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SOLUTIONS FOR THE OCEAN / INNOVATIONS | 65

PUBLIC CONFERENCE – AN IHO EVENT
High-definition mapping

of ocean bed

While, at the time of the first oceanographic cam- After an overview of current research programmes, “At sea, each of us can
paigns conducted by Prince Albert I, ocean map- cooperation projects showing promise between hy- play a role in improving
ping was primarily designed to improve the safety drography and oceanography were discussed by ocean knowledge: by
of navigation, these marine data are today used to eminent specialists. Ocean mapping was at the heart facilitating the sharing
inform decision-making in a large range of disciplines, of the topics addressed by the IGO, the organiser and of data, science is
including improved climate models and the develop- host of the conference in partnership with the Argo strengthened, safety
ment of the blue economy. Continuing to support project bureau and the Laboratory of Oceanography is improved and quite
knowledge enhancement, the International Hydro- in Villefranche (LOV/CNRS). An update was given on simply we start to gain a
graphic Organisation (IHO) actively promotes seabed progress in regard to the Nippon Foundation GEBCO better understanding.”
mapping, which contributes to sustainable ocean de- Seabed 2030 project, launched by the IHO with the Dr Mathias Jonas,
velopment. In cooperation with the Australian Hydro- support of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic IHO Secretary General
graphic Office and based on Argo data, a large-scale Commission of UNESCO. As IHO Secretary General,
project was presented at the public conference orga- Dr Mathias Jonas, explained, this major project, the
nised during Monaco Ocean Week on Wednesday 23 purpose of which is to map the ocean bed in high
March 2022. definition by 2030 is fully in line with the open data
approach.
When they reach the ocean floor, Argo floaters pro-
vide us with information on depth, enabling us to im-
prove ocean bed mapping. After analysing 2.7 million
profiles collected in these ocean regions, it was es-
tablished that this approach could be used to take
216,000 new depth measurements across the globe.
In Norway and New Zealand, the new data collected
as part of this project are accurate within the range of
7 to 8 metres.

To take things further, it was announced during the
workshop that an Argo pilot floater specifically de-
signed for bathymetry was being produced. A wel-
comed development for this project in which various
partners are involved.