Co-Growth Module 2 Webinar – Understanding Coastal Hazards Using Operational Oceanography

Webinar Overview

As part of the second edition of the Sustainable Coastal Growth and Resilience (Co-Growth) course, Module 2 explores how operational oceanography supports the understanding, monitoring, and management of coastal hazards.

The webinar brings together experts from Europe and Asia to discuss how ocean observations, forecasting systems, and numerical models contribute to coastal risk assessment and resilience planning. Through complementary perspectives, participants will gain insights into both operational forecasting services and advanced modelling approaches used to understand complex coastal and estuarine processes.

The session highlights the growing role of ocean intelligence, numerical modelling, and decision-support systems in addressing coastal challenges associated with climate change, extreme events, sediment dynamics, and coastal infrastructure management.

Speaker 1

Enrique Alvarez Fanjul

Mercator Ocean International

Title

Operational Oceanography: Managing Coastal Risks in a Changing Environment

Abstract

Operational oceanography provides real-time observations, forecasts, and decision-support services that are essential for managing coastal risks in a changing environment. This presentation explores how ocean monitoring, numerical modelling, and integrated forecasting systems support preparedness and resilience against storms, flooding, erosion, pollution events, and climate-driven impacts, enabling safer and more sustainable coastal management.

Biography

Enrique Alvarez Fanjul is an ocean forecasting expert and scientific coordinator specialising in operational oceanography, marine data systems, and coastal prediction services. Throughout his career, he has contributed to international collaborations advancing ocean monitoring, forecasting standards, and interoperability, helping strengthen scientific cooperation and innovation across European and global marine forecasting communities and initiatives.

Speaker 2

Prof. GE Jianzhong

East China Normal University

Title

Development and Engineering Application of Estuarine and Coastal Numerical Models

Abstract

Coastal and estuarine dynamics are governed by complex interactions among hydrodynamics, sediment transport, morphodynamic evolution, and engineering interventions. Understanding these processes is fundamental for navigation, flood protection, coastal infrastructure planning, and renewable energy development.

This presentation introduces a suite of numerical models developed using the unstructured-grid Finite-Volume Community Ocean Model (FVCOM), including applications related to wave-current-sediment interactions, coastal engineering structures, fluid mud dynamics, vegetation processes, HF-radar data assimilation, and coupled physical-biogeochemical systems.

The lecture will showcase how these modelling tools have been integrated into comprehensive forecasting and analysis systems for the East China Sea and the Changjiang Estuary, supporting studies on navigation channels, offshore infrastructure, sediment transport, and coastal management.

Biography

Prof. GE Jianzhong is a physical oceanographer at East China Normal University whose research focuses on estuarine and coastal circulation, wave-current interactions, and sediment transport processes. His work combines high-resolution numerical modelling and in situ observations to better understand morphodynamic evolution and support sustainable coastal engineering and management strategies.

This webinar is part of Module 2 – Understanding Coastal Hazards Using Operational Oceanography within the Co-Growth programme, jointly organised by the Decade Collaborative Centre for Coastal Resilience (DCC-CR), OceanTeacher Global Academy (OTGA), SIOMNR, NMDIS, IOC WESTPAC, CMCC, CINECA, and partner institutions.