Producing and Distributing Critical Data and Information on our Oceans, Coasts and Great Lakes |
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The Latest News from the Nation's Integrated Ocean Observing System Association |
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Senate Passes IOOS Reauthorization by Unanimous Consent |
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The Senate passed S. 914, the Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research Act of 2020, which reauthorizes the IOOS Program. We are thankful for the Senate's support and in particular the authorization levels that allow for a steady increase in funding to fill critical gaps and address stakeholder needs. The bill also authorizes the National Water Center in Tuscaloosa, AL.
The House already passed its version in a larger bill, but with the significant differences in the two bills, the most likely path to passage is if the House takes up the Senate version. We will be working with the House in the next few months in hopes of getting a final bill by the end of the 116th session.
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National Academies of Science Hosts Sustaining Ocean Observations Phase 2: Workshop |
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The National Academies of Science conducted Phase 2 of the Sustaining Ocean Observations activity with a virtual workshop that took place September 16 – 18, 2020. As a follow-up to the 2017 National Academies report, Sustaining Ocean Observations to Understand Future Changes in Earth's Climate, the workshop aimed to explore options for coordination and partnership among research institutions, federal agencies, the private sector, and others, as well as to determine how the community can overcome barriers and contribute to a strong collective impact through communication, governance, and funding. A report is expected to be published on the event website by the end of 2020.
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Dr. Ru Morrison Receives First Caraid Award |
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The IOOS Association is pleased to announce that the first recipient of the Caraid Award is Dr. Ru Morrison. |
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The Caraid Award is an annual award recognizing those who have made outstanding contributions to observing and understanding our oceans, coasts, and Great Lakes through vision, leadership, friendship, and collaboration. The word “Caraid1” is a Scottish Gaelic word, meaning “care" or "love” and is pronounced like “courage.” These are the attributes - caring and the courage to do what matters - that make IOOS work. Fittingly, Ru, a founding member of the Association, was chosen as the first recipient of the award. With his Scottish heritage and dedication to ocean observing, he inspired us to learn about Caraid, not only as a word, but also as an ethos he brings to all of his work.
Read the full story here.
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Ru Morrison at his Scottish home in North Uist. |
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Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) Observing Network Pilot Projects |
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Lake Erie HABs September 2017. Credit: NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory |
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In FY 20, Congress appropriated $1 million to pilot projects for a national HAB Observing Network (HABON). The five HAB pilot projects of FY 20 will provide a roadmap and lessons-learned for expanding into a sustained, national HAB network. The five projects receiving support include the Great Lakes (GLOS), the Gulf of Mexico (GCOOS), California (SCCOOS and CeNCOOS), the Pacific Northwest (NANOOS), and Alaska (AOOS). The goal of the HABON is to ensure that observations needed to support forecasts and warnings are sustained and that the nation has the information necessary to detect and respond to the growing threat of harmful algal blooms. For more information, click here.
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Hurricane Gliders Aid Forecasts |
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HURRICANE GLIDER PLAN FOR 2020
Orange lines show the planned paths of the 30 uncrewed gliders to travel this summer for hurricane intensity predictions. Credit: NOAA
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Over 30 gliders are now deployed off the coasts of Puerto Rico, the Gulf of Mexico, and the eastern United States this year to collect data and improve the ability to forecast the intensity of hurricanes, which is driven by the heat content of the ocean. The warmer the ocean water, the more intense storms will be. The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS), the Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System (CARICOOS), the Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA), and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Association Coastal Ocean Observing System (MARACOOS) partnered with NOAA and the Navy on this project. |
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Read the full story here.
For more information, please see:
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IOOS Regions Receive Over $40 Million to Support Observing Activities |
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NOAA’s U.S. IOOS Program Office has awarded over $40 million in grants to support ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes observing efforts on the 11 IOOS Regional Associations (RAs). The IOOS RAs serve the entire coastline of the United States and its territories, covering the Atlantic, Gulf, Caribbean, Pacific, and Great Lakes.
Each RA works with regional partners and stakeholders to understand needs to develop products that address those needs. These awards represent the final year of the five-year cooperative agreement and address a variety of national priorities that manifest differently in each region. The funds will address safe maritime operations, coastal hazards and extreme weather, flooding, ecology, fisheries and water quality, and long-term observations.
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Great Lakes: The Great Lakes Observing System's (GLOS) new robotic glider will travel miles underwater to collect data on organic matter, conductivity, oxygen content, and other data helpful in determining harmful algal blooms, hypoxia, and other events. Funds for the glider were provided by Congress as part of an effort to fill critical observing gaps. To watch a video and learn more, click here.
Southeast: Commercial fishermen are using Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association's (SECOORA) HF radar data to find fish. SECOORA Intern Natalie Murphy describes how Captain Dave Tilly uses sea surface current to develop models and better identify the Gulf Stream. For more information, click here.
Caribbean: NOAA's Ocean Acidification program is working with Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System's (CARICOOS) to understand the impacts of ocean acidification on corals, fish, and the ecosystem. To learn more, watch this video.
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October 13 - 15
October 19 - 24
October 27 - 30
November 18 - 19
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IOOS/DMAC Meeting (virtual)
SACNAS Conference
Members and Board Meeting (Please note: COL Industry Forum has been postponed, new date TBA)
NERACOOS Annual Meeting
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NOTICES
Funding Opportunities -
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MEET OUR REGIONAL ASSOCIATIONS |
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The IOOS Association is a nonprofit organization that supports the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (U.S. IOOS) and its mission to provide quality and timely information about our oceans, coasts and Great Lakes. The Association works with the 11 Regional Associations and 17 Federal partners to create a national network that meets the diverse needs of users across the nation and to educate the public about the system. |
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Executive Director
205 Oakledge Road
Harpswell, ME 04079
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