The second phase of ODINAFRICA was developed to address the requirements that hadbeen identified, taking into account the work already done by RECOSCIX-CEA,RECOSCIX-WIO and ODINEA. ODINAFRICA-II in particular aimed at enabling memberstates from Africa to get access to data available in other data centres, develop skills formanipulation of data and preparation of data and information products, and developinfrastructure for archival, analysis and dissemination of the data and information products.The focus was on preparing databases, and data and information products for integratedmanagement of the coastal environments and resources, and in particular enabling theMember States to be able to addess the key issues identified in the African Process: (i)coastal erosion, (ii) management of key ecosystems and habitats, (iii) pollution, (iv)sustainable use of living resources, and (v) tourism.Ten new National Oceanographic Data and Information Centres (NODCs) have beenestablished in Benin, Cameroon, Comoros, Gabon, Ghana, Mauritania, Morocco, Senegal,Togo, and Tunisia during the current phase of ODINAFRICA, bringing the total number ofNODCs in Africa to 22.Support from the project enabled the NODCs in the participating Member States to cater fora wide range of activities such as operational expenses (including internet connection),development of meta databases and data archives, and development of data and informationproducts. The ODINAFRICA activities in each country were publicized through websites,brochures, information sheets, data summaries, calendars, meetings/seminars, lectures toeducational institutions, and meetings with key government officials.In order to improve networking between the ODINAFRICA institutions, databases developedat national level (such as directories of experts and institutions, meta databases, librarycatalogues etc) are now being collected, quality controlled and formatted for access via theInternet in order to encourage broader usage.The training and follow-up support has equipped the data and information managers with thetools to effectively manage their centres and develop relevant data and information productsfor their users. Several of the institutions have embarked on preparation of national marineatlases. However wide disparities in knowledge, capability and background of the trainees aswell as the difference in sizes and focus of the libraries and data centres provided a challengeto the resource persons.The participants at final planning and review meeting (8-9 September, Brussels, Belgium)endorsed the elements of the proposal for the next phase, which will encompass:development of an African Coastal Ocean Observing System; further development andstrengthening of the NODCs to enable them manage data streams from the coastalobservation network, and biogeographic and hydrological data streams; and development anddissemination of a wide range of data and information products required for the integratedmanagement of the coastal and marine environment/resources |
