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The Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research
(JIMAR) is a NOAA Cooperative Institute at the University of Hawaii (UH)
at Manoa. JIMAR has facilitated collaborative research among NOAA Research,
NOAA Fisheries, and National Weather Service scientists, university scientists,
and university students since its inception in 1977.
JIMAR research includes six themes: (1) Tsunamis and Other Long-Period
Ocean Waves - Research the detection of tsunami's via coastal tide gages,
analysis of historic and prehistoric events, and modeling; (2) Equatorial
Oceanography - Observe and dynamically analyse the equatorial ocean
which includes performing fundamental studies of the dynamics of the El
Nino/Southern Oscillation (ENSO); (3) Climate - Observe, analyse
(e.g., use of the UH Sea Level Center (UHSLC)), model, and perform fundamental
dynamical studies and experimental predictions on the climate of the Pacific
Ocean and Indian Ocean/Austalasia ; (4) Fisheries Oceanography -
Research all aspects of the western Pacific pelagic fishery (i.e., an unique
program funding the promotion of international collaboration on the study
of migratory species, ecosystems, marine mammals, protected species, stock
assessment, regulatory impacts, and fishing strategies); (5) Tropical
Meteorology - Collaborate closely with the National Weather Service's
Honolulu Weather Forecast Office, which is located on the UH Manoa campus,
and NOAA's Hurricane Research Division to perform research on all aspects
of tropical weather and climate; and (6) Coastal Research - Perform research
on all aspects of the coastal zone which is experiencing an increase in
national interest due to the development of a Marine Sanctuary in the Northwest
Hawaiian Islands.
Annually, JIMAR scientists publish 130 scientific publications, of which
approximately 60% appear in peer-reviewed publications. JIMAR research includes
sea level research which is based largely on direct in situ measurements
at tide gauge stations and is performed at the UHSLC. The UHSLC works with
various international agencies to ensure that tide gauge data are collected
over a globally distributed network and that all data are readily available
to the research and operational oceanography communities, and that the data
are quality controlled in a user-friendly format. The UHSLC also seeks to
incorporate geodetic measurements of land motion at tide gauge sites in
support of absolute sea level. The UHSLC operates 38 tide gauge stations
in the global sea level network. Fisheries research has continued to expand
in concert with the development of the new Pacific Islands Region. The Pelagic
Fisheries Research Program (PFRP) presented a 10-year report to Congress
describing a decade of accomplishments in fisheries science. Development
of the graduate program in Tropical Fisheries and Aquaculture (a joint venture
of NMFS, PFRP, and the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology)
has continued.
JIMAR's research activities assist NOAA in three of its Mission Goals: 1)
Protect, restore, and manage the use of coastal and ocean resources through
an ecosystem approach to management; 2) Understand climate variability and
change to enhance society's ability to plan and respond; and 3) Serve society's
needs for weather and water information.
