Vanuatu - Telemac

Model description:
This model was originally developed as part of the Commonwealth Marine Economies Programme (CMEP). Small island states are dependent on their surrounding oceans for many reasons. For example, for food sources, transportation, recreation, and tourism. At the same time, they are sensitive to changes, e.g. in sea level rise, fish stocks, or water quality. Water quality issues have become increasingly important in the South Pacific, as populations, tourism and infrastructure grow and expand within coastal communities.

This model was designed to assess potential spread of pollutants through the ocean around Port Vila, Vanuatu. Ocean circulation models have been used to investigate the vulnerability of the region, and test potential control measures. The Telemac3D modelling system used here allows for varying grid resolution within the model domain. In the deeper ocean, larger scale patterns of circulation can be resolved with a grid spacing of ~ 1 km. However, around the coastline of Vila Bay, spacing of < 100 m allows circulation to be resolved around specific regions of interest.

Note that similar methods were also used for Honiara, Solomon Islands.