Gulf of Mexico Region (GCOOS)

The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS) includes the coastal states from Florida to Texas.

 

Priorities

GCOOS is being developed as a sustained observing system that will provide data, information, and products on marine and estuarine systems of the Gulf to a wide range of users. The GCOOS RA, established in January 2005, is working to provide observations and products needed by users in this region for:

• 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.

The Board of Directors for the GCOOS established the following priorities for their activities:

• Maintain RA governance and stakeholder engagement, including interactions with IOOS partners, the Gulf of Mexico Alliance, and the Mexico/U.S. Gulf of Mexico Large Marine Ecosystem project;
• Maintain data management and data/products portal capability;
• Maintain outreach and education capability;
• Maintain the flow of real-time data, currently being provided by non-federal entities (local data nodes) into the IOOS data stream;
• Add new, non-federal real-time data providers willing to provide their data and provide support to help them meet IOOS standards;
• Provide support for key regional real-time observation systems, including the High-Frequency Radar network, Water Level Monitoring Network, Harmful Algal Bloom Integrated Observing System, and Hypoxia Monitoring System; and
• Perform other enhancements when possible.

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News from the Region

New Website Eases Information Access for Stakeholders in the Gulf of Mexico

A new website provides the one-stop shop information requested by boaters and fishermen in U.S. Gulf of Mexico waters:

The Gulf Coast Ocean Observing System (GCOOS), a regional entity of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), repackaged real-time data into a website that includes seven-day oceanographic and meteorological conditions and forecasts. The product concept emerged during stakeholder workshops targeting recreational boating and fishing communities. Incorporating information from GCOOS data providers and several NOAA Offices, the suite of information offered includes near real-time weather radar, satellite cloud coverage, sea surface and air temperature, wind speed and direction, surface current speed and direction, and water depth.  Users can select map layers to show nautical charts, marine hazard warnings, and habitat maps such as Essential Fish Habitat and Marine Protected Areas.

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Gulf of Mexico Region Region's Website

Gulf of Mexico Region Data Portal and Asset Viewer

The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS) has a number of online products that they have developed.  Among these are:

• The GCOOS Data Portal providing timely information about the environment of the of the Gulf of Mexico and its estuaries for use by decision-makers, including researchers, government managers, industry, the military, educators, emergency responders, and the general public.
• Information on the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
• Model products featuring wave and circulation forecasts
• Bathymetric data collections for the Gulf of Mexico region

 

Contact Information

Ann Jochens, Executive Director

U.S. IOOS Program Office Contacts:
Dave Easter, Regional Coordination

 

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Resources

Fact Sheet, 2012 (pdf)

One-Pager, 2011:
IOOS in Action: Gulf of Mexico Region (pdf)