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SCAR Circular No 737 (9 November 1999)
Meeting of the SCAR Executive Committee
Goa, India, 20-24 September 1999
Present: Dr R H Rutford, President; Professor A C Rocha-Campos, Past-President; Dr F J Davey, Dr J Valencia, Professor A D M Walker, Dr R Schlich, Vice-Presidents; Dr P D Clarkson, Executive Secretary.
The Executive Committee Meeting was held in conjunction with the Eleventh Meeting of the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programmes (COMNAP XI) at the Majorda Beach Resort, Goa, India. Mr Luizinho Faleiro, Chief Minister of Goa, welcomed the delegates to Goa and officially opened the meetings. Dr A E Muthunayagam, Secretary, Government of India, Department of Ocean Development, and Dr Prem Pandey, Director, National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research expressed their pleasure at hosting the meetings in Goa and wished the delegates success in their discussions.
On behalf of the SCAR Executive Committee, Dr R H Rutford, President of SCAR, expressed his thanks to Dr Muthunayagam and Dr Pandey for inviting the SCAR Executive to hold its meeting in Goa, and to Dr Arabinda Mitra who had organized the meetings and made all the necessary arrangements.
1. Adoption of the Agenda
The draft agenda as submitted was approved with the addition of Item 10.3 CCAMLR. The members agreed to act as rapporteurs for the various agenda items.
2. Global Change and the Antarctic
2.1Group of Specialists
The Draft Report of the Seventh Meeting of the Group of Specialists on the Antarctic and Global Change (GLOCHANT), held in Durham, New Hampshire, United States, April 1999, was reviewed by the Executive Committee. The Executive was pleased to note that the report indicates satisfactory progress on the majority of the activities undertaken by GLOCHANT.
2.2 Programme Office
The Executive Committee noted with regret the resignation of Dr Ian D Goodwin, Programme Coordinator, at the SCAR Global Change Programme Office. The Executive Committee also received a paper from Dr J H Priddle, Convenor of GLOCHANT, on this and other matters. This prompted a lengthy discussion concerning the future of the GLOCHANT programme and the Programme Office.
The questions raised by the resignation of Dr Goodwin and the uncertainty of Dr Priddle's continuation as the Convenor are as follows:
a. How much longer will the Programme Office be needed and should its function change?
b. What is the Australian funding position for the next 4 years?
c. What are the funding implications for SCAR for the next 4 years?
d. Should Dr Goodwin be replaced and, if so, by whom and with what kind of appointment?
Following the discussion of these questions, the Executive Secretary was asked to contact Professor Paltridge, Director of the Antarctic Cooperative Research Centre at the University of Tasmania, to seek information regarding the Australian funding position and his views on a possible replacement for Dr Goodwin. The views of the members of the Group of Specialists will also be sought on how to complete the unfinished business of GLOCHANT and whether or not a replacement for Dr Goodwin will be necessary to achieve this.
It was recognized that the three major programmes of GLOCHANT (ASPeCt, ANTIME and ITASE) are mature programmes and may not need the continuing support of the Group of Specialists and/or the Programme Office. It appears that the major science issue to be addressed is that of the mass balance of the Antarctic ice sheet. If so, it would seem reasonable that the replacement for Dr Goodwin should be a scientist oriented towards the promotion of an ice sheet mass balance study.
2.3 Relations with START, IGBP and WCRP
SCAR was represented at the 2nd Congress of the International Geosphere&endash;Biosphere Programme by Dr J H Priddle. SCAR global change research is in the category of a "regional global change activity". Attendance at this meeting provided an opportunity to liaise with representatives of the System for Analysis, Research and Training (START) and the following programmes: Global Change and Terrestrial Ecosystems (GCTE); Past Global Changes (PAGES); Joint Global Ocean Flux Study (JGOFS); Land&endash;Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone (LOICZ); Global Ocean Ecosystems Dynamics Research (GLOBEC). A presentation was made to the Scientific Steering Committee of PAGES on several aspects of the GLOCHANT programme.
It was noted that SCAR involvement in the IGBP Congress resulted in the following:
- Acceptance of the GLOCHANT book "Antarctica, the global environment and global change" as an IGBP publication;
- Serious interest by GCTE in the developing programme on Regional Sensitivity to Climate Change in Antarctic Regional Ecosystems (RiSCC);
- A continuing high profile and support for GLOCHANT from PAGES, GLOBEC and JGOFS;
- A developing importance in IGBP regional integration.
Dr Priddle also attended the International Climate Variability (CLIVAR) Conference during December 1998. He noted several areas where GLOCHANT programmes could integrate with CLIVAR activities and these opportunities should be explored.
3. Antarctic Data
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3.1 SCAR–COMNAP Joint Committee on Antarctic Data Management
The Executive received the draft report of the third meeting of the Joint Committee on Antarctic Data Management (JCADM) held in Toronto, Canada, during June 1999. It was noted that the Committee had met with the Arctic data management group and this was seen as a positive development.
3.2 Antarctic Master Directory (AMD)
A report on the status and future proposals for the Antarctic Master Directory was received from Mr M Thorley. This report had been commissioned from JCADM by the Steering Committee for the AMD. Mr Thorley had consulted closely with Dr J Shearer, the new manager of the International Centre for Antarctic Information and Research (ICAIR) that is now relocated within the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. This move had been consequent on the restructuring of ICAIR and the transfer of responsibility from the Royal Society of New Zealand to the University of Canterbury.
The Executive noted that the establishment of National Antarctic Data Centres (NADC) was not yet complete and that, of the eighteen established, few were fully operational and submitting full metadata descriptions to the AMD. In order to accelerate the entry of metadata descriptions files, and to facilitate use of the AMD, Dr Shearer had begun making minimal metadata entries of information given in the Annual Reports to SCAR. Mr Thorley's report noted these two significantly different approaches and offered some potential solutions to the problem with a draft work plan for the coming year.
There was an extensive discussion of the report and its various implications. It was noted that some disciplines already have easy access to databases via existing global networks. Thus different disciplines have different needs. The Executive was of the firm opinion that simplicity of metadata entry and access to the metadata files by scientists seeking information should be the over-riding principle for the structure of the AMD. It was agreed to recommend this principle to the Steering Committee to determine how this could be best achieved. The Executive noted that action was a matter for the Steering Committee, comprising the funding partners of the AMD, but that the SCAR representative to the Committee should express the views of the Executive at its next meeting to be held in Goa during the current meeting.
The status and possible future directions for the AMD were discussed at the joint COMNAP/SCAR Exec meeting in the afternoon of 21 September. The meeting noted the change in environment regarding integrated database systems, and expressed the need to ascertain what the present users of the AMD want. Users could be identified in some areas but links into existing global database systems were needed. They also considered that a simple DIF was preferred. The meeting noted the South American workshop on NADCs and the enthusiastic support for it. The joint Exec meeting noted that some broader concerns regarding the value and utility of the AMD needed addressing. The work plan outlined by the Thorley paper was considered reasonable.
The meeting of the Steering Committee for the AMD noted the comments of the Joint SCAR/COMNAP Exec meeting on the AMD project. It agreed that the environment and technology for database systems had advanced significantly since the project had started. It was noted that the project was an important example of an integrated SCAR/COMNAP initiative. Varying views were expressed on the use of a system and the need to get scientist support. The standards of the metadata descriptions may vary between disciplines but needed to be consistent across NADCs. Two main areas of work were needed, i) NADC development &endash; a national responsibility but with ICAIR/JCADM mentoring, and ii) interaction between NADCs &endash; a ICAIR/JCADM task. It was proposed that SCAR and SCAR WGs should be asked to define the metadata standards for a discipline. The Steering Committee agreed that the contract with ICAIR should support the technical advice to NADCs, and to develop links between NADCs using the GCMD. Approval for the third part of the Thorley paper proposed work plan, demonstration of the capability of the AMD, was delayed until successful completion of the first two parts. The Steering Committee sought the support of SCAR/COMNAP for future funding for the AMD, subject to the proposed work being successful, before committing funding for the continuation of the project.
SCAR Executive noted these conditions, and agreed that SCAR was unable to commit to future support from its present resources and would need to consult with its National Committees and Chief Officers. It noted that the facility would be of most value to scientists starting in Antarctic research and to countries developing Antarctic research programmes, rather than to scientists in established research programmes.
4. COMNAP and SCALOP
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4.1 Environmental Monitoring Handbook
The Executive Committee attended part of the Antarctic Environmental Officers Network (AEON) Workshop to hear the presentation by Dr M C Kennicutt of progress on the preparation of the Handbook on Environmental Monitoring. The first draft is scheduled for distribution, by mid-October, to SCAR and COMNAP for comment. Dr Walton is the SCAR contact and will arrange for comment within SCAR as appropriate.
4.2 Agenda for Joint Meeting of SCAR and COMNAP Executive Committees
The agenda for the Joint Meeting was agreed with the COMNAP Executive Committee. The report of the meeting is attached as Appendix 1.
5. Groups of Specialists
5.1 Report of GOSEAC XI Meeting
The Executive Committee received the report of the Eleventh meeting of the Group of Specialists on Environmental Affairs and Conservation (GOSEAC XI) held in Montevideo, Uruguay, July 1999. The membership of the Group was discussed and it was agreed that it should remain unchanged at present but that the President would discuss possible future changes in membership with the Convenor.
The Group had proposed a revision of its Terms of Reference to reflect better the current role and activity of the Group. The Executive accepted this revision with some minor changes of wording so that the Terms of Reference of the Group are now as follows:
1. To advise SCAR on scientific and related matters concerning environmental affairs and conservation in the SCAR area of interest, in particular:
- application of environmental criteria relating to research activities and associated logistic support, as well as relevant commercial activities, and development of best practice;
- environmental impact assessment and monitoring;
- protected areas;
- future requirements in environmental management and conservation;
- environmental education.
2. To maintain links with international organizations, inter alia, CCAMLR and IUCN, through the SCAR Executive Committee.
3. To communicate with SCAR and COMNAP subsidiary groups on relevant environmental issues.
The Executive welcomed the work done by GOSEAC on the scoping exercise for the State of the Antarctic Environment Report (SAER) as requested by XXIII ATCM. It was proposed to circulate the relevant section of the report to National Committees and Chief Officers as a basis for the workshop on this topic to be held at XXVI SCAR in Tokyo.
The Executive Committee noted the valuable work done by GOSEAC on a number of other issues that relate to requests for advice from the ATCM.
5.2 Seals
It was regretted that no report had been received from the Group of Specialists on Seals but it was accepted that this may have been due to electronic communication problems at the SCAR Secretariat during the two weeks immediately prior to the meeting.
5.3 ANTEC
The meeting received a report on the activities of the Group of Specialists on Antarctic Neotectonics (ANTEC) since XXV SCAR in Concepción, Chile, July 1998. It was noted that the Group had not yet held a formal meeting but the members had taken several opportunities to meet informally when several of them had been together attending other meetings. In this way, and working by electronic mail, the Group had developed a poster illustrating ANTEC objectives and strategies that had been displayed at various relevant international meetings. In addition, a web site has been established giving further details of the Group's activities and aims (http://www.scar-ggi.org.au/geodesy/antec/antec.htm)
6. Working Groups
Prior to the meeting, Chief Officers were requested to submit brief activity reports to the Executive Committee. Reports were received from the Working Groups on Geodesy and Geographic Information, Geology, Human Biology and Medicine, Physics and Chemistry of the Atmosphere, and Solar-Terrestrial and Astrophysical Research. In addition reports of some workshops were also tabled. The Executive Committee welcomed these useful reports and regretted that no reports had been received from the Working Groups on Biology and Solid-Earth Geophysics but it was accepted that this may have been due to electronic communication problems at the SCAR Secretariat during the two weeks immediately prior to the meeting. These reports will be posted on the SCAR web site.
7. SCAR Meetings
7.1 XXVI SCAR
The Executive agreed that the programmes of the Working Groups and the Meeting of Delegates would be arranged to meet the following requirements:
- Improved efficiency of the handling of business by the Working Groups
- Better communication between Working Groups, Executive and Delegates.
- Substantial attention to science in the programmes of the Working Groups
- Better preparation of resolutions, budgets and reports for the attention of the Meeting of Delegates.
- Opportunity for discussion between SCAR and COMNAP.
- Ample time for discussion of the report of the Internal SCAR review
- Greater involvement of SCAR delegates in the discussion of important items.
- Discussion of tasks originating from the ATCM.
Working Groups and Groups of Specialists
Chief Officers will be contacted to inform them of the following requirements:
- They will be requested to be available from the afternoon of Sunday 9 July 2000 to Monday 17 July 2000 inclusive.
- They will be requested to meet with the Executive on Sunday 9 July 2000 before the welcoming reception. Here they will be briefed on budgeting requirements by R Schlich, on the correct preparation of resolutions by F Davey, and on preparation of reports by J. Valencia. They will also meet with the Executive on Saturday to discuss their draft reports and related matters.
- They will be asked to set the afternoon of Wednesday 12 July 2000 aside in their programme for a joint discussion on the scoping exercise for the SAER.
- They will be requested to provide an advance draft of the agenda for the work of their groups by 1 June 2000.
- They will be notified that their draft reports, budget requests, and any resolutions should be provided to the Executive Secretary by 2000 on Friday 14 July 2000. Final reports are due by 1800 on Sunday 16 July 2000.
- Chief Officers will have the opportunity to present comments on the report of the Review Committee to the Meeting of Delegates on the morning of Monday 17 July 2000 together with their reports. Chief Officers of groups not meeting at XXV SCAR should send comments from their groups to the Executive Secretary by 1 July 2000.
Other Interactions
The open joint meeting of the COMNAP and SCAR Executives will take place on the morning of Saturday 15 July 2000 to discuss science programmes and other matters of mutual interest.
SCAR Delegates Meeting
Seating will be arranged so that only one person from each Full, Associate and Union Members will sit at the table in order to provide better interaction. Alternate Delegates, advisers and others will be seated appropriately.
Monday 17 July 2000 will be devoted to the reports of and other interaction with Chief Officers, and to clearing routine business.
In order to involve Delegates more intimately in the discussion of major items such as the Review Report and the Scoping Exercise the meeting will divide into three groups of Delegates, with 9 or 10 members, each led by two members of the Executive, as was proposed at XXV SCAR. An explanatroy circular will be sent to all National Committees by the SCAR Secretariat.
7.2 XXVII SCAR
Dr Liqi Chen, the Chinese Delegate to SCAR, confirmed his National Committee's offer to host the XXVII SCAR meeting in China, probably in Shanghai.
8. Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings
8.1 XXIII ATCM
The report of the SCAR observers at XXIII ATCM in Lima, Peru, during
May&endash;June 1999, was tabled. The Executive Committee considered the
report and the draft Final Report of XXIII ATCM to ascertain the tasks requested
of SCAR. Five specific requests to SCAR were identified and the
relevant response
actions are given below at item 8.2.
The Executive Committee also agreed that there should be mutual links between the SCAR, COMNAP, ATCM, and CEP web sites.
The Executive Commitee noted that appreciation expressed by the ATCM for the advice and information that SCAR provides.
8.2 SCAR and SCAR&endash;COMNAP responses
In the context of the review of the report of the SCAR observers at XXIII ATCM in Lima, Peru, during May&endash;June 1999, the Executive Committee identified the following list of responses that SCAR will submit to XXIV ATCM:
a. Specially Protected Species
SCAR will develop a Working Paper to review the current list of Specially Protected Species at Appendix 1 of Annex II of the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty. The Group of Specialists on Seals and the Working Group on Biology, including the Working Group's Subcommittee on Bird Biology, should prepare a draft Working Paper for the Executive Committee to submit to the next meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection.
b. State of the Antarctic Environment Report (SAER)
SCAR will develop a Working Paper that will report the results of a scoping exercise to be done in a half-day workshop scheduled during XXV SCAR. The paper should describe the key environmental variables, indicate the availability of data, identify future threats to the environment and indicate links with state of the environment reports for other parts of the world.
The Executive Committee also identified the following responses that need to be developed jointly between SCAR and COMNAP:
a. Diseases of Antarctic Wildlife
SCAR will develop a Working Paper commenting on the full report of the Workshop on Diseases of Antarctic Wildlife held in Hobart, Australia, 25&endash;28 August 1998. When this report is received, Dr D W H Walton, Convenor of the Group of Specialists on Environmental Affairs and Conservation (GOSEAC), will coordinate the comments from appropriate persons within SCAR and COMNAP and prepare a draft Working Paper for the SCAR and COMNAP Executive Committees to submit to the next meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection.
b. Environmental Liability
SCAR will develop a Working Paper discussing the operational and scientific aspects of preventative measures and response action, and the criteria for defining certain terms in relation to environmental damage: The Executive Committee examined a draft paper prepared by GOSEAC that offered some discussion and proposals for definitions relating to environmental liability as requested in Resolution 5 (1999). This draft was approved and was passed to COMNAP for consideration as a contribution towards a joint SCAR-COMNAP Working Paper. The SCAR and COMNAP Executive Committees agreed that a joint ad hoc group should address this matter, working by electronic communication. The Membership of the group will be: from SCAR: R H Rutford (Chairman), A C Rocha-Campos, J Valencia; and from COMNAP: E Chiang, H Gernandt, A Modig. The group will prepare a first draft addressing XXIII ATCM Resolution 5 (1999) by 1 May 2000, that will be circulated for comment with responses received by 15 June 2000.
c. Rationalization of SCAR, COMNAP and ATCM annual reporting requirements
To continue considering ways in which the annual reports to SCAR, advance exchanges of information within COMNAP, and the annual exchanges of information between Treaty Parties may be rationalized: Mr G Guthridge (United States) is revitalizing the COMNAP Information Network (INFONET) to develop appropriate formats for these various annual reporting requirements. It was agreed with the COMNAP Executive Committee that the SCAR and COMNAP Executive Secretaries should be the contact points on INFONET to assist with this process.
8.3 XXIV ATCM
XXIV ATCM was scheduled to be hosted by Poland during 2000 but the Polish Delegate announced that his government could not host a meeting until 2001. The meeting agreed that an ATCM would be needed in 2000 and asked the United States, as depositary government, to coordinate offers to host a minimal meeting in 2000. Tentative offers to host the meeting were made by Australia and The Netherlands. The Executive Secretary was requested to keep his ear to the ground and advise the Executive of any intelligence received. FIX !!!!
9. Relationships with ICSU bodies
9.1 ICSU
The Annual Report of SCAR to the International Council for Science (ICSU) was tabled and approved.
9.2 SCOR
The Executive Committee received the report of Dr J H Priddle who represented SCAR at the Twenty-third General Meeting of the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR). This was discussed more fully at agenda item 2.
9.3 Others
No reports from other organizations were tabled.
10. Relationships with other bodies
10.1 IASC
The Executive Committee noted that the third meeting of the Joint Committee on Antarctic Data Management (JCADM) had been held in Toronto, Canada, 7&endash;10 June 1999 in parallel with the sixth meeting of the Council of the International Arctic Environment Data Directory (IAEDD). This opportunity the Committee to interact with members of its Arctic counterpart was welcomed.
Dr Rutford represented SCAR at the dedication of the International Arctic Research Centre at the University of Fairbanks, United States, 27 August 1999. The presence of SCAR was acknowledged in the addresses.
10.2 IAATO
The Executive Secretary was invited to represent SCAR at the 10th Annual Meeting of the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) in Hamburg, Germany, June 1999. The paper he presented to that meeting was tabled for the Executive Committee, together with his report of the meeting.
10.3 CCAMLR
A report by Dra E S E Fanta, who had attended the meeting of the Scientific Committee and the Commission of the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) as a representative from GOSEAC, was tabled for information.
It was noted that Dra Fanta had agreed to be the formal SCAR representative at the forthcoming meetings of CCAMLR.
10.4 IUCN
Dr Schlich represented SCAR at the 50th anniversary celebrations of The World Conservation Union (IUCN) in Fontainbleu, France, 3&endash;5 November 1998.
10.5 IGC
RHR to provide details.
11. Finance
11.1 1998 Financial Statements
The Executive Committee reviewed the Financial Statements for the year ending 31 December 1998 in relation to the Budget for 1998 (Appendices 3 and 4).
The amended Budget for 1998 of $350,000 was adopted by the XXV SCAR Delegates Meeting in Concepción, Chile. The increase in expenses of $20,000 related to some adjustments resulting from the closure of the Group of Specialists on Southern Ocean Ecology and to changes in the structure of the programmes of the Working Group on Solar-Terrestrial and Astrophysical Research, and to the decision to increase the allocation to the IASC/SCAR Global Change Symposium, will be accommodated by the contingency funds within the overall budget of $350,000.
The 1998 income ($277,861) is clearly less than anticipated; only 65% of national contributions were received but an additional $72,366 were received in payment of arrears.
The 1998 expenditure ($330,263) was slightly below the expected budget but shows a strong increase in the Groups of Specialists expenses that was partly compensated by a reduction in the costs of other scientific activities. The 1998 publication expenses will appear on the 1999 statement.
The overall statement of income and expenditure for 1998 shows an excess of expenditure over income of $52,402.
11.2 1999 and 2000 Budgets
The Budgets for 1999 and 2000, as adopted by the XXV SCAR Delegates Meeting in Concepción , Chile, were tabled and amended to take into account the following:
a. recruitment expenses of about $10,000 committed in 1998 but not paid until 1999;
b. expenses of the ad hoc Group on SCAR Organization and Strategy of about $30,000 (equally divided between the two years).
The corresponding increase in expenditure ($40,000) will be taken from the SCAR reserve. The balanced budget for 1999 becomes $415,000 and the balanced budget for 2000 becomes $395,000 (Appendices 5 and 6)
The Executive Committee considered an application for $11,000 to support an extension to the BEDMAP Programme. The Executive is prepared to consider support of the BEDMAP initiative (co-sponsored by SCAR) but it will require a formal application from the Working Group on Glaciology to which the programme is affiliated. The Executive Committee also recalled that salary costs cannot normally be considered for funding.
The Executive Committee reviewed and approved the plan presented by the Executive Secretary for up-grading the existing computing facilities in the SCAR Secretariat.
11.3 National Contributions
The Executive Committee noted with great concern that some Associate Members have never paid their annual contributions and that some other Members still have serious arrears. Excluding contributions due in 1998 and 1999, there are six Members with unpaid contributions (Estonia, Bulgaria, Ukraine Uruguay, The Netherlands and Pakistan).
Estonia (arrears for 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996) and Bulgaria (arrears for 1995, 1996, 1997) will receive a final reminder and will be considered to have withdrawn from membership of SCAR if no reply is received within 60 days under the terms of the SCAR Consitution FIX.
Ukraine (arrears for 1995, 1996, 1997) paid its 1999 contribution and a reminder for the outstanding arrears will be sent.
Uruguay (arrears for 1996, 1997) advised that payment of these contributions for 1993, 1994 and 1995 was made via ICSU but these sums were never credited to SCAR. The Executive Secretary will request copies of the bank transfer documents and take the appropriate action to recover these sums. A reminder relating to the 1996 and 1997 arrears will be sent by the Executive Secretary.
The Executive Secretary will also send reminders to The Netherlands (arrears for 1997) and Pakistan (arrears for 1997).
11.4 ICSU grant for 2000
The SCAR Executive Committee gratefully acknowledges the award of an ICSU grant for $80,000 to support the project on "The use of marine birds and mammals as monitors of changes in oceanographic conditions". The Executive congratulated Dr Y LeMaho.
11.5 Other matters
Prior to the XXVI SCAR Delegates Meeting in Tokyo, Japan, during July 2000, and after the completion of the Statement of Income and Expenditure for 1999, Dr Schlich, Chairman of the Standing Finance Committee will visit the SCAR Secretariat to review the accounts to be presented at XXVI SCAR.
A new "Application for SCAR Funds" form will be prepared with all necessary instructions and this will be distributed to all National Committees and Chief Officers in advance of XXVI SCAR.
Dr J Valencia and Professor A D M Walker have resigned from the Standing Finance Committee following their elections as Vice-Presidents of SCAR. The Executive Committee agreed to invite Dr G Kleinschmidt and Professor S L Chown to become members of the Standing Finance Committee.
12. SCAR Strategy and Functions
12.1 ad hoc Group on SCAR Organization and Strategy
The Executive received an Interim Report by Mr P M Smith (Chairman) on
the work of the ad hoc Group on SCAR Organization and Strategy. The Interim
Report
summarized the work of the ad hoc Group up to, and including, its meeting
in Cambridge, United Kingdom, 16&endash;17 August 1999. The document covered
the process being used for the review. It noted the changes in the environment
in
which SCAR operates. A number of issues and options were identified regarding
SCAR's mission and goals, strategy, organization, and management, that the
review should address, and the group is currently working through these factors.
The
Group noted that it planned to continue its work via e-mail and to hold a
second and final meeting in January 2000, possibly in Argentina, to complete
the review
report.
Dr Davey (a member of the ad hoc Group) gave an overview of some of the more significant structural and operational issues. In the following discussion, the Executive Committee reinforced the need for the review to address the following factors:
- the relationship to ICSU and the need to be consistent with ICSU's new mission and goals;
- whether SCAR's operations are consistent with its status as an ICSU committee (rather than a Union);
- how to accommodate the differing attitudes towards, and expectations of, SCAR by different Member countries;
- national contribution considerations;
- implications for SCAR of ATCM requests for advice;
- reduced ability by the scientific community to support volunteer organisations such as SCAR; and
- SCAR links to the science community and institutes/organizations.
Members of the Executive Committee were encouraged to submit to the ad hoc Group details of any further issues that they considered impacted on the review.
12.2 Secretariat
The Executive Secretary tabled the report on the evolution and operation of the SCAR Secretariat that had been prepared for the ad hoc group on SCAR Organization and Strategy. He also tabled a report from a consultant concerning the current status of the computing facilities in the Secretariat with recommendations for up-grading both the hardware and software. The Executive Committee agreed with the recommendations except that the replacement of the computers should be staggered by two years to smooth the budget requirements while maintaining current technological facilities in at least one machine.
The SCAR web site was discussed and various improvements were suggested. It was proposed that there should be a separate page of links to other non-SCAR web sites that the casual visitor to the site might find interesting or useful. However, this page should show clearly that opinions expressed on these sites do not necessarily accord with those of SCAR. The Executive Committee also agreed that greater use of the web site should be encouraged to reduce the numbers of paper copies of SCAR documents that are distributed routinely. Nevertheless, it was accepted that distribution of paper copies would continue to be necessary for library and archival purposes.
The Executive Committee confirmed the appointment of the Executive Secretary for the 5-year term of his contract to 30 September 2003. There will be annual performance reviews of the Executive Secretary and staff.
12.3 Review of XXIV SCAR Recommendations
The Executive Committee reviewed the recommendations from XXV SCAR, noting those that had achieved their purpose. The Executive Secretary was instructed to re-transmit to the appropriate bodies those recommendations that are still current.
12.4 Other matters
There were no other matters raised.
13. Any other business
There being no further business, the President declared the meeting closed and thanked the members for their participation.
Joint Meeting of the SCAR and COMNAP Executive Committees
Goa, India, 21 and 23 September 1999
Report of the Meeting
Present: SCAR: R H Rutford, A C Rocha-Campos, F J Davey, J Valencia, A D M Walker, R Schlich, P D Clarkson
COMNAP: G M Wratt, P Eberhard, D van Schalkwyk, J C A Sayers
1. Chair's Introduction
According to the established practice of rotation, Ms Gillian Wratt, the Chair of COMNAP, chaired this joint meeting.
1.1 COMNAP Meeting up-date
Ms Wratt gave a brief overview of developments to date in the COMNAP meeting.
1.2 SCAR Meeting up-date
Dr Robert Rutford, President of SCAR, spoke briefly on the report of the first meeting of the ad hoc Group on SCAR Organization and Strategy, explaining that it had examined process rather than substance.
2. ATCM Open Ended Discussion Groups
2.1 State of the Antarctic Environment Report
Dr Rutford outlined the SCAR proposal to hold a half-day workshop during the first week of XXV SCAR in Tokyo, probably on Wednesday afternoon. This would be a scoping exercise to develop a Working Paper for the following ATCM. It was recognized that there could be considerable interest in this workshop among COMNAP representatives. It was suggested that, to facilitate attendance by COMNAP, it might be advantageous to coordinate the scheduling of the workshop with the SCALOP Symposium. The Executive Secretaries were ask to maintain contact concerning these arrangements.
2.2 Liability Definitions
COMNAP is proposing a task group to plan a strategy for responding to XXIII ATCM Resolution 5 (1999) and it was suggested that it should comprise three members from each of SCAR and COMNAP, that will work electronically. After further discussion it was agreed that the membership would be: from SCAR: R H Rutford, A C Rocha-Campos, J Valencia; from COMNAP: E Chiang, H Gernandt, A Modig.
2.3 Handbook Environmental Monitoring Techniques
Most participants at the meeting had attended the presentation of the progress report on the handbook by Dr M C Kennicutt who is undertaking publication on behalf of COMNAP. As COMNAP is now the lead organization on this, COMNAP will report on progress to XXIV ATCM. Dr Walton is the SCAR contact for reviewing the draft and he will be consulting with others inside SCAR.
2.4 Diseases of Antarctic Wildlife
A photocopy of a report on the workshop of this title that was held in Australia during August 1998 was tabled. SCAR and COMNAP have been asked to comment on the workshop report and to report to the third meeting of the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP III). SCAR will circulate the report for comment when a copy or copies have been received formally and will respond to Australia and prepare a paper for the next ATCM.
2.5 Information Exchange
COMNAP reported that Mr G Guthridge (United States) is now the convenor of the information network "INFONET". One of its tasks will be to develop a format for electronic reporting within COMNAP. It was suggested that Dr Clarkson should be included in this network to explore ways in which the SCAR annual information might be incorporated; Mr Sayers is the COMNAP contact point. Dr Rutford noted that the United States Annual Report to SCAR was posted on the World Wide Web and was in a format that could be used by other SCAR Members. He felt that a single report with cross-referencing would be a useful development.
3. Antarctic Master Directory (AMD)
Mr E Chiang, Chairman of the Steering Committee for the Antarctic Master Directory (SC-AMD), was invited to present the current status of the AMD to the Executive Committees. He reviewed the SC meeting held in Lima, Peru, during XXIII ATCM, and referred to the proposals in the document by Mr M Thorley. He said that the SC will have to consider if further financial support for the AMD will be forthcoming to the end of June 2000 and, if so, which tasks should be undertaken. The Steering Committee will meet in Goa on 22 September 1999 and Dr Davey will represent SCAR.
Following the meeting of the Steering Committee, the SCAR Executive Committee proposed that a questionnaire should be sent to SCAR National Committees and Chief Officers, and to COMNAP, to ascertain the requirements of the scientific community for an Antarctic data directory.
4. Facilitating International Science Projects
4.1 Forward International Science Plan and Priorities
Dr Rutford described the process of developing scientific programmes through SCAR. From this description, it was difficult to see how SCAR will know better than or earlier than national managers of forthcoming programmes, except in cases where SCAR is providing a forward look in major international programmes.
4.2 SCAR/COMNAP Consultation Mechanisms
It was suggested that SCAR and COMNAP should have a joint discussion forum on science plans to be held on Saturday morning at the end of the first week of XXVI SCAR. There should be two persons from each SCAR Working Group and/or Group of Specialists. Dr Rutford suggested that an exchange of agendas between SCAR and COMNAP groups would be useful step by informing both groups of the topics that will be discussed, and to enhance communication between them. The Executive Secretaries were asked to coordinate the necessary arrangements.
5. Lake Vostok
5.1 Cambridge Workshop
Dr Rutford gave a brief description of the workshop to be held in Cambridge,
United Kingdom, 26&endash;28 September 1999. A copy of the structure for the
workshop and the list of invitees was tabled. The anticipated output from
the workshop is a preliminary science plan for the investigation of sub-glacial
lakes
in the Antarctic.
5.2 Potential Future Workshops
Dr Rutford envisaged that there will undoubtedly be a workshop on drilling technology and another on the logistics of the project. There would most likely be at least one more scientific workshop.
6. SCAR/COMNAP Interaction
6.1 Overlap between COMNAP and SCAR Biennial Meeting
6.2 Joint SCAR/COMNAP Executive Meetings
This item and both the sub-items were subsumed in the discussions of agenda item 4.
7. Next Joint Executive Meeting
It was agreed that the Executive Secretaries should liaise concerning the schedule for a Joint Meeting at XXVI SCAR / COMNAP XII in Tokyo, Japan, during July 2000.
8. Close
The Executive Committees met jointly on 21 September 1999, 1600&endash;1800 and again on 23 September 1999, 0900&endash;1000.
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Appendix 2 List of Acronyms and Abbreviations AEON Antarctic Environmental Officers Network |
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Appendices 3 - 6 |
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SCAR Budget for 1998 |
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SCAR Statement of Income and Expenditure, year ending 31 December 1998 |
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SCAR Budget for 1999 |
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SCAR Budget for 2000 |
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