THEME FOR WORLD HYDROGRAPHY DAY 2016 - “Hydrography – the key to well-managed seas and waterways”

IHB File No. S1/1900/A CIRCULAR LETTER 81/2015 26 November 2015 THEME FOR WORLD HYDROGRAPHY DAY 2016 - “Hydrography – the key to well-managed seas and waterways” Reference: IHO CL 71/2015 dated 22 September - World Hydrography Day –Proposed theme for 2016 Dear Hydrographer, 1. In the reference, the Directing Committee proposed “Hydrography – the key to well-managed seas” as the theme for the celebration of World Hydrography Day in 2016 (WHD-2016). The IHB thanks the following Member States for their positive and supportive responses: Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, Finland, France, Nigeria, Portugal, Russian Federation, Spain, Ukraine and the UK. 2. Some Member States proposed minor adjustments to the wording of the WHD theme as indicated in the Annex to this letter. 3. The Directing Committee has carefully considered the additional comments from the Member States and has adjusted the theme for World Hydrography Day 2016 to read: “Hydrography – the key to well-managed seas and waterways” 4. In support of WHD-2016 the Directing Committee will organize:  A dedicated page on the IHO web site, where papers and other material relevant to the celebration and reflecting the variety of activities supported by hydrography will be posted and which Member States and other IHO stakeholders may use as appropriate.  Various activities with schools in the Monaco area in order to raise awareness about hydrography, the scope and significance of WHD and the theme of the celebration. 5. The Directing Committee foresees that the celebration of WHD-2016 in Monaco will be coordinated with the “Future of the Oceans” event being prepared by the GEBCO Guiding Committee. Further information on this event, which is scheduled during the week starting 13 June 2016, will be provided in due course. 6. Meanwhile, Member States are invited to forward to the IHB any material that is created in support of national WHD-2016 celebrations for posting on the IHO website. This will enable the widest possible dissemination of publicity and support material for the event. 7. The Directing Committee also welcomes any comments and suggestions to improve the organization and support of this annual event. On behalf of the Directing Committee Yours sincerely, Robert WARD President Annex: Summary of Comments from Member States  Annex to IHO Circular Letter 81/2015 SUMMARY OF COMMENTS FROM MEMBER STATES Brazil and Canada suggest expanding the scope of the theme to include “waterways”, to read: “Hydrography – the key to well-managed seas and waterways”; Chile proposes to include the word “essential”, to read: “Hydrography – the essential key to well- managed seas”; The UK suggests that the WHD theme for 2016 could be more clearly defined to read: “Hydrography – A key enabler for well-managed seas”; Finland, whilst approving the proposed WHD theme, questions whether the terminology used is the clearest possible. ____