1. SECOORA Operations Plan Starting Contributions

2. Definition - Operational The Operational System routinely, reliably, and repeatedly provides data and data products in forms and at rates specified by user groups. This stage is improved through the incorporation of assets that are successful in a pre-operational mode. Decisions to incorporate new or additional capabilities into the operational system must be approved by the body (e.g., federal agency or RA) that is to be responsible for operating and maintaining that capability. Successful pre-operational projects may be considered for operational IOOS status upon meeting all of the following requirements:

3. Definition – Operational Provision of (1) data and information required by the global module of the Global Ocean Observing system (GOOS) or by one or more RAs; or (2) new or better products that enable one or more of the seven goals to be achieved more effectively or more efficiently; Data are quality controlled and managed in compliance with Ocean.US DMAC standards and protocols; Data and products are delivered on schedule according to predetermined deadlines; There are dedicated staff responsible for acquisition and quality control of data and dissemination of products; Methods are affordable and efficient; Expected benefits are realized on a predetermined time schedule; and The institution or organization that will operate the asset has a clearly identified strategy for sustained funding.

4. Observations & Data Transmission Objectives: Operational Capability Regional Coverage = near shore, inner shelf, out to shelf break (national backbone to cover beyond shelf break) ‏ Configuration to adequately cover ocean circulation dynamics Additional sub-regional configurations to address local dynamics and priority user needs Provide model validation Provide testbeds for new biological and chemical sensors

5. Observations & Data Transmission Related Issues: Telemetry/communications Sensor robustness Maintenance, shiptime Prioritization criteria & process Research to operations transitions

6. Data Management & Communication Objectives: Operational Capability Distributed Systems Data Aggregation Data Standards/Metadata/QA/QC Data Transport Protocols Archiving Incorporation of biological and chemical data into the IM data management structure. Processes and protocols to integrate real-time observing data with the large assemblage of data that have been collected through other programs (e.g. NERRS, EPA).

7. Data Management & Communication Related Issues: Robustness (redundancy/backup) ‏ Prioritization criteria and process Relationship to other regional/national systems & DMAC

8. Modeling & Forecasting Objectives: Operational Capability – establishment of a regional ops center (distributed, virtual?) ‏ Operational coastal ocean data assimilation and lessons learned from CODAE Short-term (3 – 5 day) operational coastal ocean circulation forecast model(s) w/synoptic winds, tides, etc. Models – surface waves, mesoscale met, nested estuarine, etc. Ecosystem, sediment transport, and biogeochemical models Sustained R&D program for modeling upgrades

9. Modeling & Forecasting Related Issues: Robustness Coordination with national backbone models Prioritization criteria and process Sub-regional v. regional models Model archives Skill assessment Research from pre-ops to operations transitions

10. Data Analysis & Products Facilitating safe and efficient marine operations Mitigating natural hazards Detecting and forecasting oceanic components of climate variability Ensuring public health Ensuring national security Managing resources for sustainable use Preserving and restoring healthy marine ecosystems Hazards Conditions, Weather, Climate, Events Ecosystems Environment, Habitat, Living, Health, Societal Weather & Climate Coastal Recreation Disaster Response Public Health Recreational Boating Commercial Shipping Education Port Operations Commercial Fishing Industrial Energy Marine Industries Insurance/Finance Coastal Resource Management Homeland Security Military Etc… Ocean Processes State of the Science

11. Regional Ocean Observing Information Delivery Framework Ocean Processes Portal Ocean Hazards Portal Ocean Ecosystem Portal Education Capacity Building State-of-the- Science Marine Weather State-of-the- Coastal Ocean K-16 Free Choice Brokering/Lever aging Public Awareness User Training Hazards Applications Resource Applications Search &RescueStorm SurgeRip CurrentsOil SpillResponsePort SafetyStorm ErosionFisheryRecruitmentToxic BloomsRestorationBeach ClosuresSediment Mgt.AquacultureResearchPrivate SectorPilot ProjectsCommonMessagesUser MarketingInteractionsScientificGulf StreamDynamicsLoop CurrentClimate ChangeVariabilityEcosystemDynamicsSensingTechnologiesModelingTechnologiesOcean DataNWS AdvisoriesClimatologiesBaselineInformationResourceInventoriesClimatologiesTechnicalCurriculaTeacher TrainingInformationProductsMuseums/AquariaMPAsInformalMet DataMonitoringInformation Workforce TechnologyTransferScientificNon-TraditionalTechnicalData AssimilationAir-Sea FluxesWave Dynamics

12. Data Analysis & Products Objectives: Regional assets inventory for ocean observations Ocean Processes Portal for user access to data and information in the context of the coastal ocean dynamics and processes Ocean Hazards Portal for user access to data and information in the context of ocean weather, hazards and emergency management Ocean Ecosystem Portal for user access to data and information in the context of ecosystem and resource management applications Partnerships with value-added product developers to meet targeted user needs through existing public and private sector networks

13. Data Analysis & Products Related Issues Designed from user perspectives Private sector roles Incorporation/linkages of other data sources

14. Regional Ocean Observing Information Delivery Framework Ocean Processes Portal Ocean Hazards Portal Ocean Ecosystem Portal Education Capacity Building State-of-the- Science Marine Weather State-of-the- Coastal Ocean K-16 Free Choice Brokering/Lever aging Public Awareness User Training Hazards Applications Resource Applications Search &RescueStorm SurgeRip CurrentsOil SpillResponsePort SafetyStorm ErosionFisheryRecruitmentToxic BloomsRestorationBeach ClosuresSediment Mgt.AquacultureResearchPrivate SectorPilot ProjectsCommonMessagesUser MarketingInteractionsScientificGulf StreamDynamicsLoop CurrentClimate ChangeVariabilityEcosystemDynamicsSensingTechnologiesModelingTechnologiesOcean DataNWS AdvisoriesClimatologiesBaselineInformationResourceInventoriesClimatologiesTechnicalCurriculaTeacher TrainingInformationProductsMuseums/AquariaMPAsInformalMet DataMonitoringInformation Workforce TechnologyTransferScientificNon-TraditionalTechnicalData AssimilationAir-Sea FluxesWave Dynamics

15. Outreach Objectives: Develop and deliver programs designed to make use of COOS information in formal and informal educational settings. Address education and training needs to prepare future IOOS workforce Develop and implement strategic public awareness programs linking observing system to societal goals Capacity building programs to help meet the needs of regional users

16. Outreach Related Issues: Leveraging partnerships National coordination Common themes and messages Expanding IOOS workforce definition (beyond research community) ‏

17. Research and Development Objectives: Observing system and subsystem design/engineering research Instrumentation development and assessment including biogeochemical Air/sea interactions Model predictive capabilities – physical, living marine resources, etc. Observing system simulation experiments Sociological/ecological research opportunities

18. Research and Development Related Issues: Prioritization criteria and process Research to operations transition issues Linkages to multiple marine/ocean sciences research areas