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Greetings!
February was a great month for ocean observing in the Gulf, with the Ocean Sciences Meeting 2024 in New Orleans and the Gulf of Mexico Conference (GOMCON) in Tampa.
GCOOS staff focused on GOMCON, where we had the opportunity to present on and discuss a variety of topics, including offshore wind, data management, communications, GCAN and the CETACEAN project. It was good to see the Gulf community in person and have the opportunity to build new partnerships throughout the week. We even welcomed 19 new members to GCOOS!
This week, I was at the IOOS Spring Meeting in Washington, D.C. and then met with Congressional representatives from Gulf of Mexico states. Don't miss these upcoming activities:
- We’re kicking of a new webinar series in April in partnership with SECOORA and MBON;
- Nominations have opened for the GCOOS Board of Directors;
- And don’t forget to mark your calendar for our own Spring meeting, which will take place in person in Galveston, Texas, May 9-10.
Until next month!
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Registration is now open for the GCOOS Spring Board and Members Meeting, which is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 9 and 8:30 a.m. to noon May 10 at Texas A&M University Galveston's Waterfront Pavilion, Galveston, Texas.
We’ll be staying at the Tremont Hotel, 2300 Ship's Mechanic Row, Galveston, Texas, 77550. The room block rate is $179 (or $95 federal) but in order to receive that rate, you must register via our online form.
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Click here to register now
- We’re still working on the meeting agenda but look for a special email soon!
| GCOOS Board Elections Now Open | |
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Nominations have opened for the 2024 GCOOS Board Elections. Members of the Board of Directors have the opportunity to be involved in helping to chart the course for GCOOS and support ocean observing opportunities across the five Gulf states, along with international efforts throughout the wider Gulf of Mexico. (View current board list here.) Self-nominations are welcome; you may also nominate a colleague, as long as they are willing to serve.
Board seats are based on sectors. In 2024, we will be electing:
- One member each from the government, academic and outreach/education sectors
- Two members from the private sector.
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Only GCOOS members may vote for the Board. Not yet a member but interested in joining? Click here for details and to join.
Important dates and deadlines
- March 1: Nominations open
- March 29: Nominations close
- April 2: Ballots sent to electors
- April 19: Voting ends
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Click here for details on making a nomination
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2024 GCOOS Congressional Meetings | |
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Each year, GCOOS meets with staff in the offices of U.S. Senators and Representatives from each of the five Gulf of Mexico states. We provide information and updates on how GCOOS activities support their constituents and demonstrate the need for ocean observing data in the Gulf.
This year, Dr. Jorge Brenner, GCOOS Executive Director, and Grant Craig, Project Manager, shared information on projects and the economic, environmental and human safety benefits that stem from the data collected by GCOOS members and partners across the Gulf and beyond.
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On the Hill (from left): IOOS Association Executive Director Kristen Yarancik, GCOOS Executive Director Dr. Jorge Brenner and GCOOS Project Manager Grant Craig at the Capitol. ©GCOOS | |
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The meetings were successful and will help to support the IOOS appropriation request for FY2024, Brenner said.
Did you know that information about how GCOOS data is used in real-world applications is crucial to these efforts? If you have an example of a public benefit derived from ocean observing in the Gulf, please share it with us.
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GCOOS Fellows Attend Ocean Sciences Meeting | |
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2024 GCOOS Fellows Cassandra Stanish and Matthew Barrs just returned from the Ocean Sciences Meeting in New Orleans, where they experienced a variety of talks, interacted with people across multiple disciplines and made great connections.
The six-month GCOOS Fellowship, made possible by the Howard Scholarship Fund, supports professional development and networking opportunities for students with an interest in oceanography and data management systems. It also enables the fellows to attend the Ocean Sciences Meeting. The fund, established in 2018, honors the legacy of Dr. Matthew Howard, a founding member of GCOOS who developed a unique expertise in oceanography and ocean data management systems.
“The Ocean Sciences Meeting was an amazing opportunity full of incredible scientists and researchers,” said Stanish, who attends the Florida Institute of Technology. “While there, I had the pleasure of meeting people with interesting backgrounds and learned about their research.”
Barrs, who is attending the University of Central Florida, was also excited by the opportunity. “The experience was truly enlightening as I look toward my future aspirations in the ocean sciences field,” he said. “I saw research from building low-cost ROVs to high school students measuring oyster growth in their local bay. I also met professionals from several companies in the underwater robotics industry.”
In addition to sharing mechanical engineering as a major, both students honor Howard’s legacy with their generosity and enthusiasm to volunteer in their community and mentor younger students in a variety of STEM-related activities.
“There is something reassuring and inspirational about being surrounded by people who are so passionate about the ocean and I love that I get to be a part of it,” Stanish said.
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Joint Webinar Series Starts in April | |
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GCOOS and SECOORA are teaming up on a webinar series focused on establishing collaborative opportunities among the U.S. Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON), the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Acidification Network (GCAN) and the Southeast Ocean and Coastal Acidification Network (SOCAN) that will kick off on April 11. Organizing panel members are Dr. Chris Simoniello, GCOOS; Jennifer Vreeland-Dawson, GCOOS/GCAN; Dr. Kim Yates, USGS/GCAN; Dr. Emily Hall, MML/SOCAN; Jennifer Dorton, SECOORA; Emily Noakes, SECOORA.The goal is to build synergy across the networks to advance science in support of resource management and the Blue Economy. Series objectives include:
- Advancing understanding of the state of MBON and OA science, with emphasis on the southeast Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico;
- Identifying opportunities to bridge MBON and the OA fields of science;
- Synthesizing lessons learned across MBON and OA activities to develop new partnerships and identify collaborative research opportunities.
Dr. Kim Yates, GCAN Steering Committee Chair, will provide the opening overview, followed by OA speakers Dr. Leticia Barbero, chemical oceanographer, and Dr. Ana Palacio, biologist, NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory and MBON speaker, Gabrielle Canonico, NOAA IOOS
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When: Noon to 1:10 p.m. ET April 11
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Where: GoTo Meeting (download the app here)
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Registration: Please register here to receive the webinar
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“Satori and the Mystery of the Dirty Data”
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GCOOS Product Developer and Co-Data Manager Bob Currier recently created a new video designed as a training aid to teach non-data scientists about the daily lives of data scientists. In the video, titled “Satori and the Mystery of the Dirty Data,” he takes viewers through the entire cycle of data processing — from finding and cleaning data, to creating and training artificial intelligence (AI) models, and finally, to visualizing the data.
Currier used a Korean WebToon style format because he felt it would resonate with a younger audience, while still being fun for a general viewership. The imagery in Satori was created entirely with DALL-E and ChatGPT-4.
“I experimented with Midjourney and several other generative AI tools, but had too much time invested in the DALL-E to consider switching tools,” he said. “A major challenge was maintaining a consistent 'look' to Satori throughout 14 episodes. It’s a well-known problem in generative AI and I used several techniques to accomplish that. Making the video allowed me to expand my skills in content creation using AI tools, while creating a tool that will help teachers and others explain the data behind ocean observing.”
Currier premiered the video during GOMCON 2024, showcasing several episodes during the Tools Café.
“Bob really did an amazing job capturing the important role that data scientists play in ocean observing and explaining exactly how they process data so that it is useful and can be relied upon by researchers and decision makers for every-day, real-world applications,” said Dr. Jorge Brenner, GCOOS Executive Director.
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Click the video to watch “Satori and the Mystery of the Dirty Data”
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Then, visit our website to take the quiz and see how your data expertise grew!
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The next webinar in the UGOS webinar series led by early career researchers Dr. Luna Hiron (Florida State University), Dr. Sakib Mahmud (Texas A&M University) and Dr. Aryan Safaie (University of Rhode Island) is scheduled for March 25.
- Ilkyeong Ma, Ph.D. student at Florida State University, will discuss the "Impact of Bottom Drag on Gulf of Mexico Loop Current Eddy Shedding."
- Dr. Ehab Meselhe, Professor in the Department of River-Coastal Science and Engineering at Tulane University, will discuss "Development and Application of a Regional Ecosystem Management System."
The Understanding Gulf Ocean Systems (UGOS) initiative is designed to advance understanding and prediction of Loop Current dynamics to reduce risks to offshore energy exploration and production, improve hurricane intensity forecasting, support fisheries management and deal with other challenges such as sea-level rise. The webinar series is focused on UGOS-funded work and related research.
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NHABON Webinar: Sargassum | |
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The next webinar in the National HAB Observing Network Series will focus on “Observing Needs for Tracking and Responding to Sargassum.” It will look at observing needs, current efforts and socioeconomic impacts to communities.
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Gulf Seagrasses Retreating Amid Sea Level Rise | |
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From ECO Magazine: The Gulf of Mexico is experiencing sea level rise two to three times as fast as the global average due to a combination of warmer waters and wind circulation patterns.
Now, a newly released long-term study from marine scientists at the University of Texas at Austin has found rising sea levels can be linked to a loss of valuable seagrass habitats in Texas.
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Read the story
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Read the paper in Communications Earth & Environment
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MDEQ Restoration Plan Public Comment | |
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The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality is accepting public comments on the state’s Multiyear Implementation Plan Amendment #7 (MIP) and the 2023 Mississippi State Expenditure Plan (MSEP), in accordance with the RESTORE Act.
Comments must be received by Monday, March 18.
- Click here to review the MIP plan
- Send comments via email to restore@mdeq.ms.gov
- Send comments via mail Attn: Melanie Green, 515 East Amite St., Jackson, MS 39201
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Submit comments via response form here
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Healthy Ecosystems & Living Resources | |
Restore America’s Estuaries — Summit | |
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Restore America’s Estuaries will host the 2024 Coastal & Estuarine Summit for coastal restoration policymakers, practitioners and managers in the United States. The Summit will explore the latest research, policy and practice in coastal restoration, with a focus on the future of restoration practice.
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When: Oct. 6-10
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Where: Washington, D.C. region
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Registration: Opens April 15
- Details
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Restoring Oysters in the Gulf | |
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NOAA’s Office of Habitat Conservation has awarded $5 million to restore america’s estuaries through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act. This project will restore oyster reef habitats in Louisiana, Florida, Alabama and Texas and allow project partners to:
- Expand oyster recycling efforts and community outreach at five established programs;
- Build new oyster reefs and living shorelines;
- Establish new oyster recycling programs in the Gulf
- Support a learning exchange between regional oyster recycling programs;
- Engage more diverse, under-resourced communities in restoration work.
- Read more
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National Aquaculture Strategic Plan | |
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The National Science and Technology Council, Subcommittee on Aquaculture, is soliciting comments on the draft overview of the National Aquaculture Development Plan — the first strategic aquaculture plan developed since 1983. The Plan is designed to strengthen U.S. commitment to food security, climate resilience and the protection of threatened and endangered marine and freshwater species.
Members of the public are invited to comment on the plan through April 5.
- Click here for more information and details on submitting comments
- Click here to review the draft plan
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Harte Research Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies (HRI)
Latest Edition of The HRI Current
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The latest email edition of The HRI Current includes an upcoming oyster restoration event at Goose Island State Park, Nurdle Patrol kits for teachers, the HRI lecture series and more.
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Beachcombing Hits the Airwaves | |
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“Beachcombing,” a popular social media video series led by Jace Tunnell, HRI’s Director for Community Engagement, is expanding with a new show, “Beachcombing Beach Report,” in partnership with KEDT-FM 90.3 radio in South Texas. The program will give beach conditions for the upcoming weekend and interesting facts about things present on Texas beaches.
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Listen in: The program will air at 4:04 p.m. CT and 5:04 p.m. CT on Thursdays.
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NOAA
New Podcast: Planet NOAA
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NOAA has launched a new podcast “Planet NOAA: From sun to sea and everything in between” focused on NOAA’s impacts. In the first episode, host Symone Barkley unpacks the 2023 Arctic Report Card, visits with NOAA Administrator Dr. Rick Spinrad and catches up on NOAA in the News.
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The next total solar eclipse is happening on April 8, and NOAA and NASA have some great tools that will help you have the best viewing.
Those in the western Gulf will have better views than the eastern Gulf.
Don’t miss out — the next total solar eclipse won’t occur until March 2033 and will only be viewable in Alaska!
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- IOOS: Program Analyst, Physical Scientist, IT Specialist
- Board on Gulf Education and Engagement: Program Officer
- Mote Marine Laboratory
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The University of Southern Mississippi: Associate Marine Instrumentation Specialist
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The University of Miami (RSMAS): Tenure or Tenure-Track Professor
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GOOS Biology: Data Manager
Postdoctoral Positions:
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National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration: National Centers for Coastal Ocean Sciences, NRC Research Programs
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Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute: Postdoctoral Fellowship
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National Research Council: Research Associateship Programs Postdoctoral and Senior Research Awards
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Mississippi State University: Postdoctoral Associate
Fellowships:
- Susan L. Williams National Coral Reef Management Fellowship
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National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration - Coastal Management Fellowship
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National Academies of Science, Engineering and Mathematics: Early Career Fellowships
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Department of Defense: Visualization of Coastal Data, Coastal Vulnerability Assessment Fellow
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- National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine - Gulf Research Program
- The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine – Early Career Research Fellowship
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – Sea Grant
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - TNOAA Planet Stewards
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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - FY 2024 National Aquaculture Initiative Initiative
- US Department of Agriculture - Special Research Grants Program Aquaculture Research
- Gulf of Mexico Alliance
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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 on-demand information about the Gulf’s coastal and open ocean waters that is accurate, reliable and benefits people, ecosystems and the economy. | |
Dr. Jorge Brenner, Executive Director • Dr. Barbara Kirkpatrick, Senior Advisor • Dr. Uchenna Nwankwo, Oceanographer • Dr. Chris Simoniello, Outreach & Education Manager • Felimon Gayanilo, Systems Architect, Co-Data Manager • Bob Currier, Product Developer, Co-Data Manager • Tuomo Saari, Scientific Computing Specialist • Jennifer Vreeland-Dawson, Program Coordinator • Megan Howson, Marine Mammal Biologist and Data Scientist • Grant Craig, Project Manager and HABscope Volunteer Coordinator • Nadine Slimak, Public Relations & Content Marketing, Vetted Communications, LLC • Laura Caldwell, Program Assistant | |
In Memoriam: Matt Howard, 1952-2018
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