In
this project we have initiated the equipment pool with the purchase of
an autonomous SeaBird CTD system (SBE 19+) with associated biological
sensors (e.g. pH, oxygen).
Last year a survey of over 100 Latin
American environmental, scientific and university institutions was
carried out to gauge the level of interest in this pilot program and to
determine the best orientation for the training. A total of 38 responses
were received for which some level of interest was apparent. These
responses came from over 10 countries in the Caribbean and Latin
America.
Based on these results a pilot program was
conceived for the Summer 2003 period consisting of two 10-day extended
seminar/research cruise periods, to be carried out in early July and
late July/early August. Each 10-day "extended seminar" has built into it
a three-day active research cruise aboard the University of Miami
research vessel R/V Walton Smith. These cruises are part of a joint
biological/physical oceanographic research program in which the leader
of this program is also a co-PI.
|