5 
been funded almost exclusively by research appropriations. It is becoming evident, however, 
that basic research alone will not solve our social and ecological problems relating to the 
marine environment. What we need are internationally agreed long-term observation 
programmes which, comparable to those in meteorology, monitor the oceans systematically 
and routinely and enable us to make reliable predictions of changes taking place in the marine 
environment. In this way, adequate measures could be taken to protect ocean areas and ensure 
sustainable use of marine resources, to identify hazards at an early stage, and to take measures 
aimed at protecting the health of the oceans as well as human health. 
Research programmes provide a wealth of information on the natural processes taking place in 
the oceans, but they are too sporadic, regionally limited, and process-oriented to provide 
reliable data on the state of the marine environment in general and on the changes taking 
place. Routine long-term ocean observations are lacking. The scientific findings and 
technological know-how available by now, and the progress that has been made in the 
development of numerical prediction models now enable us to implement a Global Ocean 
Observing System (GOOS). 
GOOS can only be implemented as a long-term task on a secure basis, and not within the 
framework of project-oriented research programmes. Nevertheless, research projects may be 
useful for GOOS if they lead to an improvement of the operational observation programme. 
GOOS must be firmly rooted as a national task with a regular and secure budget. 
The Annex contains separate lists of the operational and research programmes that may affect 
GOOS.