Report on workshop for Japan-Australia collaboration in Southern Ocean studies

Abstract

A workshop on Southern Ocean studies was held at CSIRO in Hobart, Australia on 5 February 2002 with 21 participants. Several cruises for marine science focusing on the Indian and western Pacific sectors have been conducted as a part of the program "Antarctic Ocean and the Earth Studies". The purposes of the present workshop are to obtain an overview of accomplished research cruises, to coordinate data management, and to promote future collaborative work. The 43rd Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE-43) has planned to charter a research vessel exclusive use for the first time and a collaborative cruise program has been discussed in cooperation with other vessels in the 2001/02 season. At the workshop, "Aurora Australis" and "Hakuho-Maru" cruises, which had already been completed, were reported on, and plans for the chartered vessel "Tangaroa" and icebreaker "Shirase" cruises were presented. The participants shared a new understanding of the importance of the "multi-ship plan" with four vessels sailing in the same area at different times of the austral summer. Data management and publication plan of scientific results were discussed. Future plans for the 2002/03 season and beyond were presented from Australian and Japanese scientists, and they exchanged views on possible collaboration.