The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS): A Regional Component of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System Landry Bernard National Data Buoy Center University of Southern Mississippi GCOOS Stakeholders Meeting January 24, 2005

Outline Background Existing Capabilities Actions to date in building the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System Next Steps

Background

The U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System will consist of three parts: 1.U.S. contribution to a global component of GOOS focused on climate and maritime services; 2. National backbone of observations and products from our coastal ocean supported by federal agencies; and 3. Contributions of Regional Coastal Ocean Observing Systems.

Regional Coastal Ocean Observing Systems To be eligible for federal support, each Regional Coastal Ocean Observing System must have a Regional Association that: 1.Provides representative governance and the capability to receive and distribute funds with all approved accounting procedures; 2.Maintains a sound business plan indicating users, requirements, costs, and sources of support; and 3.Represents the regional system within a National Federation of Regional Associations.

Existing Capabilities

There are many elements that can be used as the initial building blocks for a regional ocean observing system for the Gulf of Mexico. These include continuing observations, satellite products, models, and other data products. They are supported by local, state and federal government, private industry, NGOs, and academia. They provide information that will have broader uses when they are integrated and enhanced.

Building Blocks 1: Observations

In Situ

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TCOON Network

Houston/Galveston PORTS observation locations

BAYWATCH - Louisiana State University Nan Walker

Currently 5 stations Full suite meterological 3 Hydrographic Values Samples are taken every 10 seconds Minute, hourly, and daily summaries are recorded Data display is updated on the web every minute Archive Data available Currently 5 stations Full suite meterological 3 Hydrographic Values Samples are taken every 10 seconds Minute, hourly, and daily summaries are recorded Data display is updated on the web every minute Archive Data available

Long-Term Estuary Assessment Group (LEAG) Sensors, Platforms, and Markers Technical Working Group Tier 1. Biosensors and Platforms Development, integration, test, and evaluation of biosensor in autonomous underwater vehicle (Rey, COTS; Blake, TU; Blake, XU) Tier 2. Biomarkers in the Environment 1. Trace Gases of Microbial Flora as a Biomarker of Pollution (Boopathy, Nicholls) 2. Reproductive Status of Amphibians as a Biomarker of Pollution (Lafleur, Nicholls) 3. Molting in Fiddler Crabs as a Biomarker of Pollution (Zou, Nicholls) Education Technical Working Group 1. Integration of environmental sciences into high school curriculum 2. Students participate in field research 3. Students as Teachers (Wilson, CBR) Modeling and Processes Technical Working Group Tier 1. Processes 1. Acoustic Mapping (Allison, TU) 2. Biogeochemical Material Fluxes (McKee, TU) 3. Nitrate Monitoring (Dagg, LUMCON) 4. Geochemical Sampling (Bianchi, TU) 5. Strontium Geochemistry (Marcantonio, TU) 6. Pharmaceutically Active Compounds (Wang, XU) 7. Research Cruises (Dagg, LUMCON) Tier Two: Modeling 1. Sediment Transport (Michaelides, TU) 2. Mixing and Transport (Eschenazi, XU) 3. Modeling Transport in Rivers, Estuaries and Coastal Environments (Jobst, NRL/NAVO) Tier Three: Linkages 1. Data Management and Linkages Among Models, Monitoring and Processes (Dagg, LUMCON) Informatics Technical Working Group Tasks Spatial analysis of Mississippi bathymetry GIS data development for other TWGs Mapping/analysis of AUV pollutant data data Online GIS Support Education TWG in GIS training Develop maps and cartographic products in support of all project efforts. (Meffert, CBR) USGS: Nexus of Science in the Lower Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico NOAA: Science in Service of Policy in the Mississippi River / Gulf of Mexico Estuary Project Period: 7/1/02-8/31/03

WAVCIS - Wave-Current Surge Information System For Coastal Louisiana

Tampa Bay PORTS observation locations

University of South Florida COMPS

Gulf of Mexico Observing Sites

Remote Sensing

Satellite Products

SeaWiFs Ocean Color February 2001

Building Blocks 2: Models and Products

Model Products

Gulf of Mexico Ocean Monitoring System

Texas Water Development Board

Embayments of the NE Gulf of Mexico – ADCIRC Pearl River Model Bay St. Louis Model Biloxi Bay Model Mobile Bay Model Mississippi Bight Model

Wave Prediction in Mississippi Sound 11 Nov 1800 GMT 2002 SWAN versus Buoy 42040

Actions to date in building the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System

Six Gulf-wide meetings have been held: –First focused on academia –Second focused on state and federal agencies –Third focused on private sectors –Fourth focused on predicting, detecting and tracking Harmful Algal Blooms –Fifth focused on underpinning research –Sixth focused on education and outreach Actions 1

A GCOOS Mission Statement has been adopted. A Resolution to develop GCOOS, beginning with sharing of non- proprietary, non-commercial data, has been signed by some 50 individuals representing themselves or institutions. Actions 2

Mission Statement: Vision We seek to establish a sustained observing system for the Gulf of Mexico to provide observations and products needed by users in this region for the purposes of Detecting and predicting climate variability and consequences, Preserving and restoring healthy marine ecosystems, Ensuring human health, Managing resources, Facilitating safe and efficient marine transportation, Enhancing national security, and Predicting and mitigating against coastal hazards.

Mission Statement (continued) We envision sharing of non-commercial, non-proprietary data, models, and products via the internet for the common benefit of all participants, including industry, NGOs, academia, and federal, state, regional, and local government agencies. It is understood that this Gulf of Mexico observing system will be integrated with other regional coastal ocean observing systems, in particular to create an integrated and sustained U.S. component of the ocean observing system.

Mission Statement (continued) We recognize that the system will require sustained financial support from a combination of government, private, and non-governmental organizations. That will be possible only if the system is built and remains responsive to the needs of these organizations and to the public. Thus, the system will be subject to continuing oversight by representatives of such organizations and of the public. Collaboration with other nations bordering the Gulf of Mexico is to be actively sought in the design and implementation of this regional observing system.

Resolution The implementation sections reads: The Signatories hereby resolve to work together toward establishment of a Gulf of Mexico Regional Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS); to work toward development of regional governance structures and coordination; to work towards common data management standards; and to openly share non-proprietary data and metadata, non-commercial data and products, model code, and related information. …….Signatories will actively seek collaborations with other nations bordering the Gulf of Mexico in the design and implementation of this regional observing system. The Signatories will work toward implementation of specific action items decided upon at the workshop held at Stennis Space Center, MS, January 14-15, 2003,

Signatories L.G. Adams, Weeks Bay NERR Kim Adams, Essi Corporation Vernon Asper, University of Southern Mississippi Peter Betzer, University of South Florida John Blaha, Naval Oceanographic Office Jim Byous, Gulf Fiber Corporation Lisa Campbell, Texas A&M University Jim Cato, Florida Sea Grant Billy D. Causey, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Robert Cohen, Weathernews Americas Inc. H.D. Covert, Coastal Operations Institute George Crozier, Mobile Bay National Estuary Program and Dauphin Island Sea Lab Steven F. DiMarco, Texas A&M University Dean Dunn, National Coastal Data Development Center Wilford Gardner, Texas A&M University Bryon O. Griffith, EPA Gulf of Mexico Program Office Norman Guinasso, Texas A&M University Matthew Howard, Texas A&M University Ann Jochens, Texas A&M University Gregg Jacobs, Naval Research Laboratory Gary Jeffress, Texas A&M University Corpus Christi Mark Luther, University of South Florida Robert (Buzz) Martin, Texas General Land Office Gil McRae, Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Douglas Meffert, Long-term Estuary Assessment Group Avichal Mehra, Mississippi State University Patrick Michaud, Texas A&M University Corpus Christi Paul Moersdorf, National Data Buoy Center Christopher N. K. Mooers, University of Miami Frank Muller-Karger, University of South Florida Worth D. Nowlin, Jr., Texas A&M University James J. O’Brien, Florida State University John C. Ogden, Florida Institute of Oceanography Alex Orsi, Texas A&M University Shirley Pomponi, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution David Prior, Texas A&M University Nancy Rabalais, Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium Mary Jo Richardson, Texas A&M University Mitchell Roffer, Roffer’s Ocean Fishing Forecasting Service, Inc. Kerry St. Pe, Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium William Seitz, Texas A&M University Galveston Thomas M. Soniat, Nicholls State University Robert Stewart, Texas A&M University Robert Stickney, Texas Sea Grant Program Gregory Stone, Louisiana State University LaDon Swann, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium John W. (Wes) Tunnell, Jr., Texas A&M University Corpus Christi Jan van Smirren, Fugro GEOS Inc. Nan Walker, Louisiana State University Robert H. Weisberg, University of South Florida James Robert Woolsey, University of Mississippi

An inventory of existing operational and product-producing components for the Gulf of Mexico, together with descriptions, costs, out-year budgets, and users is being maintained. A web portal to ongoing Gulf of Mexico activities has been created: Actions 3

Estimated Costs GCOOS Elements

Actions 4 We are working to establish a data and information management system that is –Part of a national system; integrated with other regional coastal observing systems –Coordinated with observing system elements in Mexico and Cuba –Integrated with the global observing system module Well along in dealing with real-time physical data

NDBC MODEM Kit (Meteorological and Oceanographic Data Exchange Module) Public NCEP NODC NCDC Global Telecommunications Service Global Telecommunications Service NWS GATEWAY NWS GATEWAY Wx. Channel Local Media Wx. Channel Local Media NWS Forecast Offices NWS Forecast Offices Observers Web-Page Observers Web-Page Regional Observatories ftp NDBC QA/QC NDBC Web-Page Dial-A-Buoy OPeNDAP Sensor / Observation

Present Partners of NDBC in IOOS Data Sharing Skidaway Institute of Technology Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System (GoMOOS) Coastal Ocean Monitoring and Prediction System (COMPS) Texas Automated Buoy System (TABS) Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium (LUMCON) Texas Coastal Ocean Observing Network (TCOON) University of Connecticut’s MYSOUND Stephens Institute of Technology (New Jersey)

Future Partners of NDBC in IOOS Data Sharing SUNY Stony Brook (Long Island Ferry) NAVSEA Warfare Center (Dania, FL) Chesapeake Bay Observing System (CBOS) Mississippi Dept. of Marine Resources NOAA’s National Estuarine Research Reserve Program CORIE (Columbia River) MBARI (Monterey Bay) Oil and gas industry

Planned capabilities for transfer of real time data Present: –Wind Direction, Speed, Gust –Significant Wave Height, Dominant Period –Sea Level Pressure –Air, Dew Point, and Sea Surface Temperature –Visibility –Water Level (Coastal Stations, w/ respect to MLLW) –Temperature Profile –Salinity Profile –Current Profile Future: –Swell Direction, Period –Wave Spectrum

We have a small multi-year grant from NOAA to help establish a Regional Association to manage GCOOS. We have a pending proposal for a more ambitious effort. We have representatives from GCOOS to the National Federation of Regional Associations: Robert (Buzz) Martin, TGLO Landry Bernard, NDBC/NWS Actions 5

Next Steps

Next Steps 1 We must agree on a governance structure for the GCOOS Regional Association

Next Steps 2 We must elect a Board of Directors for the Regional Association and appoint members to other structures: - Stakeholders Council - Education and Outreach Council - Committees

Next Steps 3 We must prepare an initial Business Plan for the GCOOS-RA.

If you wish to become a signatory to the resolution, please send an request to stating if you are signing as an individual or for an institution. Thank You Please visit our web site for further information.