On top of the change in leadership which we informed about recently, the 2020-2021 period is and will be marked with big changes for the IOCCP SSG. In the second part of 2020 we were lucky to be joined by two new SSG members: Emmanuel Boss (University of Maine, USA) taking responsibility for the new Particulate Matter theme; and Fei Chai (Second Institute of Oceanography, China) taking responsibility for the new Observations-Modelling Interface theme. In January 2021 we also welcomed Dariia Atamanchuk (Dalhousie University, Canada) as a new SSG member to take over the responsibility for the Instruments and Sensors theme. Please see below for more information on the themes led by our new SSG members, or visit their profiles. 

In addition, we are in the process of selecting another group of new SSG members based on many fantastic applications we received in response to the recent open call which closed on 31 January 2021. New SSG members are expected to join the Panel around April-May this year.

Emmanuel Boss (University of Maine, USA) has joined the Panel to take up the responsibility for enhancing coordination of activities around Particulate Matter EOV, with a strong focus on standardizing methodologies. As a member of the International Ocean Colour Coordinating Group (IOCCG) Scientific Advisory Committee, Emmanuel also helps IOCCP establish a direct link with the remote sensing community which is rapidly expanding its capacity for sustainable observations of biogeochemical parameters from space. Together with Emmanuel we created a new theme page for Particulate Matter. Please feel free to check it out here: http://www.ioccp.org/index.php/particulate-matter More content will gradually be developed as we engage in more activities. 

As a new IOCCP SSG member, Fei Chai will be responsible among other things for coordinating IOCCP's activities at the interface of biogeochemistry observations and modelling, as well as coordinating autonomous ocean interior observations. This will include potential solutions for better utilization of observations to support climate and ocean model forecasts and assessments as well as better use of model outputs to inform the design of the ocean observing system. Fei is also anxious to have China contribute more to international research planning and collaborations, thus helping IOCCP expand the global network of sustained and coordinated ocean observations of biogeochemistry and beyond. We are working with Fei on gradually developing more content for the new page for this theme: http://www.ioccp.org/index.php/obs-model

In January 2021 we also welcomed Dariia Atamanchuk (Dalhousie University, Canada) who joined the Panel to take up responsibility for the Instruments and Sensors theme, and also take charge of training activities organized by IOCCP. We believe that Dariia’s combined network of collaborators, working experience and expertise as sensor developer and user for various applications will significantly strengthen IOCCP’s ability to address the contemporary needs of our community concerning application and validation of new emerging tools in observing the global ocean, from coast to open ocean. You can check out our Instruments and Sensors page here: http://www.ioccp.org/index.php/instruments-and-sensors