PILOT REPORTING PILOT REPORTING GEORGIAGEORGIA

Dr. Kakhaber BilashviliDr. Kakhaber Bilashvili

The purpose of this information is not only to make a report on the Sea-Search development in Georgia, but

it also aims to give you a clear view on the real situation with

oceanographical data in the country.

Marine observations in Georgia until 1964 were provided by Marine observations in Georgia until 1964 were provided by coastal stations and posts, which were under the authority of coastal stations and posts, which were under the authority of

Ukraine Hydrometeorological Service.Ukraine Hydrometeorological Service.

Since 1964 they were included into the network of Georgian Since 1964 they were included into the network of Georgian Hydrometeorological Service. From 1971 until 1990, marine Hydrometeorological Service. From 1971 until 1990, marine

observations included all standard coastal and open sea parameters observations included all standard coastal and open sea parameters plus oil pollution measurements. Together with routine observations plus oil pollution measurements. Together with routine observations several expeditional investigations were held from the boards of local several expeditional investigations were held from the boards of local

scientific vessels and in cooperation with Ukraine and Russia.scientific vessels and in cooperation with Ukraine and Russia.

    32 coastal meteostations and 32 coastal meteostations and posts, 6 oceanographic tide posts, 6 oceanographic tide gouges, 35 ship observational gouges, 35 ship observational points and 45 posts for measuring points and 45 posts for measuring the marine pollution. Collection, the marine pollution. Collection, systematization and processing of systematization and processing of network’s data was carried out in network’s data was carried out in the Hydrometeorological the Hydrometeorological Observatory in Batumi, which Observatory in Batumi, which possessed the research vessel, possessed the research vessel, hydrochemical lab and hydrochemical lab and communication facilities.communication facilities.

As it was said, until the early

90-ties there were:

Black Sea Observation Point

Hydrochemical Station

Hydrochemical and Granulometric Observation Points

Atmospheric Observation Point

Radioactive (atmospheric) pollution point

GEORGIAGEORGIA

Parameter measured:Parameter measured:•    ConductivityConductivity•    T,ST,S•    SOSO•    TT•    SalinitySalinity•    PHPH•    Metals (Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb)Metals (Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb)•    HydrocarbonesHydrocarbones•    N(NO2), NON(NO2), NO33•    NHNH•    P, totalP, total•    P(POP(PO))• O2O2

As you can see, today As you can see, today there are only 5 stations there are only 5 stations and 2 tide gouges under and 2 tide gouges under operation in Georgia. The operation in Georgia. The ship observation were ship observation were almost stopped and the almost stopped and the hydrochemical hydrochemical measurements occur measurements occur episodically.episodically.

GEORGIAGEORGIA

ACTIVITIES DURING LAST 10 YEARSACTIVITIES DURING LAST 10 YEARS

All developments in improving situation with marine observations are closely All developments in improving situation with marine observations are closely related with special programmes and projects, launched in Georgia by international related with special programmes and projects, launched in Georgia by international

financial and scientific institutions.financial and scientific institutions.

The most important latest marine research programmes were identified as follows:The most important latest marine research programmes were identified as follows:

        - TACIS Black Sea Biodiversity ProjectTACIS Black Sea Biodiversity Project, which is implementing at the Batumi , which is implementing at the Batumi Black Sea Biodiversity regional Center or Regional Activity Center (RAC).Black Sea Biodiversity regional Center or Regional Activity Center (RAC).

- - Integrated Coastal Zone Management Program (ICZMP)Integrated Coastal Zone Management Program (ICZMP) funded by funded by World Bank, GEF and Dutch Government.World Bank, GEF and Dutch Government.

- ARENA- ARENA

- Sea-Search- Sea-Search

- In 1999 the telecommunication system from - In 1999 the telecommunication system from METEO-FranceMETEO-France was launched was launched in the Dep. of Hydrometeorology, and hence, forecasting products, such as, in the Dep. of Hydrometeorology, and hence, forecasting products, such as, marine short and medium range forecasting service will be available soonly.marine short and medium range forecasting service will be available soonly.

ACTIVITIES DURING LAST 10 YEARSACTIVITIES DURING LAST 10 YEARS

All developments in improving situation with marine observations are closely All developments in improving situation with marine observations are closely related with special programmes and projects, launched in Georgia by international related with special programmes and projects, launched in Georgia by international

financial and scientific institutions.financial and scientific institutions.

The most important latest marine research programmes were identified as follows:The most important latest marine research programmes were identified as follows:

    - As a part of newly establishing national oceanological infrastructureAs a part of newly establishing national oceanological infrastructure

Oceanological Research CentreOceanological Research Centre (1996) and (1996) and Designated National AgencyDesignated National Agency of of

UNESCOUNESCO was established in year of 2001. was established in year of 2001.

- Assessment of the coastal erosion funded by Government of Netherlands.- Assessment of the coastal erosion funded by Government of Netherlands.

Due to this last Project it should be mentioned that in former Soviet Union considerable Due to this last Project it should be mentioned that in former Soviet Union considerable scientific and practical experience was gained in Georgia in the field of coastal protection. It scientific and practical experience was gained in Georgia in the field of coastal protection. It was carried out by was carried out by “SAKNAPIRDATSVA”“SAKNAPIRDATSVA” Company, resulted in restoration of Company, resulted in restoration of 56 hectares56 hectares of of beach in Batumi and Poti regions. This Center is preserving valuable amount of beach in Batumi and Poti regions. This Center is preserving valuable amount of oceanographical data, mainly coastal.oceanographical data, mainly coastal.

WHAT HAS BEEN DONEWHAT HAS BEEN DONE

In the past period DNA has undertaken the following:In the past period DNA has undertaken the following:

- Prepared the corresponding facilities at the Dep. Of Meteorology and- Prepared the corresponding facilities at the Dep. Of Meteorology and Oceanology of the Oceanology of the Tbilisi State UniversityTbilisi State University

- Purchased necessary equipment- Purchased necessary equipment

- Prepared the staff (young scientists with the help of - Prepared the staff (young scientists with the help of IOC IOC and and NATO sfpNATO sfp Programme, Programme, MEDAR-MEDATLASMEDAR-MEDATLAS and other international Projects managed to and other international Projects managed to get considerable qualification to carry out the get considerable qualification to carry out the DNADNA functions). functions).

- Prepared Oceanological Data and Information Management Manual (in Georgian) - Prepared Oceanological Data and Information Management Manual (in Georgian) for the students of the oceanological, meteorological, hydrological and mergingfor the students of the oceanological, meteorological, hydrological and merging specialties of the University, academician scientists and end-users.specialties of the University, academician scientists and end-users.

- Participated in number of international projects: Participated in number of international projects: Floating University, Floating University, MEDAR- MEDATLAS, NATO sfp program, Sea-Search, Arena, etc.MEDAR- MEDATLAS, NATO sfp program, Sea-Search, Arena, etc.

POLICY AND MANAGEMENT MEASURESPOLICY AND MANAGEMENT MEASURES

The main tasks of the DNA are:The main tasks of the DNA are:

-To develop the warehouse functions and preparing the inventory of geological, biological, To develop the warehouse functions and preparing the inventory of geological, biological, physical and chemical oceanographic data for the Georgian part of the Black Sea.physical and chemical oceanographic data for the Georgian part of the Black Sea.

- To deploy national wide oceanographical informational network (in the frames of - To deploy national wide oceanographical informational network (in the frames of Sea-Search project).Sea-Search project).

- To provide metadata catalogue.- To provide metadata catalogue.

- To involve more young scientists and students in marine data management activities.- To involve more young scientists and students in marine data management activities.

- To provide an on-line access to the data through creating of DNA’s web-site.- To provide an on-line access to the data through creating of DNA’s web-site.

- To lunch new discipline “Oceanographical Data Management’’ at the Dep. Of- To lunch new discipline “Oceanographical Data Management’’ at the Dep. Of Meteorology and Oceanology.Meteorology and Oceanology.

- Unfortunately, for the reason of civil war in the beginning of 90-ties a large massive of- Unfortunately, for the reason of civil war in the beginning of 90-ties a large massive of the data has been partly lost and partly redistributed in various places. Now anthe data has been partly lost and partly redistributed in various places. Now an additional efforts, time and resources are necessary to rescue and formate them. Thisadditional efforts, time and resources are necessary to rescue and formate them. This work is under realization too.work is under realization too.

What has been done in the frames of Sea-SearchWhat has been done in the frames of Sea-Search

- Created 3 working groups (ROSCOP, EDMERP, EDMED) and organized 2-day training for- Created 3 working groups (ROSCOP, EDMERP, EDMED) and organized 2-day training for local personnel involved in project.local personnel involved in project.

- Drown up a draft list of the producers and owners of oceanographical data and information.- Drown up a draft list of the producers and owners of oceanographical data and information.

- Disseminated EDMED, ROSCOP, and EDMERP forms and software among respodents.- Disseminated EDMED, ROSCOP, and EDMERP forms and software among respodents.

- Visited the main dataholders through Georgia.- Visited the main dataholders through Georgia.

- Established communication network between dataholders.- Established communication network between dataholders.

- Began to compile the first metadata catalogue of oceanological data existing in Georgia.- Began to compile the first metadata catalogue of oceanological data existing in Georgia.

- Provided Sea-Search with requested information.- Provided Sea-Search with requested information.

What should be done:What should be done:

- Permanent provision of entries for Sea-Search database network- Permanent provision of entries for Sea-Search database network

- Upgrading the professional qualification of staff through:- Upgrading the professional qualification of staff through:

- Launching the specialty of data managing at the - Launching the specialty of data managing at the Tbilisi State University.Tbilisi State University.

- Trainings within the international Projects.- Trainings within the international Projects. - Participation of young scientists in Sea-Search, Arena etc. meetings, workshops, scientific- Participation of young scientists in Sea-Search, Arena etc. meetings, workshops, scientific conferences.conferences.

- Design and support of the technology for operational numerical marine forecast.- Design and support of the technology for operational numerical marine forecast. - Support and participation in the B.S. Intranet.- Support and participation in the B.S. Intranet.

- Ensure strong collaboration in the Black Sea basin and Europe wide, through:- Ensure strong collaboration in the Black Sea basin and Europe wide, through:

- Launching the communication network.- Launching the communication network.

- Exchange of oceanological data information.- Exchange of oceanological data information.

- Sharing knowledge and capacity building.- Sharing knowledge and capacity building.

- Creating of common product with project partners.- Creating of common product with project partners.

- Cooperation with corresponding governmental, scientific, NGO and other institutions and - Cooperation with corresponding governmental, scientific, NGO and other institutions and projects.projects. - Arising of public awareness.- Arising of public awareness.