Ocean Observations: Present and Future Capitol Hill Oceans Week June 10, 2004 Brig. Gen. David L. Johnson, USAF (Ret.) NOAA Assistant Administrator for Weather Services

Ocean Observations: Present and Future BackgroundBackground NOAA’s Ocean ObservationsNOAA’s Ocean Observations National Weather Service Operational Information FlowNational Weather Service Operational Information Flow NOAA’s Ocean ServicesNOAA’s Ocean Services Integrated Ocean Observing System and National Water Quality Monitoring SystemIntegrated Ocean Observing System and National Water Quality Monitoring System ConclusionConclusion

Increasing Global Pressures

How Do You Define Ocean? White Water to Blue Water is the Geographic ScopeWhite Water to Blue Water is the Geographic Scope

NOAA’s Ocean Observations PORTS™ NWLON Mussel Watch NERR Sites WX Buoys C-MAN Buoys Geodesy – CORS

TAO Array Tropical Atmosphere Ocean ArrayEl Niño Forecasting

NOAA Satellites Imaging & MonitoringImaging & Monitoring –Severe Weather Events –Iceberg Events –Ocean Events –Tropical Cyclones –Oil Spills –Sea Surface Temperature –Ocean Color and Chlorophyll Levels –Ocean Surface Winds –Coral Bleaching –Ocean Precipitation GOES POES

Additional Sources for NOAA Observations Voluntary Observing ShipsVoluntary Observing Ships Marine Observations (MAROBs)Marine Observations (MAROBs) PartnershipsPartnerships

Weather Forecast Offices/ River Forecast Centers Emergency Managers Public National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service National Weather Service Operational Information Flow National Centers for Environmental Prediction National Data Buoy Center Telecommunication Gateway NWS Marine Observing Network Global Telecommunication System Operational Bulletins DATADELIVERY Gulf of Maine Observing System Coastal Ocean Monitoring & Prediction System Texas Automated Buoy System

NOAA’s Ocean Services Marine Forecasts and Warnings for:Marine Forecasts and Warnings for: –Coastal waters –Great Lakes –Offshore waters –High seas waters –Rip currents –Hurricanes –Tsunamis Seasonal OutlooksSeasonal Outlooks –Hurricane Season –El Niño/La Niña

NOAA’s Ocean Services Coral Reef Conservation International Collaboration Marine Protected Areas National Marine Sanctuaries Ocean Exploration Oil and Chemical Spills Coastal Decision-making Tools Coastal Ecosystem Science Coastal Management Coastal Monitoring and Observations Contaminants in the Environment Ecological Forecasting National Estuarine Research Reserves Natural Hazards Assessment Natural Resource Restoration Training and Capacity- building Aerial Photography and Shoreline Mapping Global Positioning Marine Navigation Tides and Currents

Ocean Commission Recommendations Integrated Ocean Observing SystemIntegrated Ocean Observing System National Water Quality Monitoring SystemNational Water Quality Monitoring System

NOAA’s Vision of an Integrated Ocean Observing System As part of NOAA’s integrated earth observing system, provide a sustained global to local ocean observation & data management/ communication system.As part of NOAA’s integrated earth observing system, provide a sustained global to local ocean observation & data management/ communication system.

Integrated Ocean Management

Bringing It All Together

DMAC Standards and Protocols IOOS Data Management & Communications (DMAC) Currently '07 Start

What is the Impact of a Climate Prediction Center Forecast for a Wetter Than Normal Summer on Chesapeake Bay Oystermen? Seasonal Precipitation Above Normal Below Normal

Water Quality Monitoring Nutrient Loading Oyster Mortality SalinitySalinity TurbidityTurbidity -NUTRIENTS+-NUTRIENTS+ -NUTRIENTS+-NUTRIENTS+ -TURBIDITY+-TURBIDITY+ -TURBIDITY+-TURBIDITY+ -MORTALITY+-MORTALITY+ -MORTALITY+-MORTALITY+ -SALINITY+-SALINITY+ -SALINITY+-SALINITY+

Enhanced ability to protect lives and property and expand economic opportunities, understanding climate variability, and promote healthy ecosystems.Enhanced ability to protect lives and property and expand economic opportunities, understanding climate variability, and promote healthy ecosystems. More cost-effective use of infrastructures, knowledge, and expertise.More cost-effective use of infrastructures, knowledge, and expertise. Rapid access to environmental data and information.Rapid access to environmental data and information. More timely detection and prediction of changes and events.More timely detection and prediction of changes and events. Broader application of data and information.Broader application of data and information. Increased funding for research and monitoring.Increased funding for research and monitoring. Benefits of IOOS and a National Water Quality Monitoring System

Present Ocean Sensor? Future?