The Working Group on Oceanic Hydrography (WGOH) closely monitors the ocean conditions in the ICES area by updating and reviewing results from standard hydrographic sections and stations.

The primary work product of the WG is its annual ICES Report on Ocean Climate (IROC), which provides expert analysis of time-series observations of ocean hydrography collected at long-standing stations throughout the North Atlantic. The report is a unique compendium of long-term hydrographic observations and analyses contributed by an international body of experts that can be found through no other source. The Ocean and Atmosphere Highlights from the IROC represent our summary of the most noteworthy oceanographic and atmospheric condi-tions observed in the latest year and are used in the Advisory process.

Outputs from this working group also feed into assessments for the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) and regional and national assessments of climate variability. It is recog-nized that the utility of the IROC rests on its timely delivery and steps have been taken in the past 3 years to streamline the production of the report and increase accessibility.

The WGOH is continually evaluating how it might better identify and respond to stakeholder needs and has focused on distinguishing itself in the expanding world of global ocean observing systems.