Progress Towards a Regional Coastal Ocean Observing System for the Southeast (SEACOOS)

Harvey Seim / University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of South CarolinaSkidaway Institute of Oceanography (Savannah, GA)

University of MiamiUniversity of South Florida

UNC System Office of the President (Project Coordination)

U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy

From the Executive Summary of the Preliminary Report:

“A strong commitment is needed to support and conduct high priority research and exploration, develop and enhance technology, create ocean science infrastructure and integrate data management facilities. One of the most important ways to fulfill this commitment is by implementing a national Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), based on a backbone of coordinated, interconnected U.S. regional ocean observing systems and linked to the international Global Ocean Observing System. The IOOS will substantially advance our ability to observe, monitor, and forecast ocean conditions…the IOOS will have invaluable economic, societal, and environmental benefits …it has been estimated that implementing IOOS will actually save the United States close to $1 billion a year through enhanced weather forecasts, improved resource management, and safer and more efficient marine transportation.”

SEACOOS was initiated in 2002 with ONR funding

to develop a coastal ocean information system

for FL, GA, SC and NC.

SEACOOS Over-Arching Goal: To significantly increase the quantity and quality of environmental information from the coastal ocean of the SE U.S. and facilitate its use in a wide range of societal, scientific, and educational applications.

SE region is linked oceanographically, experiences similar forcing (winds and river runoff) and has a shared biogeography. A merged information system for the region will help address scientific and societal issues.

Loop Current/Florida Current/Gulf Stream

An observing subsystem (measures and transmits data)

An information management subsystem(organizing and disseminating information)

A modeling and products subsystem (translating data intoproducts for users – computer modeling)

Outreach and education subsystem – to assess users needs, develop educational material and help develop needed products

SEA-COOS includes the coasts of NC, SC, GA and FL, from theEEZ to head of tide, and consists of:

Observing the Coastal Ocean in many ways, with varying tools

Modeling

coordinating model simulations for the entire region

Extension (SeaGrants) and Education (COSEEs)

Initially targeting “super-users” who need basic information and have established clientele

Search &rescue, spillresponse

Fisheries management

Developing on-line K-12 classroom activities

SEA-COOS Year 3 Goals (involves all working groups)

1) Coastal ocean response to weather – observation and modeling of the evolving fields of water level, currents, temperature, salinity, winds, and heat and precipitation flux from the atmosphere. Ongoing effort (from inception)

2) Surface waves – some pilot observations; seeking better definition of effort.

3) Fisheries – promoting information merger and sharing (largely physical fields) in support of those groups focused on measurement and assessment of fisheries stocks.

4) Biogeochemical indicators - Assembly of information on primary producers, including existing satellite remote sensing capabilities and existing in-situ bio-optics measurement programs.

5) GIS coastal databases – Inventory and assembly effort to support storm surge, surface wave, fisheries and bio-optics programs.

Proposed elements of a RCOOS(from Mar ’04 regional summit)

• Observations and Data Transmission – established operations center; responsible staff; backup plan

• Data Management and Communications – types of measurements; QA/QC protocols; archiving; standards.

• Linking Observations to Models – provide an adequate blend of tools to meet identified information needs.

• Data Analysis – to ensure quality of information provided.

• Research and Development – to foster next efforts.• Training - for operators and users…• System Performance – to evaluate operational

continuity, conduct gap analysis, assess user satisfaction