ODINAFRICAODINAFRICAOcean Data and Information Network for AfricaOcean Data and Information Network for Africa

ODINAFRICA ODINAFRICA

Aims at enabling IOC member states in Africa to

Develop national capability to manage ocean data & information

Develop national capability to prepare ocean data and information products & services

Provide access to ocean data and information available from the global IODE data centre network,

ODINAFRICA ODINAFRICA

AND ! To promote indigenous ocean research through

the development of African ocean and information databases and related products

To fully integrate African ocean science and expertise in the global research environment

ODINAFRICA ODINAFRICA Participating CountriesParticipating Countries

1. Benin 2. Cameroon 3. Côte d'Ivoire 4. Gabon 5. Ghana 6. Guinea 7. Mauritania 8. Morocco 9. Nigeria 10. Senegal 11. Togo 12. Tunisia

13. Comores 14. Kenya 15. Madagascar 16. Mauritius 17. Mozambique 18. Seychelles 19. South Africa 20. Tanzania

ODINAFRICAODINAFRICAThe Planning The Planning

1999 18 countries jointly draft project proposal Proposal submitted to Government of Flanders and

approved same year: US$ 2.3 M provided Project duration: 2001-2004

May 2000 20 countries meet in Dakar, Senegal to finalise planning

of activities for 2001

January 2001 Implementation starts

ODINAFRICAODINAFRICA Structure Structure

National: An institution to be the National Oceanographic Data

(and Information) Centre (NODC) Staff to be trained in data and information

Management National Coordinator who ensures that project

activities are implemented in the country as planned Annual national coordination workshop

Regional Regional Coordinators (1 for each region) 2 Information Service Centres Annual review and planning workshop

ODINAFRICAODINAFRICAActivities ImplementedActivities Implemented

Establishment and operation of NODCs in participating member states

Provision of hardware and software packages

Data and Information Management Training and follow-up

Development of databases, data products and services

ODINAFRICAODINAFRICAparticipants at a Data Management training sessionparticipants at a Data Management training session

Casablanca, Morocco Casablanca, Morocco

ODINAFRICAODINAFRICAInformation Centre Information Centre Services, ProductsServices, Products

Bibliographic search services Document delivery services (ILL) Development of library catalogue Database of aquatic science publications

published in/about the country/region Directory of marine/freshwater professionals Directory of marine science related institutions

ODINAFRICAODINAFRICAData Centre AData Centre Activitiesctivities

Data locator service National Marine metadata-bases Collection of all data related to the country’s

waters from international data centres Enrichment of database with locally available

data National Marine Atlas National data CDs

ODINAFRICAODINAFRICAChallengesChallenges

Differences in Focus of designated institution Educational, Research, Resource Management Narrow focus (e.g. Oceanography or Fisheries) Broad coverage (e.g. University)

Differences in Size one person dedicating only part time Several people

ODINAFRICAODINAFRICAChallengesChallenges

Differences in Background of personnel dedicated

basic skills versus proficient (how to organize training relevant to all?)

Communication Infrastructure dial up internet access Dedicated line

ODINAFRICAODINAFRICAFuture FocusFuture Focus

Improvement of communications (broadband)

Aggregation of national into joint regional databases

Development of products for ICAM (using remote sensing imagery and GIS)

Advanced training programme focused on product development

Promoting collaboration between institutions

ODINAFRICAODINAFRICA

• Received positive evaluation

• ODINAFRICA stresses importance of applying data centres for development of user-focused ocean services and products aimed at sustainable management of the coastal zone.