system requires urgent consideration if the cost 

 effectiveness of the programme is to be maxi- 

 mized. Thus, it is urgent that oceanographers and 

 meteorologists meet to co-ordinate the observa- 

 tional programme on moored and drifting auto- 

 matic stations, on island and coastal stations and 

 on ships of opportunity specially provided with 

 observing personnel. This would permit maximum 

 oceanographic utilization of the meteorological 

 network. Meanwhile, oceanographers must ascer- 

 tain their own requirements for a monitoring 

 network, so that a scheme can be developed for 

 supplementing the observations derived from the 

 meteorological network where necessary. This 

 supplementary network could be used to some 

 extent both for oceanography and meteorological 

 purposes. 



It is therefore essential to ensure effective co- 

 ordination of oceanographic and meteorological 

 activities. A first attempt in this direction was 

 made by the establishment of joint WMO/IOC 

 working groups, but there is doubt as to the 

 adequacy of such arrangements in view of the 

 complexity of the problems involved and of the 

 difference in the present international institutional 

 arrangements, including funding. There is as yet no 

 experience in joint action on important matters 

 such as the desirability and design of a joint 

 meteorological-oceanographic network. Because of 

 the extremely close interrelationship of these two 

 disciplines, it is essential and urgent that a mecha- 



nism be found for their immediate and effective 

 joint action. 



For these reasons, in any realignment of inter- 

 national organizations active in the marine field, 

 consideration should be given to effective mecha- 

 nisms for the conduct of activities related to the 

 collection of physical oceanographic data requiring 

 near real-time processing with similar meteoro- 

 logical activities. One possibility that should be 

 considered is combining the WMO and proposed 

 operational activities of the IOC. Extensive ar- 

 rangements have been made by both the IOC and 

 the WMO to assure adequate coordination between 

 the two agencies. In regard to IGOSS there have 

 been established joint lOC/WMO Panels of Experts 

 on Coordination of Requirements, on Telecom- 

 munications, among others. The WMO has recently 

 estabUshed an Executive Committee Panel on the 

 Meteorological Aspects of Ocean Affairs.' 



The close relationship between the physical, 

 biological, and other aspects of oceanography, now 

 facihtated by the present IOC-UNESCO organiza- 

 tion is recognized. Further, there will continue to 

 be research needs in physical oceanography that 

 do not require rapid transmission of observed data 

 that may be of relatively Uttle significance in 

 forecasting the behavior of the environment. For 

 these reasons, the panel does not consider it 

 appropriate to make a recommendation on this 

 matter. 



WMO Executive Committee XX Resolution 17. 



n-62 



