The CLIVAR/CliC/SCAR Southern Ocean Region Panel (SORP) organized a two-session telecon on Dec. 8 and 10, 2020, discussing the task plan in 2021.  

The co-chairs emphasized the importance of maintaining the connection with other communities. In addition to its three co-sponsors, SORP has established close connection with SOOS, YOPP-SH, ASPeCt and OOPC. Besides, the co-chairs hoped to build cooperation with the UN Decade of Ocean Science in the future.

Taking the opportunity of the Lighthouse activities (LHAs) proposed by WCRP, SORP plans to build some subgroups which are related to these LHAs meanwhile based on the expertise of the members.

Within its terms of reference, SORP makes some concrete tasks which are related to the LHAs. Some members, including those who will rotate off by the end of this year, are planning to write a paper on the Southern Ocean (SO) modeling initiative.

Other things, such as the SO observation, especially the joint observation by the Southern American countries, the Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) in the SO were also discussed during the telecon.

SORP will continue the discussion in the next telecon, which is planned in January, 2021.