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On 21 June for the second year  the Institute of Oceanology joined scientists from all over the world in Ocean Sampling Day 2015 campaign as a national hub coordinating sampling of both researchers and citizen science.  Partners in the initiative were Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research - BAS, Sofia (http://www.iber.bas.bg/?q=bg), participating also for a second year, students from the Elementary School “Kiril and  Metodii”- Varna and The Black Sea NGO Network members  (http://www.bsnn.org/bg/za_nas.html).

The Ocean Sampling Day (http://www.microb3.eu/osd) within the The EU 7FP project Micro B3 (http://www.microb3.eu/)   is a simultaneous coordinated sampling campaign aimed at investigation of microbial biodiversity of the world's oceans. This approach allows the establishment of modern unified database, covering the whole process from sampling to sequencing and analyses. In addition the establishment of network of researchers and citizens on global scale is really valuable.

In OSD2014 campaign, which also took place on the summer solstice, 150 samples from all continents were provided. This year over 180 participants all over the world took part in sampling to expand the database. Citizen scientists were actively involved in the campaign equipped in advance with special MyOSD Sampling Kits.

   
 
   
 

All samples and environmental data were sent to Max Plank Institute - Bremen, Germany for DNA extraction and sequencing and the results will be made publicly available as these of OSD2014 campaign, available at:

https://www.ebi.ac.uk/metagenomics/projects/ERP009703;jsessionid=038DD38F02117EA5AF698E7C2996778F

The collected samples, synchronized in time, space and environmental parameters, will provide insights into the fundamental patterns  of  microbial diversity and function and contribute to the blue economy through the identification of novel, ocean-derived biotechnologies.                                   

   
   
   
 

With deep regret we have to inform you that on 28.04.2015, after a short illness, Prof. Dr. Galina Shtereva, Scientific Secretary of the Institute of Oceanology - BAS, Head of the Marine Chemistry Department and a renowned expert on chemistry of marine waters, passed away. All of us grieve over the loss of a respected professional, colleague and friend.

Tribute to her memory!

   
 

Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO
Forum take place in Varna

   
 

Two international Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) forums were held between 19 and 21 March 2012 in Varna. The forums were organized by KORDI (Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute), Republic of Korea and hosted by the Institute of Oceanology, Bulgarian Academy of Science. Both forums were financially supported by MLTM (Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs), Republic of Korea.

The first forum on ‘The Future of IOC toward next 10 years and Its Implication for Member States including Republic of Korea’ was with the special participation of the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs Ministry of Republic of Korea. The forum was chaired by the Chairman of IOC- UNESCO Dr. Sang-Kyung BYUN, and was attended by the Executive Secretary IOC, ADG of UNESCO for IOC Dr. Wendy Watson-Wright, as well as four former IOC Chairpersons.

   
 
   
 

The second forum was ‘The Operational Oceanography of IOC (for Group II)’ Varna, Bulgaria, 20 – 21 March, 2012 was organized jointly with the participants from forum I as well as representatives of 11 countries members of IOC from group II (Eastern European Countries).

   
 
   
 

The aim of the form is exchange of information between the member state countries from Eastern Europe (group II) concerning the present state of the monitoring systems in the World Ocean, discovering the potential and the benefits of the future development of IOC operational oceanography in the region of Eastern Europe and development of regional operational oceanographic network for monitoring and research.

Regional network with the aim of exchange of the achievements of the operational oceanography for regional monitoring and research was established.
Discussions were held on the development of regional pilot projects for development of regional oceanography.

The forums were organized by Korea Ocean Research and Development Institute (KORDI), Republic of Korea and by the Institute of Oceanology, Bulgarian Academy of Science with the financial support of the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs Ministry of Republic of Korea.

Institute of Oceanology, Bulgarian Academy of Science was the host of both forums.

   
  PowerPoint presentations from forum II are available for download in pdf format.