Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System Regional Association (GCOOS-RA)

1. Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System Regional Association(GCOOS-RA) 2009 Regional Coordination Workshop Seattle, WA August 25, 2009

2. Part 1: Project Status ReportMaintenance and Enhancement of the Gulf of Mexico Ocean Observing System Regional AssociationwithData Portal and Local Data Nodes ProjectsProject Investigators:Ann Jochens Matt Howard Worth NowlinSharon Walker Chris SimonielloProject Duration:RA Planning Grant: 3 years, currently funded through year 2 Data Portal: 3 years, currently funded through year 2Local Data Nodes: 3 years, currently funded through year 3

3. Project Status Report: Schedule & Milestones • GCOOS-RA Planning Project • Maintain and further develop the infrastructure of the RA itself • Identify & update regional and local stakeholder needs and priorities • Identify & maintain an inventory of observations and products from the region • Identify gaps in observations & products needed to meet stakeholder needs • Select/prepare projects to fill gaps & provide GCOOS enhancements • Conduct activities to strengthen regional involvement with IOOS DMAC • Coordinate and collaborate with other observing system entities • Data Portal Project • Launch & maintain professional-grade web-based public Data Portal • Serve data via community-standard DMAC-compliant systems • Add new data providers, data types, model output, and products • Develop E/O materials for GCOOS web/portal • Develop and launch leveraged ocean observing E/O kiosk exhibits (Gulf CELCs) • Develop and implement a formal Data Management Policy • Plan and develop a pre-operational Regional Operations Center • Local Data Nodes Project • Participate in IOOS Regional Observation Registry (in situ data & satellite images) • Develop common vocabulary (SECOORA data dictionary selected) • Serve near-real-time scalar, vector, and 1-yr of archived data • Serve selected latest and 1-yr of archived satellite images (ocean color and SST selected)

4. Project Status Report: Significant Accomplishments • GCOOS-RA Planning Project • Fully functioning governing body representing varied stakeholder groups • 200 individuals actively involved in RA governing bodies • Strong collaborations developing with the Gulf of Mexico Alliance • Initial integrated priorities established from 9 workshops + USCG-SAR + HSRP • Strong linkages formed by RA with observing systems & stakeholders • Data & product sharing concept more widely accepted (e.g., oil/gas industry) • E/O community educated on value of ocean observing systems; actively developing products to promote broad public ocean literacy • Data Portal Project • Fully functioning data portal entraining data, products, and model output • Becoming a tool for E/O community and GOMA • Local Data Nodes Project • Strong connections formed between the IT staffs of the GCOOS data nodes • Nodes with in situ data participating in the IOOS Regional Observation Registry • NOAA IOOS DIF version of the SOS/O&M software implemented at the Data Portal and many of the data nodes

5. Keys to Success: What Worked Well? • Strong linkage built with the Gulf of Mexico Alliance (State agencies of the 5 Gulf States) • Factors for success: Direct involvement of GCOOS personnel in GOMA Priority Issue Teams; direct contribution of GCOOS-RA to GOMA tasks of common interest • Development of a Gulf-wide Integrated Observing System for Monitoring Harmful Algal Blooms (Task still in progress) • Factors for success: Multiple workshops engaging full spectrum of HABs stakeholders (GOMA, public health, animal health, academic, NGOs, ACT); dedicated lead to move document preparation forward • Development of integrated stakeholder priorities • Factors for success: Multiple, focused stakeholder workshops & incorporation of stated priorities of other stakeholder groups

6. Keys to Success: What Worked Well? • Professional-grade Data Portal built with local data nodes engaged to solve interoperable problems before portal was completed. • Factors for success: Early exchange of information, modular technology, & outstanding portal programmer to implement • GCOOS EOC evaluations, recommendations, and product preparation leading to populate the E/O part of the Data Portal. • Factors for success: A full-time, dedicated E/O Coordinator and an enthusiastic volunteer EOC membership • Accurate obs registry for non-IOOS funded, voluntary data/product providers • Factors for success: Funding available for selected providers to use to stand-up data on an SOS server and for training IT staff in IOOS DMAC/DIF

7. Potential Challenges • Challenges to Sustaining a Vigorous GCOOS-RA • Maintaining the enthusiastic motivation of the existing GCOOS-RA volunteers • Increasing the number of stakeholders who participate in the GCOOS and its RA • Challenges to Building the GCOOS • Maintaining existing, multi-sourced assets in operational condition in the face of intense, damaging storms and fishing activities • Some data providers (or their sponsors) will not release their data freely or have not placed a high priority on participation in an RCOOS • Enhancing the observing system to fill gaps in data, products, and model results • Challenges to Integration and Interoperability of a Distributed Data Network • Work needed to establish a DMAC-compliant data system at each existing data node requires substantial resources and broad skill sets. • Sustaining the data systems and the personnel who run them • IT landscape is in flux, while the standards adoption process is slow and incomplete. This makes it difficult to build an end-to-end system serving the broad community. • Resolving challenges: • Promote a sense of community, sharing of ideas and solutions, identifying strengths and expertise • More effective engagement of the IWGOO agencies into RCOOS activities • More effective engagement of NOAA IOOS with regional state alliances • Conduct a professional economic benefit analysis for each RA

8. Current Status: Products “x” in boxes that best describe the kinds of products being developed by the GCOOS-RA for the focus areas. X = doing now; X = working towards; X = haven’t started yet, but planned

9. Current Status: Product Examples Identification of integrated stakeholder priorities from diverse groups improves understanding of the needs for ocean observations of the people of the United States of America and how to avoid duplication of resources Serving real-time data from many distinct observing system elements in an interoperable manner via GCOOS Data Portal improves access to data for diverse user needs Developing an Harmful Algal Bloom Integrated Observing System Implementation Plan for the entire Gulf of Mexico in concert with GOMA, state and federal agencies, researchers, and Mexican representatives

10. Current Status: Observations – Local Nodes Only

11. Current Status: Observations - All

12. Current Status: Modeling and DMAC subsystems * See guidelines for definitions **Regionwide = entire RA

13. Map 1a: Existing GCOOS-RA Observing Assets

14. Map 1a: Existing Observing Assets – Local Nodes Only Supported by other funds (non-NOAA IOOS) - operational Supported by other funds (non-NOAA IOOS) – non-operational

15. Map 1b: GCOOS-RA Leveraged Assets Supported by other funds (non-NOAA IOOS)

16. Part 2: Looking Forward: Future Plans Assuming $5 million of funding per year, please indicate what your future plans are for your RA. The $5 million should cover activities currently funded by the RA Planning Grants and the RCOOS.

17. Future Plans: Major Products X = similar as current; X = now doing; X = working towards; X = haven’t started yet, but planned

18. Future Plans: Observations Indicate the # of observations needed for your system

19. Future Plan: Modeling and DMAC * See Guidelines for definitions ** Region-wide means entire RA

20. Future Plans:Add HF Radar for Currents & Directional WavesAdd Moorings for Hypoxia + HABs

21. Funding Scenario Briefly describe the major CUTS to the subsystem under the reduced funding scenarios