First Paragraph
This special issue of Oceanography is published in honor of the fiftieth anniversary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). Established in 1960, IOC promotes international cooperation and coordinates programs in marine research, services, observation systems, hazard mitigation, and capacity development in order to learn more about and to better manage the nature and resources of ocean and coastal areas. Through the application of this knowledge, the Commission aims to improve the management practices and decision-making processes of its Member States (which now number more than 100), to foster sustainable development, and to protect the marine environment. Oceanography readers may remember that the first IOC Secretary was Warren Wooster, retired Professor of Oceanography at the University of Washington and one of the founding fathers of the North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES).