PILOT REPORTING GEORGIA

1. PILOT REPORTING GEORGIA Dr. Kakhaber Bilashvili

2. The purpose of this information is not only to make a report on the Sea-Search development in Georgia, but it also aims to give you a clear view on the real situation with oceanographical data in the country.

3. Marine observations in Georgia until 1964 were provided by coastal stations and posts, which were under the authority of Ukraine Hydrometeorological Service. Since 1964 they were included into the network of Georgian Hydrometeorological Service. From 1971 until 1990, marine observations included all standard coastal and open sea parameters plus oil pollution measurements. Together with routine observations several expeditional investigations were held from the boards of local scientific vessels and in cooperation with Ukraine and Russia.

4. As it was said, until the early 90-ties there were: ·32 coastal meteostations and posts, 6 oceanographic tide gouges, 35 ship observational points and 45 posts for measuring the marine pollution. Collection, systematization and processing of network’s data was carried out in the Hydrometeorological Observatory in Batumi, which possessed the research vessel, hydrochemical lab and communication facilities. GEORGIA Black Sea Observation Point Hydrochemical Station Hydrochemical and Granulometric Observation Points Atmospheric Observation Point Radioactive (atmospheric) pollution point

5. As you can see, today there are only 5 stations and 2 tide gouges under operation in Georgia. The ship observation were almost stopped and the hydrochemical measurements occur episodically. GEORGIA Parameter measured: •   Conductivity •   T,S •   SO •   T •   Salinity •   PH •   Metals (Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb) •   Hydrocarbones •   N(NO2), NO3 •   NH •   P, total •   P(PO) • O2

6. ACTIVITIES DURING LAST 10 YEARS All developments in improving situation with marine observations are closely related with special programmes and projects, launched in Georgia by international financial and scientific institutions. The most important latest marine research programmes were identified as follows:         - TACIS Black Sea Biodiversity Project, which is implementing at the Batumi Black Sea Biodiversity regional Center or Regional Activity Center (RAC). - Integrated Coastal Zone Management Program (ICZMP) funded by World Bank, GEF and Dutch Government. - ARENA - Sea-Search - In 1999 the telecommunication system from METEO-France was launched in the Dep. of Hydrometeorology, and hence, forecasting products, such as, marine short and medium range forecasting service will be available soonly.

7. ACTIVITIES DURING LAST 10 YEARS All developments in improving situation with marine observations are closely related with special programmes and projects, launched in Georgia by international financial and scientific institutions. The most important latest marine research programmes were identified as follows:     - As a part of newly establishing national oceanological infrastructure Oceanological Research Centre (1996) and Designated National Agency of UNESCO was established in year of 2001. - Assessment of the coastal erosion funded by Government of Netherlands.

8. Due to this last Project it should be mentioned that in former Soviet Union considerable scientific and practical experience was gained in Georgia in the field of coastal protection. It was carried out by “SAKNAPIRDATSVA” Company, resulted in restoration of 56 hectares of beach in Batumi and Poti regions. This Center is preserving valuable amount of oceanographical data, mainly coastal.

9. WHAT HAS BEEN DONE In the past period DNA has undertaken the following: - Prepared the corresponding facilities at the Dep. Of Meteorology and Oceanology of the Tbilisi State University - Purchased necessary equipment - Prepared the staff (young scientists with the help of IOC and NATO sfp Programme, MEDAR-MEDATLAS and other international Projects managed to get considerable qualification to carry out the DNA functions). - Prepared Oceanological Data and Information Management Manual (in Georgian) for the students of the oceanological, meteorological, hydrological and merging specialties of the University, academician scientists and end-users. • Participated in number of international projects: Floating University, MEDAR- MEDATLAS, NATO sfp program, Sea-Search, Arena, etc.

10. POLICY AND MANAGEMENT MEASURES The main tasks of the DNA are: • To develop the warehouse functions and preparing the inventory of geological, biological, physical and chemical oceanographic data for the Georgian part of the Black Sea. - To deploy national wide oceanographical informational network (in the frames of Sea-Search project). - To provide metadata catalogue. - To involve more young scientists and students in marine data management activities. - To provide an on-line access to the data through creating of DNA’s web-site. - To lunch new discipline “Oceanographical Data Management’’ at the Dep. Of Meteorology and Oceanology. - Unfortunately, for the reason of civil war in the beginning of 90-ties a large massive of the data has been partly lost and partly redistributed in various places. Now an additional efforts, time and resources are necessary to rescue and formate them. This work is under realization too.

11. What has been done in the frames of Sea-Search - Created 3 working groups (ROSCOP, EDMERP, EDMED) and organized 2-day training for local personnel involved in project. - Drown up a draft list of the producers and owners of oceanographical data and information. - Disseminated EDMED, ROSCOP, and EDMERP forms and software among respodents. - Visited the main dataholders through Georgia. - Established communication network between dataholders. - Began to compile the first metadata catalogue of oceanological data existing in Georgia. - Provided Sea-Search with requested information.

12. What should be done: - Permanent provision of entries for Sea-Search database network - Upgrading the professional qualification of staff through: - Launching the specialty of data managing at the Tbilisi State University. - Trainings within the international Projects. - Participation of young scientists in Sea-Search, Arena etc. meetings, workshops, scientific conferences. - Design and support of the technology for operational numerical marine forecast. - Support and participation in the B.S. Intranet. - Ensure strong collaboration in the Black Sea basin and Europe wide, through: - Launching the communication network. - Exchange of oceanological data information. - Sharing knowledge and capacity building. - Creating of common product with project partners. - Cooperation with corresponding governmental, scientific, NGO and other institutions and projects. - Arising of public awareness.

13. Thank You