Barbara Kirkpatrick On Behalf of the GCOOS Board

Barbara Kirkpatrick
On Behalf of the GCOOS Board
Why a GCOOS?
Detecting and predicting climate variability and
consequences,
Preserving and restoring healthy marine ecosystems,
Ensuring human health,
Managing resources,
Facilitating safe and efficient marine transportation,
Enhancing national security, and
Predicting and mitigating against coastal hazards.
Challenges in GoMex
HABs
Hypoxia
Hurricanes & storm surge
Search and Rescue
Oil spill
Safe marine operations (offshore O&G, commercial
nav, PORTS)
Sea level rise
The Shipping Industry
Six of top ten ports (tonnage) in US are in GoMex
Two of top ten busiest global ports (So LA, Houston)
Gulf ports account for 48% of total US ports
GCOOS Action
Development of Detailed Implementation Plan
Identification of ~ 16 elements to an OS
BOD mtg- December 2010 – Each BOD assigned ~2
elements to write in detail
Community input
March BOD mtg – presented detailed elements
April- small writing group to consolidate plan
Plan ready for ‘prime time’ Summer 2011
The Base Plan
Continued support of currently deployed assets
Fixed assets
Moorings in critical ‘blank’ spaces
HF radar
Beach Conditions Reporting System
Mobile Assets
AUV/glider fleet
Start up costs ~ $20-25 M
Annual costs ~ $16-20M
Jobs!
Mooring Transects, Gliders/AUV Tracks, HF Radar Sites
Ocean Observing in the Past
Ocean Observing in the Present
Ocean Observing in the Near Future