Unique physical settings of the South China Sea (SCS) and its adjacent regions allow many sites to become upwelling favourable during different monsoon seasons. Despite numbers of well-established sites of upwelling region in SSC and its adjacent regions, i.e. Hainan Island and Vietnam coast, recent study discovered a few upwelling areas within SCS which never been studied before. Amongst them are the regions along the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia and area at the south of Java. There are many other sites which are believed to have similar upwelling dynamics, but they either have not been discovered or not well explored.

Upwelling systems holds a very important value that require special focus. However, the effects of climate change, monsoon variability, and ENSO on the upwelling system remain poorly understood while the effect of upwelling on harmful algal blooms has recently attracted many interests from researchers.

In view of the limited scientific knowledge on upwelling systems in the region and its importance to ocean productivity, the IOC Sub-Commission for the Western Pacific (WESTPAC) established a regional project, entitled “Upwelling Studies through Ocean Data Integration towards Sustaining Ocean Health and Productivity,” aiming to: explore new upwelling sites and increase the understanding on upwelling dynamics in the South China Sea (SCS) and adjacent seas, through comparative studies and data integration. Dr. Mohd Fadzil Akhir, from Malaysia was appointed as Principal Investigator for this project.

Initial effort was made through various discussions among a group of researchers. This workshop is developed, as a starting point, to attract interested researchers who are involved in upwelling studies in their countries and enhance collaborations by gathering important information related to upwelling from all countries bordering the South China Sea and its adjacent regions.