Cooperative Scientific and Technical Project Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of Ecuador for Joint Oceanographic Research, Quito, 1983

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EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA Quito

March 17, 1983

His Excellency Dr. Rodrigo Valdez Baquero, Acting Minister of Foreign Relations Quito

No. 7

Excellency:

I have the honor to refer to conversations between the Naval Oceanographic Institute of Ecuador (INOCAR) and the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratories of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (AOML/NOAA) of the United States of America regarding the development of a joint project permitting the collection, from vessels of opportunity, of oceanographic and atmospheric data between Guayaquil and the Galapagos Islands.

At the request of my government, permit me to submit for Your Excellency's consideration a proposed ‘Cooperative Scientific and Technical Project for Joint Oceanographic Research,’ the text of which follows:

‘A. Introduction

The Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratories (AOML) of NOAA and the Naval Oceanographic Institute (INOCAR) share an interest in the variability of the oceanographic and meteorological conditions in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. INOCAR is a participant in the regional program, Estudio Regional del Fenomeno `El Nio' (ERFEN), and AOML is a participant in the NOAA Equatorial Pacific Ocean Climate Study (EPOCS) program. EPOCS is an investigation of the relationship of sea surface temperature anomalies observed in the equatorial Pacific Ocean to large scale climate variations, of which the `El Nio' phenomenon is one manifestation. This agreement provides for a cooperative project between AOML and INOCAR for the purpose of collection of oceanographic and atmospheric data between Guayaquil and the Galapagos Islands using vessels of opportunity. INOCAR presently has a program for collection of meteorological and sea surface data at intervals of approximately every four weeks. This cooperative project will provide for collection also of subsurface temperature data from these vessels. This project is subscribed within the framework of the General Agreement for Economic, Technical and Related Assistance signed by the Governments of Ecuador and the United States on April 17, 1962. B. Purpose and Structure of the Project

The purpose of the project is to obtain, simultaneously, oceanographic temperature and meteorological data appropriate to observation, understanding, and prediction of the `El Nio' and related oceanographic and atmospheric phenomena. INOCAR and AOML will cooperate in both acquisition and use of the data.

Operational details of the project will be mutually agreed to by INOCAR and AOML, subsequent to the signing of this document.

For its part, AOML will supply to INOCAR for use in the project expendable bathythermograph (XBT) launching and recording equipment, XBT probes and other expendable supplies, to be delivered at AOML expense to Guayaquil. AOML will also provide to INOCAR staff training and advisory assistance in use and maintenance of the equipment. In addition, AOML will provide training, including the use of computers, for three personnel designated by INOCAR in the areas of physical oceanography and data processing for scientific purposes, in accordance with the detailed description in Annex `A'. AOML agrees to assume the costs of training, transportation, meals and lodging for personnel associated with such training in the United States. The details, data, etc. for implementation of Annex `A' shall be agreed upon by the parties at the appropriate time.

INOCAR will carry out the measurements required for the project from vessels of opportunity at approximately monthly intervals.

INOCAR will also provide observers as needed to ensure reliable data collection. The costs of transportation and per diem for these observers will be assumed by INOCAR. After collection, XBT data may be copied for immediate use in Ecuador. All data collected shall be transmitted by INOCAR to AOML, within one month, through the Consulate of the United States in Guayaquil.

Part of the data for sea surface temperature and for the depth of the fifteen degree isotherm should be available for dissemination for the purpose of monitoring the development of the `Nio' in real time.

All of the data should be available for use in scientific reports and meetings by AOML and INOCAR staff at any time. Reports for publication shall be approved in accordance with the appropriate administrative procedures of each organization. Surface meteorological data and XBT data from one station per day to be selected by INOCAR should be reported by the IGOSS-BATHY/TESAC procedure.

INOCAR will provide such services and facilities, in Ecuador, as required to carry out the project, and will also provide means to admit equipment and materials into Ecuador for use in the project free of customs and import duties and taxes. These goods will have `temporary entry' status.

E. Mutual Responsibilities for the Project

Results from the project will be published annually in a report to be authored jointly by the scientific staffs of INOCAR and AOML. Scientists of both institutions will collaborate on analysis and interpretation of observations of special interest or importance in connection with `El Nino'. Collaboration on such interpretation and reports is probably the best available means of effecting training in scientific use of the data. All data collected shall be the property of INOCAR and AOML and should be available for submission to international data centers twelve (12) months after being collected.

F. Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanisms

For the purpose of having a suitable frame of reference reflecting the level of AOML/NOAA participation and support, before the beginning of each calendar year INOCAR shall present to the Secretariat of the Ecuadorean National Committee for Technical Cooperation an annual work plan for the project. This will include the goals for the period, the activities and timetable for the achievement of those goals and enumeration of the specializations of the involved AOML/NOAA and INOCAR technicians, as well as of the equipment and other material necessary for the proper implementation and development of the project. The first work plan should be presented to the Ecuadorean National Development Council (CONADE) within sixty (60) days of the start of the project. In addition, INOCAR should transmit to CONADE, at the end of each year, a report measuring the progress of the project against the annual work plans presented for the implementation of the programmed activities, for the purpose of recording results, problems identified and suggestions which might be appropriate to implement in order to meet the established goals.

G. Duration of the Project

Because the `El Nio' phenomenon is an interannual variation with maximum manifestations every several years, maximum value will be realized from the project only if it can be continued for several years. This agreement shall remain in effect for six years, subject to the terms set forth below. It may be renewed in accordance with the wishes of the parties. Because funds are allocated on an annual basis, the project will be continued from year to year as the required funds are acquired. Every two years the parties will meet for the purpose of evaluating the project and analyzing its results. This agreement may be modified by mutual consent at the bi-annual evaluating meetings and may be terminated at any time by either party with thirty days written notice. In the event the project is terminated, possession of all equipment will revert to the original owners unless other arrangements are mutually agreed upon.

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Annex `A' (Training) AOML agrees to furnish the following training to personnel participating in the project to obtain bathythermographic data on the Guayaquil-Galapagos route:

1. Data processing including the use of computers

Personnel: One oceanographer

Duration: Six months

Personnel: One oceanographer

Duration: Six months

Place: U.S.A. (AOML) 3. In the second or third year of the project AOML will assist an oceanographer to receive training for one year.’

If this proposal is acceptable to the Government of Ecuador, this note and Your Excellency's note in reply shall constitute an agreement between the Governments of Ecuador and the United States of America and shall enter into force as from this date.

I take this opportunity to renew to Your Excellency the assurances of my highest consideration.

Samuel F. Hart

Republic of Ecuador Ministry of Foreign Relations Quito

March 17, 1983

His Excellency Samuel Hart, Ambassador of the United States of America, Quito.

Mr. Ambassador:

I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of Your Excellency's note No. 7 of March 17, 1983, submitting for consideration by the Government of Ecuador the ‘Cooperative Scientific and Technical Project for Joint Oceanographic Research,’ to be conducted by the Naval Oceanographic Institute of Ecuador (INOCAR) and the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratories of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States of America (AOML). The text of the project reads as follows:

[For the English language text, see page 3019.]

I am pleased to inform Your Excellency that the Government of Ecuador accepts the proposal of the Government of the United States of America. Consequently, this note and Your Excellency's note No. 7 of March 17, 1983, shall constitute an agreement between the two Governments, entering into force on this date.

I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to Your Excellency the assurances of my highest consideration.

Rodrigo Valdez B. Acting Minister of Foreign Relations