In order to address the issue of sea-level change along the French coast, and also to contribute to the regional and world observation system, eight major fields of activity have been identified :
– Federate the existing tide gauge networks (RONIM, ROSAME, ...etc.) and oversee the integration of emerging networks (e.g., in French Polynesia, New Caledonia, etc.) into a single system, interoperable with the federation of geodetic GNSS networks (e.g., RGP, RENAG) carried out at the global scale via the service international IGS.
– Collect and archive the observations made by the different tide gauge stations (currently this activity is entrusted to the SHOM partner via REFMAR) and by the co-located GNSS stations (directly performed at SONEL in partnership with IGN); make the data available in a practical way using a single interoperable system.
– Verify the quality of the observations, and the performance of the instruments in the field; provide additional measurements that are needed for them to become useful, for example in geodesy (GPS, absolute gravimetry etc.) in the measurement and monitoring of the geodetic stability of the sites.
– In response to a specific demand made by the world programme GLOSS, elaborate specific products based on the observations, particularly the mean monthly and annual levels for the international service PSMSL, and the vertical movements of tide gauges in a global geocentric reference frame.
– Ensure that the service is run and developed in a manner that meets the needs of the users, while taking into account the technical constraints of the computing equipment and the needs of the data producers.
– Encourage and support research and development based on the observations; conduct our own analyses both on the metrology of sea-level and the scientific exploitation of the data.
– Undertake activities of data archaeology, considering the wealth of French stations and tide gauge records available in non digital form which are interesting to rescue in order to better understand the changes in sea level that occur today.
– Perform data analyses and publish the scientific results.
– Promote the exchange of information between producers and users; share the technical know-how, particularly in the current context of emerging territorial networks; participate in the meetings of the international programs to ensure a full integration of the French in these programs.
The coordination role for tide gauges is entrusted to SHOM (see Prime Minister instruction of 20 April 2010 (fr)->doc316]) in France, whereas that for geodetic stations is traditionally ensured by the IGN.