Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System: The Gulf Component of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System

The United States is developing an Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) as the U.S. component of the international Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). IOOS consists of: (1) a coastal observing system for the U.S. EEZ, estuaries, and Great Lakes; and (2) a contribution to the global component of GOOS focused on climate and maritime services. The coastal component will consist of: (1) a National Backbone of observations and products from our coastal ocean supported by federal agencies; and (2) contributions of Regional Coastal Ocean Observing Systems (RCOOS). The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS) is one of eleven RCOOS. This paper describes how GCOOS is progressing as a system of systems to carry out data collection, analysis, product generation, dissemination of information, and data archival. These elements are provided by federal, state, and local government agencies, academic institutions, non-government organization, and the private sector. This end-to-end system supports the seven societal goals of the IOOS, as provided by the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy: detect and forecast oceanic components of climate variability, facilitate safe and efficient marine operations, ensure national security, manage marine resources, preserve and restore healthy marine ecosystems, mitigate natural hazards, and ensure public health. The initial building blocks for GCOOS include continuing in situ observations, satellite products, models, and other information supported by federal and state government, private industry, and academia. GCOOS has compiled an inventory of such activities, together with descriptions, costs, sources of support, and possible out-year budgets. These activities provide information that will have broader use as they are integrated and enhanced. GCOOS has begun that process by several approaches. First, GCOOS has established a web site (www.gcoos.org) which is a portal to such activities and contains pertinent information regarding GCOOS. Second, GCOOS began two years ago sharing data and information. As a prime example, most real-time physical data now collected in the region are transferred to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Data Buoy Center (NDBC), where they are quality controlled and further distributed nationally and internationally so that they may be used by anyone preparing analyses or forecasts. As the system expands, non-physical data collected in real-time will be added to this system. Many organizations have installed OPeNDAP data servers to facilitate ease of access and standard transfer of data as provided by the initial IOOS guidance. In addition to a description of extant observing system elements that compromise GCOOS, this paper will describe the process for each RCOOS to become a certified Regional Association. This certification process is stakeholder driven, provides an approved Governance Plan and an approved Business Plan (i.e., organization structure, five year spending plan, standards protocols, and technology transfer). Plans to move GCOOS toward certification will be given. A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) to develop GCOOS and to begin that development by sharing of non-commercial, non-proprietary data and products has been approved at a Stakeholders meeting in New Orleans, Louisiana, during January 2005. Qualified organizations and individuals are encouraged to become Parties to the Regional Association by signing the MoA.