Coastal Ocean Observing System?€¦ · A Coastal Ocean Observing System is a combination of instruments on buoys, satellites, ships, drifters and underwater vehicles that are used

For more information on GCOOS or to become a member, please contact Regional Coordinator Dr. Ann Jochens:

[email protected]

Conservation and Sustainability

Map of in situ observing stations in the Gulf of Mexico, operated and funded by a variety of entities. To realize the maximum benefit, the whole must operate as one‐planned, coordinated and managed as a system.

Benefits to Floridians

Destruction of a Pensacola home caused by HurricaneIvan. Photo credit: Chris Simoniello

Emergency Preparedness & Response

Commercial and recreational fishing in the state of Florida generate nearly $13 Billion in sales and create more than 234,000 jobs. Photo credit: Chris Simoniello

Growing energy demands are pushing exploration efforts further offshore, increasing the need for regional‐scale baseline environmental data. These data are also needed for effective marine spatial planning and the development of ecosystem models to manage fisheries and aquaculture.

GCOOS has demonstrated the value of ocean observing systems to Floridians: • Red tide forecasts aid the tourism industry• Storm surge and intensity data are used by the

National Weather Service • Real‐time oceanographic and model data were

critical to the NOAA Office of Response and Restoration during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Improved Gulf forecasts and predictions of extreme coastal storms and long‐term water level changes require increased ocean observations to drive the forecast models. GCOOS contributes to minimizing the risk of damage and losses of lives and property by: • Providing timely hazard and disaster

information• Providing understanding of the natural

rocesses that produce hazards• Promoting risk‐wise behavior.

What is a Coastal Ocean Observing System?

A Coastal Ocean Observing System is a combination of instruments on buoys, satellites, ships, drifters and underwater vehicles that are used to make observations of the ocean. Computer models are developed as part of the system to understand and make ocean forecasts.

The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS) is one of eleven networks being developed as part of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System to serve a broad range of societal needs.

The OSC Mistral sails towards the Gulf of Mexico after unloading cargo at the Port of Tampa. Photo credit: Chris simoniello.

Ports and Homeland Security

The infrastructure and information from coastal ocean observing systems aid the development of alternative energy sources (e.g. offshore wind farms and energy derived from ocean currents, tides and waves) by helping to identify sites that maximize return on the investment and by promoting efficiency and safety during operations.

Innovative energy technology like SRI International’s prototype wave‐powered generator, demonstrates the potential of the system to provide platforms that accommodate

buoy‐mounted, energy‐generating equipment.

Florida Gulf Coast ports contribute significantly to the nation’s economy. With the deepening of the Panama Canal and the expected increase in worldwide waterborne trade, there is a growing need to ensure Florida ports can be responsive to expansion opportunities and minimize terrorist threats.

Ocean conditions are sent in real‐time to harbor pilots navigating to and from the Port of Tampa. The Tampa Bay Physical Oceanographic Real Time System (PORTS) has been a model for the nation, credited with more than a 65% reduction in groundings since its inception. Photo credit: Chris Simoniello

• Information from coastal ocean observing systems provide routine real‐time observations and predictions necessary for safe and efficient ship movements in and out of ports.

• Radars, once used only as collision‐avoidance technology, now support Maritime Domain Awareness via the Automated Identification System (AIS) that monitors vessel traffic.

• Developing biological and chemical sensors provide the capability to detect airborne and waterborne contaminants in ports, harbors, and littoral regions.

GCOOS is Good For Florida

With more than 100 signatories to the GCOOS Memorandum of Understanding, Florida leaders representing industry, academia, education, small business, the general public, and state and federal agencies agree that a fully developed GCOOS is smart for Florida, benefitting lives, ecosystem health, workforce development, and the economy.

Alternative Energy

SRI International’s wave‐powered generator offers clean energy production from ocean waves. Photo courtesy of SRI.


[email protected] www.gcoos.org

Oil and Gas Production

Map of in situ observing stations in the Gulf of Mexico, operated and funded by a variety of entities. To realize the maximum benefit, the whole must operate as one-planned, coordinated and managed as a system.

Benefits to Louisianans

Fallen water tower in Buras, LA, where Hurricane Katrina landfall occurred in August 2005. Photo credit: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.


The Eagle Centaurus unloads its crude-oil cargo at one of three Louisiana Offshore Oil Port buoys, located 18 miles offshore in 110 feet of water. Photo credit: AP File.

With an annual value of $70 billion and supporting 13% of all jobs, Louisiana oil-and-gas operations are a giant economic engine. As operations expand offshore, the synthesis of regional-scale baseline environmental data and real-time ocean observations will be critical to inform planning and to continue supporting operations. Information from the GCOOS Data Portal was instrumental in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, providing real-time oceanographic and numerical model data to guide NOAA Office of Response and Restoration efforts.

Improved Gulf forecasts and predictions of extreme coastal storms and long-term water level changes require increased ocean observations to drive the forecast models. GCOOS contributes to minimizing the risk of damage and losses of lives and property by: • Providing timely hazard and disaster information • Providing understanding of the natural processes that produce hazards • Promoting risk-wise behavior

What is a Coastal Ocean Observing System? A Coastal Ocean Observing System is a combination of instruments on buoys, satellites, ships, drifters and underwater vehicles that are used to make observations of the ocean. Computer models are developed as part of the system to understand and make ocean forecasts. The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS) is one of eleven networks being developed as part of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System to serve a broad range of societal needs.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a2/Hurricane-Katrina-Buras-Louisiana-watertower-EPA.jpg

Commercial and recreational fishing in the state of Louisiana generate nearly four billion dollars in sales and create more than 35,000 jobs. Photo credit: Robert K. Brigham

The Port of South Louisiana and Port of New Orleans are two of the top five in the world for total trade. Photo credit: Don Young.


A healthy Gulf is critical to the culture and heritage of Louisiana’s multi-generational fishermen, and to the state’s valuable tourism industry. To sustain these activities, increased regional-scale environmental data are needed. GCOOS has demonstrated the value of ocean observing systems to Louisianans: • Ecosystem models guide management of

Louisiana’s $4 billion fishing industry. • Red tide forecasts aid the $9.3 billion tourism

industry • Storm surge and intensity data are used by the National Weather Service • Effective marine spatial planning requires

synoptic ocean information

Louisiana is home to the largest tonnage port in the Western Hemisphere, and has two that are in the top five ports in the world for total trade. These contribute significantly to the economy of the nation. With the deepening of the Panama Canal and the expected increase in worldwide waterborne trade, there is a growing need to ensure Louisiana ports can be responsive to expansion opportunities and minimize terrorist threats.

The FlowCytobot combines video and flow cytometric technology to capture high resolution images of plankton. Rapidly measuring small differences in individual cells, species of plankton, including very small microbes, can be quickly and accurately identified. Image courtesy of Dr. Lisa Campbell.

• Information from coastal ocean observing systems provide routine real-time observations and predictions necessary for safe and efficient ship movements in and out of ports.

• Radars, once used only as collision-avoidance

technology, now support Maritime Domain Awareness via the Automated Identification System (AIS) that monitors vessel traffic.

• Developing biological and chemical sensors provide

the capability to detect airborne and waterborne contaminants in ports, harbors, and littoral regions.

GCOOS is Good For Louisiana With more than 100 signatories to the GCOOS Memorandum of Understanding, Louisiana leaders representing industry, academia, education, small business, the general public, and state and federal agencies agree that a fully developed GCOOS is smart for Louisiana, benefitting lives, ecosystem health, workforce development, and the economy.




Oil and Gas Production

Map of in situ observing stations in the Gulf of Mexico. There are many operational elements, operated by separate entities and funded by a variety of sources. To realize the maximum benefit, the whole must operate as one-planned, coordinated and managed as a system.

Benefits to Mississippians

New technologies are being used to create flood maps that are easily understood by citizens. Image courtesy of Joe Swaykos, University of Southern Mississippi Center of Higher Learning.


The Eagle Centaurus unloads its crude-oil cargo at an offshore oil port buoy located 18 miles offshore in 110 feet of water. Photo credit: AP File.

As petroleum exploration extends further offshore, the synthesis of regional-scale baseline environmental data and real-time ocean observations will be critical to inform planning, and to continue supporting production operations and mitigation strategies. Information from the GCOOS Data Portal was instrumental in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, providing real-time oceanographic and numerical model data to guide NOAA Office of Response and Restoration efforts.


What is a Coastal Ocean Observing System? A Coastal Ocean Observing System is a combination of instruments on buoys, satellites, ships, drifters and underwater vehicles that are used to make observations of the ocean. Computer models are developed as part of the system to understand and make ocean forecasts. The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS) is one of eleven networks being developed as part of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System to serve a broad range of societal needs.

Mississippi Gulf Coast tourism is a $1.63 billion industry and accounts for one-third of the state's tourism revenue. Photo credit: Capt. Sonny Schindler

Hundreds watch as the USS Cole (DDG 67) is returned to the fleet following a 14-month repair effort in Pascagoula. Photo credit: David Nagle.


To enhance Mississippi’s economically important fishing and tourism industries in a sustainable manner, increased oceanographic and regional-scale environmental data are needed. GCOOS has demonstrated the value of ocean observing systems to Mississippians: • Ecosystem models guide management of

Mississippi’s $186 million fishing industry which supports more than 3,000 jobs.

• The fishing port in Pascagoula-Moss Point, among the most productive in the Gulf by poundage, benefits from real-time oceanographic information.

• Red tide forecasts aid the state’s $1.63 billion Gulf Coast tourism industry.

Ports and homeland security are intricately linked. With Northrop Grumman Ship Systems Ingalls Operation, the Port of Pascagoula and Mississippi’s other Gulf Coast ports are critical to U.S. seapower. With the deepening of the Panama Canal and the expected increase in worldwide waterborne trade, there is a growing need to ensure Mississippi ports can be responsive to expansion opportunities and minimize terrorist threats.

The FlowCytobot combines video and flow cytometric technology to capture high resolution images of plankton. Rapidly measuring small differences in individual cells, species of plankton, including very small microbes, can be quickly and accurately identified. Image courtesy of Dr. Lisa Campbell.






GCOOS is Good For Mississippi

With more than 100 signatories to the GCOOS Memorandum of Understanding, Mississippi leaders representing industry, academia, education, small business, the general public, and state and federal agencies agree that a fully developed GCOOS is smart for Mississippi, benefitting lives, ecosystem health, workforce development, and the economy.




Offshore Oil and Gas Production

The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS) is one of eleven networks being developed as part of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System to serve a broad range of societal needs.

Map of in situ observing stations in the Gulf of Mexico. There are many operational elements, operated by separate entities and funded by a variety of sources. To realize the maximum benefit, the whole must operate as one-planned, coordinated and managed as a system.

What is a Coastal Ocean Observing System? A Coastal Ocean Observing System is a combination of instruments on buoys, satellites, ships, drifters and underwater vehicles that are used to make observations of the ocean. Computer models are developed as part of the system to understand and make ocean forecasts.

Benefits to Texans

Flooding over access road 523 to Surfside Beach, TX caused by Hurricane Ike. Photo credit: Carlos Barria.


Reaching drilling depths of 37,500 ft, Transocean’s Development Driller III is extending the reaches of offshore exploration..Photo credit: Gerald Herbert.

Accurate regional forecasts support efficient energy generation and safe coastal and offshore operations. The synthesis of regional-scale baseline environmental data and real-time ocean observations will be used to inform offshore energy planning. Information from the GCOOS Data Portal was instrumental in the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, providing real-time oceanographic and numerical model data to guide NOAA Office of Response and Restoration efforts.


Independent Natural Resources Inc.’s SEADOG Pump captures energy from ocean waves to produce inexpensive, renewable electricity. Located off the coast of Freeport, TX, it is the first wave-powered demonstration facility. Image courtesy of NRI.

The Port of Houston, one of 13 deep water Texas ports, is number one In the U.S. in foreign tonnage and imports. Photo credit: Chris Simoniello


Texas may be known for its oil and gas production, but innovative alternative energy products are becoming increasingly important. Many, like offshore wind farms and Independent Natural Resources Inc.’s wave-powered demonstration facility, require data such as those provided by GCOOS to identify sites that maximize return on the investment and to promote efficiency and safety during operations.

Texas has more than 970 wharves, piers and docks handling waterborne freight, with a half billion tons of commodities moved annually. With the deepening of the Panama Canal and the expected increase in worldwide waterborne trade, over 766 million tons are expected to be moving on Texas waterways by 2030.

The FlowCytobot is an instrument that combines video and flow cytometric technology to capture high resolution images of plankton and associated chlorophyll fluorescence. It is currently deployed in Port Aransas, TX in support of the Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve program, Image courtesy of Dr. Lisa Campbell, Texas A&M University.






GCOOS is Good For Texas

With more than 100 signatories to the GCOOS Memorandum of Understanding, Texas leaders representing industry, academia, education, small business, the general public, and state and federal agencies agree that a fully developed GCOOS is smart for Texas, benefitting lives, ecosystem health, workforce development, and the economy.

Alternative Energy

http://www.50states.com/texas.htm

The Gross Domestic Product of the U.S. states

bordering the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) is $2.2

Trillion, making the health of the GOM vital

to the economic well-being of the nation.

With unprecedented challenges and oppor-

tunities, such as loss of

tourism revenue when

beaches close from harm-

ful algal blooms; stressed

commercial fisheries from

record-setting hypoxia

(“Dead Zone”) events;

increasing tonnage offloaded in our ports;

and expanding deep-sea oil and gas explora-

tion, the need for a sustained, integrated sys-

tem of oceanographic and meteorological

information has never been greater. A fully

developed observing system will allow us to

understand how and why changes are oc-

curring, and enable informed decisions to be

made based on reliable forecasts.

Brown pelicans require good wa-

ter quality to thrive

Sustained , Integrated ocean

information for

those who live ,

work, and play in the gulf of mexico

Phone: 979-845-3900

Fax: 979-847-8879

E-mail: [email protected]

http://gcoos.org

U n d e rs t a nd i ng o u r o c e a n a n d e s t ua ri es

Please contact Dr. Ann Jochens, Executive

Director, GCOOS Regional Association

GULF OF MEXICO COASTAL

OCEAN OBSERVING SYSTEM

FOR MORE INFORMATION

“Very cool! All the ocean and weather information I need in one place...I won’t consider a fishing trip with-out checking here first” (http://gcoos.tamu.edu/products/maps/boaters/). Neil Burke, Recreational Fisherman Images courtesy of Chris Simoniello

The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing

System Regional Association (GCOOS-RA), a

Regional Association of the U.S. Integrated

Ocean Observing System, consists of an end-to

-end system of observations; data manage-

ment; and products and services designed to

meet the following national needs

Predict & mitigate against coastal hazards

Ensure public health

Facilitate safe & efficient marine operations

Manage resources for sustainable use

Detect & forecast oceanic components of

climate change

Preserve & restore healthy marine ecosys-

tems

In situ and remotely sensed data are also used to improve the accuracy of computer models that are developed as part of the system to understand and make ocean forecasts.

One observ ing system , many appl icat ions

W h a t o u r m e m b e r s a r e s a y i n g . . . .

GULF OF MEXICO COASTAL OCEAN OBSERVING SYSTEM

Phone: 979-845-3900

Fax: 979-847-8879

E-mail: [email protected]

“GCOOS is vitally important to Fugro GEOS, providing the opportunity to develop and implement new offshore opera onal ocean observing tech-niques in a unique partnership. To

safely and efficiently undertake Fugro’s numerous offshore opera ons requires accurate, mely and accessible environmental informa on.” Jan Van Smirren, President, Fugro GEOS Inc.

“The Gulf of Mexico is a unique and valuable treasure to the na on. The observa onal data and subsequent interpreta ons, products, and services provided by GCOOS are cri cal to

strengthening the management and sustainability of our resources, ensuring public health, and fore-cas ng ocean-related events such as climate change. GCOOS benefits us by ensuring ecosystem health, promo ng workforce development, and assis ng in providing alterna ve energy sources.” Dr. Bill Walk-er, Execu ve Director, Mississippi Department of Marine Resources

“The Gulf of Mexico, arguably the most important region of any surrounding the United States from an economic, tourism, ecosystem and shipping standpoint, is also one of the most vulnerable to natu-ral and human-caused catastrophic events. The importance of a sustained,

integrated observing system that can address hurri-canes, oils spills and other high priority issues cannot be overstated.” Ray Toll, Science Applica ons Inter-na onal Corpora on (SAIC), Vice President for Indus-try and Technology, Marine Technology Society

“A sustained, integrated observing system in the Gulf Of Mexico will give forecasters the best chance for improving forecast accuracies for significant life threatening events such as storm surge generated by a coastal storm or

an approaching hurricane.” Captain Joe Swaykos, USN Re red, Data Management and Communica ons Branch Chief, NOAA Na onal Data Buoy Center

“GCOOS, as a network of observatories, is poised to serve as the backbone of ocean ob-serving so vitally important to the under-standing of the Gulf of Mexico—its ecosys-tems, baseline informa on to understand

perturba ons and long-term change, and provision of necessary informa on for mariners, fishers, coastal communi es, and the na onal economy and security.” Nancy Rabalais, Execu ve Director and Professor, Loui-siana Universi es Marine Consor um

“The ocean and atmosphere affect almost all the ac vi es of the offshore oil industry from our daily opera ons to the design of our mul -billion dollar infrastructure. Hence persistent and spa ally detailed ocean and

atmospheric measurements enable us to do our busi-ness efficiently and safely.“ Cor s Cooper, Chevron En-ergy Technology Corpora on

Education and Outreach activi-ties are an im-portant part of the system.

What is a Coastal Ocean Observing System? A coastal ocean observing system is a combination of instruments on buoys, satellites, ships, drifters and underwater vehicles that are used to make observations of the ocean. Computer models are developed as part of the system to understand and make ocean forecasts. The Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) is a federal, regional, and private-sector partnership working to enhance our ability to collect, deliver, and use ocean information. IOOS delivers the data and information needed to increase understanding of our oceans and coasts, so decision makers can take action to improve safety, enhance the economy, and protect the environment. Eleven Regional Associations comprise the IOOS) Florida, with its coast spanning from the southeast U.S. to the Gulf of Mexico, belongs to two of these. The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System Regional Association (GCOOS-RA) and the Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA) coordinate projects and leverage resources to serve a broad range of societal needs.

Benefits to Floridians Emergency Preparedness & Response Improved ocean forecasts and predictions of extreme coastal storms and long-term water level changes require increased ocean observations to drive the forecast models. SECOORA and the GCOOS-RA contribute to minimizing the risk of damage and losses of lives and property by: • Providing timely hazard and disaster

information. • Providing understanding of the natural

processes that produce hazards. • Minimizing personal risk with better data.

Information for Floridians Who Live, Work, and Play on the Coasts and Oceans

Coastal and Ocean Observing Supports Floridians

Conservation and Sustainability Growing energy demands are pushing exploration efforts further offshore, increasing the need for regional-scale baseline environmental data. These data are also needed for effective marine spatial planning and the development of ecosystem models to manage fisheries and aquaculture. To enhance the state’s economically important fishing and tourism industries in a sustainable manner, increased oceanographic and regional-scale environmental data are needed. SECOORA and the GCOOS-RA have demonstrated the value of ocean observing systems to Floridians: • Storm surge and intensity data are used by the

National Weather Service and National Hurricane Center

• Red tide forecasts aid the state’s $60 billion tourism industry.

• Real-time oceanographic and model data were critical to the NOAA Office of Response and Restoration during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

• Ecosystem models are being developed to guide management of Florida’s $11 billion fishing industry which supports more than 150,000 jobs.

Florida’s oceans and coasts annually provide over $562 billion in cash flow and hundreds of thousands of jobs. Their protection is of critical importance to the state.

“Diverse cruise options and international trade make Port Everglades an economic powerhouse for Broward County and one of the most diverse seaports in the U.S. The Port's total financial impact amounts to approximately $18 billion in business activity, 185,000 jobs statewide, and $623.5 million in state and local tax revenue.” (http://www.floridaports.org)

More Benefits to Floridians Ports and Homeland Security Florida ports contribute significantly to the nation’s economy. With the deepening of the Panama Canal and the expected increase in worldwide waterborne trade, there is a growing need to ensure Florida ports can be responsive to expansion opportunities and minimize terrorist threats. • Information from coastal ocean observing

systems provide routine real-time observations and predictions necessary for safe and efficient ship movements in and out of ports.

• Radars, once used only as collision-avoidance technology, now support Maritime Domain Awareness via the Automated Identification System (AIS) that monitors vessel traffic.

Alternative Energy The infrastructure and information from coastal ocean observing systems aid the development of alternative energy sources (e.g. offshore wind farms and energy derived from ocean currents, tides and waves) by helping to identify sites that maximize return on the investment and by promoting efficiency and safety during operations. Supporting Florida’s Tourism Forecasts of weather and ocean conditions are important deciding factors for citizens and visitors planning their recreational activities. Information from observing system data providers enables Floridians and visitors to make informed decisions. For example, the University of South Florida’s Fred Howard Park meteorological and tidal station in Tarpon Springs provides water level, tide and wind conditions and is frequently used by kite surfers and kayakers. Mote Marine Lab’s Beach Conditions Report provides twice-daily updates on red tide, oil and other water quality parameters along 33 of Florida’s west coast beaches (see www.mote.org/beaches).

GCOOS-RA and SECOORA: Working Towards Coordinated Coastal and Ocean Observing The GCOOS-RA and SECOORA have overlapping geographies on the west coast of Florida and share planning and coordination responsibilities. The RAs work together on numerous efforts, including coordination of data management systems to make information seamless and easily accessible, and development of comprehensive monitoring plans such as for High Frequency Radar and Harmful Algae Bloom monitoring. To reach the full potential of the system and maximize efficiencies, the RAs also coordinate workshops with common stakeholders.

For More Information SECOORA: Debra Hernandez, Executive Director, [email protected]. Visit the Web site at www.secoora.org GCOOS-RA: Dr. Chris Simoniello, Education and Outreach Specialist, [email protected] Visit the Web site at www.gcoos.org

SECOORA and GCOOS have overlapping geographies on the West Florida Shelf and coordinate activities in this area.

SECOORA

GCOOS

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

Documents

Coastal Ocean Observing System?€¦ · A Coastal Ocean Observing System is a combination of instruments on buoys, satellites, ships, drifters and underwater vehicles that are used