The programme was held jointly with a NANO Regional Workshop at the University of Baja California (Ensenada, Mexico) from 19 January to 6 February 2015. 28 participants from Mexico, Ecuador, Chile, Colombia, Brazil, Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Venezuela and Peru were provided with the academic background and the skill set required to implement and apply measurements of bio-optical variables of seawater to both remote sensing and to the study of biogeochemical variability of the coastal zone.

These goals were met through two specific objectives; 1) lectures, including theoretical aspects and fundamental/basic science; and 2) laboratory and field work that emphasized practical applications (e.g., HPLC analysis of pigments; light absorption properties of particles).