 |
| Printer Friendly |
Regional Associations
Representing local priorities for ocean observing
Regional Associations (RAs) of coastal ocean observing systems will be an important component of the entire IOOS. Nascent Regional Associations are now forming to become the entities that will establish, operate, and improve Regional Coastal Ocean Observing Systems (RCOOSs). An RCOOS is a system that provides data, information, and products on marine and estuarine systems important to the user groups (stakeholders) in the region. Currently, there are 11 groups funded by grants from NOAA to form nascent RAs. Their members include representatives from federal, state, and local agencies, private sectors, non-governmental organizations, tribes and academia.
Linking user needs to ocean observation systems
Establishing Regional Associations (RAs) and the Regional Coastal Ocean Observing Systems (RCOOSs) they operate is critical for engaging user groups from both private and public sectors in order to identify regional data and information needs. For instance, emergency management officials, coastal planners, and modelers, as well as insurance and industry representatives should be involved in the specification of RCOOS elements that will aid in mitigating the effects of natural disasters. Through their participation and input, ocean observations can be expanded and modernized to meet the requirements of their everyday work.
Coastal planning and emergency management are not the only activities in which RAs will be involved. Many of their activities will benefit from ocean observations, such as maritime safety, port security, and protecting the health of local marine resources and the region&undefined;s population. Within these activities, there are also many areas where the RAs will contribute:
- Data and Information Management - This is the primary integrating mechanism for the entire IOOS. Representatives from each nascent RA are members of the Data Management and Communications (DMAC) team and are working to develop the DMAC process nationally and regionally.
- Modeling - Models with the same purpose can vary from region to region. Neighboring regional groups are creating a process to share models across disciplines and regions in an effort to test transferability.
- Applications and Products - Managers and the public need products that can be used in their daily work. RAs will ensure that developers understand the need for such products or will create the products themselves.
- Observations - The nascent RAs are already working towards building an RCOOS that will supply the data and information needed by their stakeholders while also providing data useful nationally.
- Interoperability - Systems are deemed interoperable when they are able to exchange and effectively use the information collected by other systems. The RAs will be a vehicle in implementing the sharing and using of information between the RCOOSs.
- Performance Measures - Each observing system must meet established standards and protocols. RAs will work to ensure their RCOOSs satisfy the IOOS design principles and meet all DMAC requirements. In addition, the RAs themselves will be evaluated on governance and management.
- Public awareness and Access - It is not enough to only collect data and turn it into useful information. RAs must provide easy access to both the data and the information needed by their stakeholders. Their websites become an important, one-stop portal that provides an access point for the region&undefined;s stakeholders.
- Education - Many members of the nascent RAs are involved in various educational actvities related to IOOS, from ocean science and technology education for students, to promoting the expansion of the workforce needed to support IOOS. When formally established, the RAs will be a critical asset in promoting ocean education.
