The fifth meeting of the CLIVAR Scientific Steering Group (SSO) in Sapporo, Japan from 3-7 June 1996 was briefed on JAMSTEC's initiative for a new ocean buoy measurement system called TRITON (Triangle Trans-Ocean Buoy Network), and was presented with the recommendations from the workshop held the previous week in Mitsu City.
A key component of the CLIVAR observing system is the Tropical Atmosphere Ocean (TAO) array of moored buoys in the equatorial Pacific. This array provides real-time observations in support of monitoring, analysis and prediction of seasonal to interannual variations in climate, most notably those related to the El Nino phenomenon. The CLIVAR SSG recognizes the importance of enhancing capabilities for measurements from these buoys and extending the coverage into other parts of the ocean. Enhancements in the far western Pacific and Indian Oceans will be particularly valuable since it is believed that atmospheric-ocean interactions there have important influences on variations in the Asian monsoon.
Accordingly, the proposed new buoy system from JAMSTEC, intended for deployment in the western Pacific and eastern Indian Oceans beginning in 1997, will support a wide range of sustained real-time observations and process-oriented studies, particularly those related to monsoon variability. Integration of TRITON and TAO will stabilize long-term support for the buoy array, especially by alleviating problems in obtaining adequate ship time to maintain the array west of the date line.
Therefore, the CLIVAR SSG warmly welcomes and enthusiastically endorses the JAMSTEC initiative. The SSG invites JAMSTEC to work with our panels in design and implementation of the network. We also encourage JAMSTEC to work closely with the TAO Implementation Panel to ensure coordinated deployment and maintenance of the array in the western Pacific within a multinational framework.
