The JCOMM in situ Observations Programme Support Centre (JCOMMOPS) was established by the Joint WMO-IOC Technical Commission for Oceanography and Marine Meteorology (JCOMM) in 2001 based upon coordination facilities provided by the Data Buoy Cooperation Panel (including drifting and moored buoys), the Ship Observations Team (SOOP – XBT, TSG. ASAP – Atmospheric soundings from ships. VOS – Meteorological observations from ships) and Argo profiling float programme. Synergy was therefore realised between these three global marine observational programmes, which can assist those in charge of implementing the National components of these programmes, through an integrated and international approach. JCOMMOPS acts as a focal point for implementation and operation of relevant observing platforms. The Centre which is located in Brest (France) is funded thanks to voluntary contributions from IOC/UNESCO and WMO Member States, through the marine observing programmes and panels such as Argo, DBCP, OceanSITES, GO-SHIP, SOT, GLOSS. JCOMMOPS assists oceanographers and marine meteorologists worldwide in monitoring, optimizing and harmonizing in-situ elements of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS).
