Participation by Australia in the second International Indian Ocean Expedition (2016-2020)

Australia made a significant contribution to the first International Indian Ocean Expedition. Five decades on, both the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and the Scientific Committee for Oceanic Research have... [ view full abstract ]

Australia made a significant contribution to the first International Indian Ocean Expedition. Five decades on, both the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and the Scientific Committee for Oceanic Research have motivated for a modern phase of co-ordinated international research in the Indian Ocean, namely, a second International Indian Ocean Expedition (IIOE-2: 2016-2020). The planned research is ambitious and concentrates on six themes. These are human impacts on the Indian Ocean; boundary current dynamics and upwelling; monsoon variability and ecosystem response; circulation, climate variability and change; extreme events and associated ecosystem responses and impacts; and discovery of unique physical, geological, biogeochemical and ecological features of the Indian Ocean. The planned research will provide a rich framework of data, process understanding and input to oceanographic, climate, bio-geochemical and ecosystem modelling through open ocean science. There will also be strong links to continental shelf and coastal systems and coupled climatic phenomena affecting society. The IOC Assembly of 147 Member States is formally considering the science and complementary plans for the expedition, as well as governance and timeframes for implementation, through an international IIOE-2 Planning Committee. Australia has formed a National Committee to lead participation in Indian Ocean research over the next five years. With the new Marine National Facility RV Investigator now commissioned and the Integrated Marine Observing System well–developed, various initiatives and planning are now underway for Australia to contribute to the second international Indian Ocean Expedition.