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1. Message from TOS President, Martin Visbeck 

As this decade comes to a close, it’s a good time to reflect on achievements made in ocean science over the past ten years and to look forward to what can be accomplished over the next ten. Ocean science has made incredible progress towards more fully understanding the ocean system, however, almost every week we still discover something new and absolutely exciting. Innovation in observing technology from space and in-situ, increased access through robotic platforms, more precise and sensitive sensors and lab based analytics, the ability to process and analyze large data sets, massively improved ocean models and well trained students, engineers and professionals have allowed for incredible progress. At the same time ocean science and the knowledge it generates is increasingly considered by many other parts of society who don’t identify as ocean experts. Ocean information is critical to understanding and predicting weather and climate, and the ocean is playing a more noticeable role in food-security beyond traditional areas such as fisheries. Its ability to uptake carbon and cycle nutrients and the isolation of substances with beneficial use for chemical or medical application are just a few examples that have raised awareness of the important role the ocean plays for society. This recognition has led to the declaration of the U.N. Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development to be launched in 2021 until 2030. To shape the Ocean Decade, several planning events have been held or are planned including two recent events focusing on the Central Pacific and South Atlantic, and upcoming meetings in January focusing on the North Atlantic, Indian Ocean, and Mediterranean Sea.

We at TOS are supporting those activities and are eager to see our members engage as planning for the Ocean Decade advances. At the same time, TOS is taking inspiration from the start of the new decade to create the TOS Strategy 2030, a process that will chart the way forward for our organization. If you are interested in learning more about these plans, please visit this webpage which provides details on activities planned for the 2020 Ocean Sciences Meeting including a Town Hall, and participation in the TOS Strategy 2030 Retreat.

In closing, I’d like to wish our friends at AGU great success with their annual meeting this week in San Francisco; if you see me among the thousands in attendance, please say hello!

2. Nominate colleagues for TOS Honors by December 13, 2019

We have already received several excellent nominations, but there is still time to nominate a colleague for one of the new TOS Honors. In addition to the established TOS Fellows and updated Munk Medal, nominations are open for the Broecker Medal for achievements in marine geoscience, chemical oceanography or paleoceanography, and and the Sears Medal for achievements in biological oceanography. Full details available here.

3. TOS Council Election 

An email message was sent to all members on Monday, December 2, with instructions on voting in the 2019 TOS Council Election. Look for an email from “The Oceanography Society <invitations@mail.electionbuddy.com>” which will provide a link to your election ballot. If you have any questions, please contact Jenny Ramarui.

4. DIY Oceanography: Call for Contributions

Oceanography guest editors Melissa Omand and Emmanuel Boss are seeking contributions to DIY Oceanography. In this new section, contributing authors share all of the relevant information on a homemade sensor or instrument so that others can build, or build upon it. The short articles will also showcase how this technology was used successfully in the field.

Contributions should include a list of the materials and costs, instructions on how to build, and any blueprints and/or codes (those could be deposited elsewhere). See Oceanography’s Author Guidelines page for detailed information on submission requirements.

5. Save the Date! TOS Awards breakfast on Tuesday, February 18, 2020 in San Diego

All TOS members attending the 2020 Ocean Sciences Meeting in San Diego are invited to the complimentary TOS Awards Breakfast on Tuesday morning, February 18 at the Marriott Marquis. More information and RSVP instructions will be provided soon!