I hope you were able to attend our Spring Members Meeting! We had a great lineup of speakers who provided updates on what’s happening at the National Data Buoy Center, the new Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology (CIROH), funding at the federal level, diversity and equity and more. We’ve posted the recordings on our website (details below) and I’d encourage you to check them out for all the latest news. Our next meeting will be in the fall — we’re hoping to meet in person and will keep you posted on location and all the details as the meeting draws closer.
The fall meeting is when we will also officially welcome the newly elected and re-elected members to our Board of Directors, but I wanted to take a minute to welcome Dr. Jessica Henkel, Science Advisor and Coordinator for the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (RESTORE Council) to the Board as a new governmental sector representative, and to thank those who were re-elected for their continued service.
As we head into summer hurricane season — and the busiest time of year for glider operations and ocean observing in the Gulf — I also wanted to recognize Dr. Kerri Whilden, GCOOS Oceanographer, for all her hard work coordinating glider and HFR operations for us for the past several years. Kerri will be moving on to a new position as Senior Environmental Project Manager at Fugro. We look forward to continuing to work with her in her new role.
One other change recently announced is the fall retirement of Josie Quintrell, Executive Director of the IOOS Association. Josie has been a great advocate for the need to support for the nation’s 11 regional ocean observing associations. We're grateful for her efforts and will be sorry to see her go, but we wish her well in her next adventure!
The official June 1 start of hurricane season is just around the corner and I hope you’ve made your hurricane plans and preparations. The National Hurricane Center is predicting an above-average year for storms, so be sure to plan ahead! And don’t forget: You can get all your hurricane updates on the GCOOS Data Portal.
Until next month,
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GCOOS Spring Meeting is a Wrap! |
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Speakers during the GCOOS Spring Meeting provided updates on the ocean-observing infrastructure in the Gulf of Mexico and the U.S.
The plenary speaker was Dr. William Burnett, Director of the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC), which uses marine buoys to collect and disseminate ocean observations that support maritime navigation as well as predictions to changes in weather, climate, oceans and coasts. The NDBC operates the world’s largest network of ocean observing buoys and has gathered nearly 50 years of data about the Gulf of Mexico. Data points include air temperature, relative humidity and dew point, barometric pressure, wave height and period and sea surface temperature.
Additional speakers included:
- Josie Quintrell, Executive Director of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System Association
- Carl Gouldman, Director of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System
- Scott Rayder, Executive Director of The Alabama Water Institute and the new Cooperative Institute for Research to Operations in Hydrology based at the University of Alabama
- Ashley Peiffer, IOOS Association DEI Fellow
- Dr. Jorge Brenner, GCOOS Executive Director
Did you miss the meeting? We’ve posted the recordings to our website for your convenience!
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Welcome Aboard: GCOOS Board Election Results |
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Just before the close of the GCOOS Spring Meeting, GCOOS Board Chair Joe Swaykos shared the results from the recent GCOOS Board of Directors election. Elected were:
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Private Sector: Dr. Ruth Perry, Marine Scientist and Regulatory Policy Specialist for Shell Exploration and Production Americas and Jan van Smirren, Consultant Oceanographer with Ocean Sierra LLC
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Government Sector: Dr. Jessica Henkel, Science Advisor and Coordinator for the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council (RESTORE Council), and Dr. Pat Hogan, oceanographer and Branch Chief of Ocean Sciences for the National Centers for Environmental Information
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Outreach and Education Sector: Dr. Nan Walker, Director of Louisiana State University’s Earth Scan Laboratory
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Academic Sector: Dr. Stephan Howden, Associate Professor in the School of Ocean Science and Engineering and Director, Hydrographic Science Research Center at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Kirsten Larsen, Coastal Data Science Advisor for the National Centers of Environmental Information (NCEI), has been elected Vice Chair of the Board and Howden has been elected Secretary.
The new and re-elected board members will officially take their seats at the GCOOS fall meeting.
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GCOOS Spring Webinar Recordings |
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During the GCOOS Spring Webinar Series “Southern Gulf of Mexico Marine Observations, Research and Technology: Opportunities for Gulf-Wide Synergies and Cooperation,” Mexican consortia presented their activities over the past six years in conducting basic and applied research in the Gulf. They also discussed ongoing research, the scientific and technological capabilities they have in place, recent synthesis publications, and ideas for future collaboration in this large marine ecosystem. If you weren’t able to attend, or would like to review a particular webinar, the entire series of recordings is now available at the GCOOS website.
Thanks to all our presenting colleagues and our fellow sponsors for making this series a success. We look forward to building on our relationships with our Mexico colleagues for a better understanding of the wider Gulf.
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Click here to watch the video series
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GCOOS was proud to once again sponsor GOMCON — this year held in Baton Rouge in April. In addition to providing phone-charging stations to keep participants "plugged in,” GCOOS staff hosted an exhibit, provided demonstrations of the next generation HABscope at the Tools Café, and gave five presentations focused on filling gaps in the Gulf of Mexico Outer Continental Shelf using data from the oil and gas industry; extending use of data from GCOOS to spark interest in STEM careers; Gulf glider operations in support of tropical cyclone intensification forecasts; and engaging citizens in harmful algal bloom monitoring.
The GCOOS team included Executive Director Dr. Jorge Brenner and staff Felimon Gayanilo, Grant Craig, and Drs. Barb Kirkpatrick, Chris Simoniello and Kerri Whilden. The event, organized by the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, provided many opportunities to welcome new members to GCOOS and learn about current and emerging challenges and opportunities.
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GCOOS Executive Director Dr. Jorge Brenner and Senior Advisor Dr. Barb Kirkpatrick at the GCOOS booth. |
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GCOOS Systems Architect and Co-Data Manager Felimon Gayanilo discusses the data portal. |
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Program Coordinator Grant Craig (right) showcases HABscope during the Tools Cafe. |
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(from L to R) GCOOS Board Vice Chair Kirsten Larson, Program Coordinator Grant Craig, Outreach and Education Manager Dr. Chris Simoniello and Oceanographer Dr. Kerri Whilden at the GCOOS booth. |
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In order to fully understand ocean dynamics in the Gulf of Mexico, it's essential to communicate information across international borders.
That’s why GCAN is partnering with the Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi to organize the International Ocean Acidification Summit, Oct. 18-19 in Merida, Mexico. The summit includes six invited representatives each from Cuba, Mexico and the U.S.
The goal for this introductory summit is to discuss current research, identify information gaps, and coordinate collaborations between the three countries moving forward. We expect to expand future workshops and summits, so please stay tuned for updates!
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Did you know that GCOOS has a data portal dedicated to sharing the latest hurricane storm tracks and forecasts that also provides useful information on hurricane preparation and planning?
The portal features current forecast maps from NOAA’s Hurricane Center, storm surge, wind and rain predictions, offers hurricane preparedness information as well as links to statewide emergency operations centers. Bookmark the page now so you have easy access to monitor the strength and movement of tropical systems.
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Hurricane Season Forecast |
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The annual Atlantic hurricane season forecast is out and the experts say we can expect a busy year above the 1991-2020 average. The probability of U.S. major hurricane landfall is estimated to be about 135 percent of the long-period average, according to Colorado State University predictions. Specifically, early forecasts are predicting:
- 19 named storms (average is 14.4)
- Nine hurricanes (average is 7.2)
- Four major (Category 3-5) hurricanes (average is 3.2)
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Read the full discussion
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Are hurricanes becoming stronger and more frequent? As the climate changes, normal baselines about weather, storms and more are changing, too. This four-minute video explores the "new normal" in hurricanes and tropical storms. |
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This four-minute video was funded by the NOAA Gulf of Mexico Regional Collaboration Network and developed in a partnership between the GCOOS Outreach and Education Council and Robin Cooper, Executive Producer, Future Vision Multisensory Media. Special thanks to collaborator Roy Kron, Director of Communications at Louisiana Sea Grant, for sharing disaster and recovery photo albums. |
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Are You Ready for Hurricane Season? |
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Whether you’re a new-to-the Gulf region resident or a long-time denizen, it’s important to be prepared no matter what hurricane season throws your way. NOAA has a great resource page that covers all the basics and more!
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In 2010, the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon resulted in the largest man-made disaster in U.S. history. Today, each Gulf state administers restoration funds and programs. Additionally, other agencies and organizations are also tasked with administering programs designed to restore Gulf habitats and better understand Gulf ecosystems.
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Film Premiere and Webinar: In Times of Crisis |
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Registration is now open for In Times of Crisis: Stories from the Gulf of Mexico film premiere and webinar.
This event will feature three short films demonstrating how colleges and universities are working with Gulf of Mexico communities to prepare for and recover from various crises. The short films were developed through the Gulf Research Program’s Board on Gulf Education and Engagement and the Policy and Global Affairs Division’s Board on Higher Education and Workforce of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.
“This must-see series is inspirational, showing the role higher education is playing in local communities to promote preparedness and support recovery for crises ranging from oil spills and hurricanes to social and environmental justice issues," said Dr. Chris Simoniello, GCOOS Outreach and Education Manager and member of the GRP's Board on Gulf Education and Engagement. These are powerful personal stories you don’t want to miss!”
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When: 1-3 p.m. EDT Tuesday, June 14
The three films are:
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Passage of Time: The Stories of Isle de Jean Charles (Dr. Heather Stone, Assistant Professor of Education, University of Louisiana at Lafayette)
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After Michael: Memory and Reinvention in Port St Joe (Dr. Jeffrey Carney, Associate Professor + Director, FIBER, University of Florida)
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Crisis, Connection, and Community Resilience (Janel Lowman, Senior Manager, Community Outreach, USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute; Dr. Melissa L. Finucane, Senior Social and Behavioral Scientist, RAND Corporation)
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Interactive Gulf App for Boaters |
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The Alabama Water Institute and the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium have developed a new app that provides a fast, interactive way to find important weather, boating, safety and fishing information for the Gulf of Mexico.
Developed through a student-led project from The University of Alabama’s Management Information Systems program, the app allows users to instantly access information about weather, tides, buoy stations, water safety and fishing regulations based on their location.
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Learn more
- Download the app: Search for AWI-MAPP in your app store
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New Oyster Mariculture Site |
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Texas Sea Grant has developed a new website dedicated to oyster mariculture (or farming). This new online resource provides information for oyster farmers and oyster enthusiasts alike to learn more about this emerging industry.
The website houses a breadth of oyster information, including a step-by-step guide to the permitting process in Texas, aimed at helping farmers successfully launch their businesses. The site also contains up-to-date information about gear types and techniques, biosecurity, risk management, and more. Additionally, viewers can find accurate information on the nutritional and environmental benefits of oysters, oyster recipes, and the truth behind commonly believed oyster myths.
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Marine Operations of Yore |
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NOAA and its partners have discovered the wreck of a 207-year-old whaling ship, called Industry, a 64-foot long, two-masted wooden brig, off the Louisiana/Mississippi coast in 6,000 feet of water. The discovery opens a window into a little known chapter of American history when descendants of African enslaved people and Native Americans served as essential crew in one of the nation’s oldest industries.
Industry was whaling primarily for sperm whales more than 70 miles off the mouth of the Mississippi River; it was lost when a strong storm snapped its masts and opened its hull to the sea on May 26, 1836.
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Fisheries Changes Over Time |
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NOAA Fisheries has developed a new interactive fisheries data portal that shows how specific marine species’ locations have shifted over time, which may be in response to climate change.
The Distribution Mapping and Analysis Portal, or DisMAP, can help stakeholders like fishery managers and researchers understand and respond to changes in marine species' distributions. The portal uses NOAA Fisheries bottom trawl survey data — some dating back almost 50 years. Stakeholders can use the portal’s map-based visualizations to explore changes over time in the distributions of more than 800 different species of marine fishes and invertebrates found throughout U.S. waters.
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New: Marine Heatwave Forecasts |
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Researchers have developed global forecasts that can provide up to a year's advance notice of marine heatwaves, sudden and pronounced increases in ocean temperatures that can dramatically affect ocean ecosystems. The forecasts described in the journal Nature could help fishing fleets, ocean managers, and coastal communities anticipate the effects of marine heatwaves.
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Healthy Ecosystems & Living Resources |
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Is there a connection between red tides in the Gulf of Mexico and hypoxic conditions on the West Florida Shelf? New research in the journal Harmful Algae from the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School for Marine and Atmospheric Science, the NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center and the NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory suggests that there is.
The researchers examined oceanographic data from 2004 to 2019 across the West Florida Shelf to determine the frequency of hypoxia and to assess its association with known HABs. Hypoxia was present in five of the 16 years examined and was always found shoreward of the 50-meter bathymetry line. There were two clusters of recurrent hypoxia: midshelf off the Big Bend coast and near the southwest Florida coast. Though data were limited, there is sufficient evidence to suggest a causal linkage between them.
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Dolphins Births a Safe-Boating Reminder |
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The Chicago Zoological Society’s Sarasota Dolphin Research Program — the world’s longest-running study of a wild dolphin population, based in Sarasota Bay, Florida — has announced the first two calves of the 2022 season. It’s good reminder for those of us living, working and playing in coastal areas to be on the lookout for marine life while we’re boating.
While these tips are focused on dolphins, they apply just as well to other marine life. Safe boating!
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Think our underwater world is silent as the grave? Nope. It’s really a pretty noisy place and NOAA and the U.S. Navy are working to better understand underwater sound within the National Marine Sanctuary System.
The agencies are working with numerous scientific partners to study sound within seven national marine sanctuaries and one marine national monument and will use standardized measurements to assess sounds produced by marine animals, physical processes (e.g., wind and waves), and human activities.
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Incentives for Litter Removal: A Survey |
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GOMA’s Marine Debris Cross-Team Initiative needs your help to learn about give-aways, positive promotion, and other incentives that have been used to encourage marine debris and litter removal. Share your successes by completing a short survey. The goal of the Marine Debris Cross-Team is to address marine debris and its impacts to habitats, wildlife, and economies through a coordinated approach.
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Recognizing Gulf Guardians |
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Congrats to GCOOS Board Member Renee Collini (center) and the Gulf of Mexico Alliance for their recent Gulf Guardian awards!
The Gulf of Mexico Division of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency initiated the Gulf Guardian awards in 2000 to recognize and honor the businesses, community groups, individuals and agencies that are taking positive steps to keep the Gulf healthy, beautiful, and productive. Awards were given in five categories: individual, business/industry, youth environmental education, civic/nonprofit organizations, and partnership.
Renee Collini, Coordinator for the Program for Local Adaptation to Climate Effects: Sea-Level Rise (PLACE: SLR), was the first place individual award winner! Her focus on actionable science and stakeholder engagement have made a significant positive impact on sea-level rise resilience in Mississippi, Alabama and Northwest Florida. Under her guidance, PLACE: SLR has helped to advance and communicate storm surge and marsh modeling, develop a sea-level rise curriculum, fund community and ecosystem resilience projects, and integrate sea-level rise into municipal-level planning. Renee’s genuine commitment to the people of the northern Gulf and unparalleled work ethic make her an asset to the Gulf community.
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The Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA) recognition for its role as a key partner in two projects in the partnership category. GOMA is a regional partnership focused on enhancing the environmental and economic health of the Gulf of Mexico through collaboration. Priority issues include coastal community resilience; data and monitoring; education; habitat; water resources; wildlife and fisheries; and marine debris.
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GCOOS maintains a jobs listing for positions and fellowships in the ocean observing community. Want to advertise a position? Email Laura Caldwell
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View Position Details/Bookmark This Page
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Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Association: Executive Director
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Mote Marine Laboratory: Ocean Technology Program Manager
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Ocean Visions UN Center for Ocean-Climate Solutions and Innovation: Director
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Florida State University, Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science: Assistant Professor (5 positions)
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Mississippi State University, Gulf Research Institute: Research Engineer
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State of Louisiana: Coastal Resources Scientist Senior DCL B
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Mote Marine Laboratory: Postdoctoral Fellow, Ecotoxicology, Postdoctoral Fellow, Seagrass Ecosystem Research, Aquarium Guest Services Associate, Sponsored Programs Accountant, Postdoctoral Fellow, Marine Microbiology, Captain/Coral Restoration Technician, Summerland Key
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GOOS Biology: Data Manager
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Audubon Society: Senior Director, Coastal Conservation
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Restore America's Estuaries: Grant Administrator
Postdoctoral Positions:
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National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration: National Centers for Coastal Ocean Sciences, NRC Research Programs
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National Research Council: Research Associateship Programs Postdoctoral and Senior Research Awards
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The University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute: Algal Biological and Chemical Diversity
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Loyola Marymount University: Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Bioinformatics and Machine Learning
Fellowships:
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National Academies of Science, Engineering and Mathematics: Early Career Fellowships
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National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Sciences: Minorities in Aquaculture Internship Opportunity
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Department of Defense: Visualization of Coastal Data, Coastal Vulnerability Assessment Fellow
- Living Planet Fellowship
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GCOOS maintains a listing of funding opportunities. Have an opportunity you'd like to advertise? Email Laura Caldwell
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NASEM: Gulf Research Program’s Early-Career Research Fellowship
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Florida Red Tide Mitigation and Technology Development Initiative – 4th Request For Proposals
- Living Planet Fellowship
- Gulf of Mexico Alliance
- Restore Science Program
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14-16: 2022 IOOS DMAC Meeting. We are pleased to announce that the 2022 DMAC Meeting will take place virtually on the afternoons (1:00 - 5:00 PM ET) from Tuesday, June 14 through Thursday, June 16. Please save these dates in your calendars. Similar to last year, this year's meeting will consist of two parts each day. The first part will be presentation/plenary style sessions, composed of several 15-20 minute presentation slots. The second part will be breakout discussion groups where the group can dig into specific topics of interest. To help us identify topics of interest to the IOOS DMAC community, we've created a document edit which you can populate with your topics, who a presenter might be, the time needed, and the suggester's name. The deadline to provide input on the agenda is Friday, May 6. If you have any questions, please contact data.ioos@noaa.gov.
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27-1 July: United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development. Lisbon. B roadcast live on UN WebTV
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GCOOS is the Gulf of Mexico regional component of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) and the only certified system dedicated solely to the Gulf of Mexico. Our mission is to provide timely, reliable, accurate and on-demand information on the open ocean and coastal ocean waters of the Gulf of Mexico to ensure a healthy, clean, productive ocean and resilient coastal zone. |
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Dr. Jorge Brenner, Executive Director • Dr. Barbara Kirkpatrick, Senior Advisor • Bill Lingsch, U.S. Glider User Group Coordinator • Dr. Chris Simoniello, Outreach & Education Coordinator • Felimon Gayanilo, Systems Architect, Co-Data Manager • Bob Currier, Research Specialist, Product Developer, Co-Data Manager • Marion Stoessel, Senior Research Associate • Jennifer Vreeland-Dawson, Research Associate • Grant Craig, Program Coordinator • Laura Caldwell, Program Assistant • Nadine Slimak, Public Relations & Content Marketing, Vetted Communications
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In Memoriam: Matt Howard, 1952-2018
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