Terms of Reference
The following terms of reference are intended to advise the deliberations of a group sponsored collaboratively between the WMO-IOC Data Buoy Co-operation Panel (hereinafter DBCP) and the Physical Oceanography and Climate Committee (hereinafter POC) of PICES.
The North Pacific Data Buoy Advisory Panel is an independent self-funded body that maintains, as a significant element of its responsibilities, an observational data buoy program providing meteorological and oceanographic data for operational and/or research purposes in support of the World Weather Watch (WWW), the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP), the Global Climate Observing System (GCOS), and the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), and other relevant WMO and IOC programs as well as those sponsored by PICES/POC.
The North Pacific Data Buoy Advisory Panel will support the aims and objectives of the DBCP as set out in the terms of reference of the DBCP in particular with respect to:
- Provision of good quality and timely buoy data to users;
- Insertion of real-time (or near real-time) buoy data into the Global Telecommunications System (GTS);
- Archiving;
- Exchange of information on data buoy activities and development and transfer of appropriate technology; and will support the aims and objectives of PICES as expressed through POC in particular with respect to:
- Encouraging the exchange of ocean data and information in the N. Pacific;
- Encouraging the development of new sensors that increase the utility of ocean data buoys and the exchange of information about those sensors.
In accordance with the regional interests of PICES, the North Pacific Data Buoy Advisory Panel adopts a regional interest defined as generally north of 30°N in the North Pacific Ocean, and its marginal seas. More detailed information on the operation of the NPDBAP will be found in the Operating Principles of the NPDBAP.
The North Pacific Data Buoy Advisory Panel will submit annual reports of its activities to the Chairman of the DBCP, and to the Chairman of PICES/POC, prior to the annual meetings of each organization.
Page last modified: October 23, 2008