The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has entered into five-year cooperative agreements with 11 federally certified Integrated Ocean Observing System regional associations to develop observing technologies that could be used to predict changes in ocean and climate, drive environmental stewardship and support coastal disaster preparation and response efforts.
NOAA said Tuesday it will allocate $41 million in funds to IOOS regional associations during the first year to support their work along U.S. national and territorial coasts and waters.
The awardees are the Alaska Ocean Observing System; Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System; Central and Northern California Ocean Observing System; Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System; Great Lakes Observing System; Mid-Atlantic Regional Association Coastal Ocean Observing System; Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Systems; Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems; Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System; Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System; and the Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association.
"More than 40% of the U.S. population lives along the coast, and even more rely on the ocean, coast, and Great Lakes for their livelihoods, weather, and services every day," said Carl Gouldman, director of NOAA’s U.S. IOOS office.
"The IOOS Regional Associations link on-the-ground needs to our national system, ensuring its flexibility, responsiveness, and diversity while coordinating a network of regional coastal observing systems,” added Gouldman.
