The GEOHAB Implementation Plan (GEOHAB, 2003) specifies the formation of Core Research Projects (CRPs) related to 4 ecosystems types: upwelling systems, fjords and coastal embayments, eutrophic systems and stratified systems. These CRPs are initiated through focused open science meetings.

An open science meeting on HABs in Stratified Systems was held in Paris, France, 5-8 December 2005. The Core Research Plan is now available and outlines the justification and research priorities for the study of relationships between HABs and stratification, as well as some of the new approaches and advanced instrumentation that may be considered.

Pakistan is setting up an earthquake detection and tsunami early warning system supported by  UNESCO and its Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC).

Installed at Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) centres in Karachi and Islamabad, the system can issue information on seismic activity within five minutes of its occurrence. Besides providing early warnings of land-based earthquakes to civil defence authorities, the system enables the national tsunami warning centre at PMD to send out speedy tsunami alerts for the Pakistani coastline.

The Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences (BIOS) is pleased to announce a second year of support from the Nippon Foundation for the NF-POGO Centre of Excellence in Observational Oceanography.
The Centre will offer a 10-month programme of study at BIOS on observational oceanography. Primarily for students from developing countries but also for students from developed countries with plans to network in or with developing countries. Tentative dates: 1 August 2009 to 31 May 2010.

Travel and living expenses of the trainees will be covered by the NF-POGO Programme.
Full details at http://www.bios.edu/education/cofe.html