Cape Verdean Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere

Cape Verdean Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere
Name	Cape Verdean Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere
Native name	Instituto do Mar e da Atmosfera
Formation	1985
Headquarters	Praia, Santiago
Region served	Cape Verde
Language	Portuguese
Leader title	Director

Cape Verdean Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere is the national meteorological and oceanographic agency of Cape Verde based in Praia. It provides weather forecasting and oceanography services to sectors including fisheries, aviation, maritime navigation, and disaster risk reduction. The institute participates in regional networks such as the Economic Community of West African States and collaborates with international bodies like the World Meteorological Organization.

History

The institute was created in the late 20th century amid post-independence state-building linked to Independence of Cape Verde (1975) and national development plans influenced by United Nations Development Programme assistance. Early capacity building involved technical cooperation with the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere, the French National Centre for Scientific Research, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Over time the institute expanded after climate-related events such as the 1995 Cape Verde drought and the regional focus on Atlantic hurricane monitoring following cooperation with the National Hurricane Center.

Mandate and Functions

The institute’s statutory remit covers meteorological forecasting for Praia International Airport, oceanographic observations around the Cape Verde archipelago, and support for maritime safety under frameworks like the International Maritime Organization conventions. It issues marine warnings relevant to the Gulf of Guinea shipping lanes, provides seasonal climate outlooks for agriculture stakeholders linked to the Food and Agriculture Organization, and contributes to disaster risk management strategies coordinated with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction.

Organizational Structure

A directorate oversees divisions for Meteorology, Oceanography, Hydrology, and Technical Services, with advisory links to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (Cape Verde) and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport (Cape Verde). Institutional governance includes a board with representatives from national actors such as the Instituto Nacional de Estatística (Cape Verde), the Universidade de Cabo Verde, and sectoral stakeholders like the Associação dos Armadores de Cabo Verde.

Research and Monitoring Programs

Programs include an ocean-observing network that uses buoys and tide gauges around islands like São Vicente and Boa Vista, collaborative marine research with the University of Lisbon, and climate monitoring tied to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assessments. Monitoring covers sea surface temperature relevant to Sargassum influx studies, wave and swell forecasting for ports including Mindelo Harbour, and atmospheric aerosol tracking connected to transatlantic dust transport from Sahara Desert events.

Services and Public Outreach

The institute issues daily forecasts for municipalities such as Santa Catarina and Sal Rei, issues advisories for the fishing community near Santo Antão, and provides data services to airlines operating to Amílcar Cabral International Airport. Outreach includes school programs in partnership with the Ministry of Education (Cape Verde), public seminars in collaboration with the Embassy of Portugal in Cape Verde, and media briefings during events like tropical cyclones or extreme heat episodes, coordinating with broadcasters such as Radiotelevisão Caboverdiana.

International Cooperation and Partnerships

International partnerships include projects with the European Union, technical assistance from the German Agency for International Cooperation, and regional integration with the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel. The institute contributes data to global systems operated by the World Weather Watch and engages in capacity building through exchanges with institutions like the Met Office and the Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos.

Funding and Infrastructure

Funding sources combine national budget appropriations approved by the Assembleia Nacional de Cabo Verde, project grants from entities such as the Global Environment Facility, and service contracts with regional maritime operators including companies registered under Porto de Praia. Core infrastructure includes offices in Praia, observational platforms near Ilha do Sal, meteorological radars, and partnerships for satellite data access from providers like European Space Agency.

Category:Scientific organizations based in Cape Verde