The Terms of Reference of the Group are:

(i) to encourage an inter-disciplinary approach to Southern Ocean observations, modelling and research, recognising the interdependence of  physical, chemical and biological processes in the ocean.

 (ii) to coordinate the development of a Southern Ocean Observing System (SOOS) that puts into practice the Group's inter-disciplinary approach. Initially, this will involve working with the Southern Ocean community to produce a SOOS science plan that:

- demonstrates why sustained observations are needed in the Southern Ocean and what science/policy questions they address,

- suggests what mix of observations are required to address these questions,

- summarises what is presently being done and is possible,

- provides a framework for implementation of a SOOS, and

- provides a vision for areas of important future research that will benefit from a SOOS

 (iii) to encourage the exchange of information with operational agencies and other partners, particularly with regards the development of a SOOS.

The activities of the Group are complementary to, and do not duplicate, the activities of other groups currently active in Southern Ocean research, such as the Southern Ocean Global Ocean Ecosystems Dynamics project (GLOBEC), the Climate Variability and Predictability/Climate and Cyosphere/SCAR Southern Ocean Implementation Panel, the international Antarctic Zone (iAnZone) project (which is affiliated with SCAR and SCOR), GEOTRACES, the Integrated Marine Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Research (IMBER) project, and the Surface Ocean-Lower Atmosphere Study (SOLAS).