellite-ocean-colour data, and so to maximize the benefits that accumulate from international investments in ocean-colour science and technology. To construct a partnership, at the international level, between the space agencies and the users of satellite-ocean-colour data to develop and coordinate data utilization. To work closely with the appropriate international bodies (including CEOS, IOC and SCOR), international scientific programs (such as IGBP and GOOS), satellite-ocean-colour-mission offices and other agencies (such as environmental and fishing agencies) to harmonize the international effort and advance ocean-colour science and its applications. To develop a collective voice for the community of users of ocean-colour data and to articulate this voice to the appropriate international bodies, international scientific programs and space agencies. To promote the long-term continuity of satellite ocean-colour data sets; the development of operational, ocean-colour data services and new generations of ocean-colour sensors; and the integration of data from complementary ocean sensors.

	IOCCG Travel Claim Form

An IOCCG Travel Expense Claim Form can be downloaded here. Please follow instructions and submit to the Project Office (address above). [ Home | About | Groups | Training | Workshops | Bibliography | Sensors | Data]