Filling Gaps in the National High-Frequency Radar Network
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High-Frequency Radar: Supporting Critical Coastal Operations with Real-time Surface Current Data
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Search and rescue, oil spill response, harmful algal bloom tracking and forecasting, and water quality monitoring all depend on real-time information about the speed and direction of surface currents. IOOS operates the nation’s only network of high-frequency radars (HF radars) that provide this coverage. This land-based system is used by the Coast Guard for search and rescue and oil spill response. The Coast Guard estimates that the data from the radars reduces their search area by two-thirds, thereby saving lives.
The FY 17 IOOS budget included support for filling critical gaps in the northern Gulf of Mexico and along the Washington Coast. These radars will be used for search and rescue, oil spill response and detection of harmful algal blooms.
To learn more about how this innovative technology works and why it is important, CLICK HERE to see this video created by the IOOS Program Office and UCAR COMET.
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ICOOS Act Introduced in House and Senate
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Legislation has been introduced in both the House and the Senate to reauthorize the Integrated Coastal Ocean Observing System Act (ICOOS) of 2009. The Act established the framework for the IOOS program - the 17 Federal agencies, designated NOAA as the lead agencies and the national network of 11 Regional Associations.
Senators Wicker (R-MS) and Cantwell (D-WA) introduced S. 1425 “A bill to reauthorize the Integrated Ocean Observing System Act of 2017. Thank you to all the co-sponsors: Senators Sullivan (R-AK), Murkowski (R-AK), Graham (R-SC), Cassidy (R-LA), Collins (R-ME), Markey (D-MA), Peters (D-MI) and Schatz (D-HI). The Senate is expected to mark up their bill in early August. Click here for Senate legislation.
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IOOS in the Gulf of Mexico
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Moderator: Vice Admiral Paul Gaffney, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
- U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana
- Dr. Russell Callender, NOAA Assistant Administrator for the National Ocean Service
- Dr. Ruth Perry, Marine Science and Regulatory Policy Specialist and Oceanographer for Shell Oil
- Dr. Christopher D’Elia, Dean of the LSU College of the Coast & Environment
- Dr. Larry McKinney, Director of the Harte Research Institute in Texas
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Senators Wicker (R-MS) and Cassidy (R-LA) sponsored a briefing on IOOS in the Gulf of Mexico titled: Are we better informed today then before Hurricane Katrina and the Deepwater Horizon Spill?
Speakers from around the Gulf discussed the importance of long-term observations to assist the oil and gas industry, to predict the location and strength of the Loop Current, for safe navigation, and to prepare and respond to hurricanes and spills.
Despite the millions of dollars dedicated to Gulf restoration, none has supported the sustained observations needed to monitor trends, detect the Loop Current or safe operations. As such, the speakers concluded that we are not better off today to plan and response to major events in the Gulf.
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Three More Regional
Associations Certified
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Congratulations to Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System (CariCOOS), Southeast Coastal Ocean Regional Association (SECOORA) and the Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS) on being certified as a Regional Information Coordinating Entities (RICEs) under the ICOOS Act.
This designation means that the Regional Associations (RA) comply with national standards for organizational and operational practices and for data management. Each IOOS RA serves and integrates data from state and local governments, Federal agencies, universities, private companies, non-profits and citizens to create a robust understanding of the region’s coastal environment.
Complying with IOOS data standards ensures the data is reliability, accessible, and will be archived at NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information. All the data is public and freely available.
Seven of the eleven RAs are now certified and all others are in the process. For more about certification and the importance of data standards,
CLICK HERE.
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Importance of Investing in the Oceans
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Vice Admiral Paul G. Gaffney II, USN, (Ret.) and a IOOS Association Honorary Director writes about the importance of investing in ocean research for national security and national economic competitiveness. Thank you Admiral Gaffney, for being a #Voice4Science. Read editorial here >
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California Oyster Company Values
Ocean Data
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Image Credit: The Press Democrat
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Hog Island Oyster Company raises oysters and seafood in Northern California where changes in water temperature, chemistry and nutrients can affect their operations. In a recent article, they discuss to the importance of marine science, research and data provided by the CeNCOOS to their operations. Read article here >
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IOOS Advisory Committee Calls
for Members
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IOOS Advisory Committee, University of the Virgin Islands – St. Thomas, November 2015.
Image credit: U.S. IOOS
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The IOOS Advisory Committee is looking for new members. The Committee provides advice to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and to the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee (IOOC) on the planning, integrated design, operation, maintenance, enhancement, and expansion of U.S. IOOS. Applications will be accepted through September 20, 2017. Applications received after September 20, 2017 may not be considered during this membership application cycle, but may be considered for future cycles. Read more >
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IOOS Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the nation's coastal, ocean and Great Lakes observing systems through the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS). Read More >
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NOAA is the lead agency for IOOS. The IOOS Program Office is locate in the NOAA National Ocean Service and coordinates federal and regional activities.
Read More >
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U.S. IOOS includes a network of 11 Regional Associations that operate coastal observing systems.
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Header courtesy of Chris Ostrander, PacIOOS
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