1 OceanObs’09 Community White Paper The way forward in developing and integrating FerryBox

• Main Authors: D J. Hydes, F. Colijn, W. Petersen, F. Schroeder, D. K. Mills, D. Dur
• Other Authors: The Pennsylvania State University CiteSeerX Archives
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Subjects: Arctic
• Online Access: http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/summary?doi=10.1.1.553.1161; http://www.ferrybox.com/imperia/md/content/ferryboxusergroup/oceanobs_ferrybox_090423.pdf

The state-of-the-art in the use of commercial ships to routinely collect biogeochemical and hydrographic data, known collectively as “Ferryboxes ” is briefly outlined. The focus is on biogeochemical and related measurements between ocean margins and estuaries and on surface waters. The EU project FerryBox (2002-2005) amply demonstrated they can provide oceanographic data in a highly cost effective manner over a wide range of time and space scales. In Europe FerryBox output is now an integral part of the vision (EMODNET European Marine Observation and Data Network) for the gathering of data streams together into a pan European system for assimilating data in to the marine management cycle. Practically is this beginning to evolve through systems such as EMECO (European Marine Ecosystem Observatory) which will link national system such as COSYNA (Coastal Observation System for Northern and Arctic Seas). This will enhance the provision of much needed data to reduce the degree of aliasing that can be present in the small data sets that have previously been used in assessments such as the OSPAR Common Procedure looking at for example eutrophication.