Summit on Long-Term Monitoring of the Gulf of Mexico Hypoxic Zone Setting the Context William Corso Deputy Assistant Administrator National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Ocean Service NOAA is pleased to sponsor this important meeting. NOAA has had a long-term interest in the Northern Gulf of Mexico hypoxic zone issue, both in terms of advancing the understanding of its causes and impacts, and facilitating management of the issue. January 30, 2007

Why we are here? To develop an implementation plan That achieves a comprehensive, integrative, sustainable monitoring program for the Gulf hypoxic zone Including available mechanisms for long-term funding This Summit presents an exciting opportunity to link and extend monitoring efforts within and outside the hypoxic zone, and advance toward the Gulf-wide Observation System that is the vision of IOOS and GCOOS. The success of this effort will depend on specific commitments and plans for long-term fiscal support. We have gathered key representatives with responsibilities and resources for monitoring environmental conditions in the Gulf of Mexico. Our goal at the end of tomorrow is to develop a plan that identifies long-lasting partnerships that align existing assets into a long-term observation system that addresses hypoxia-related needs.

Gulf Observation System: IOOS Cooperative Institute NCDDC NMFS NDBC NRL NASA USGS USACE EPA Gulf of Mexico Program Gulf Alliance Member State Agencies Universities GCOOS CZM WAVCIS CENGOOS NWLON LUMCON TAMU COMPS NDBC TCOON NGOMEX EPA TABS SEAMAP We have an opportunity to apply this data integration framework to characterizing the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem with the vision to greatly improve management of the hypoxic zone. In red are some of the buoy systems monitoring the Gulf of Mexico; in blue are cruise monitoring surveys. At the right are institutions and programs responsible for Gulf monitoring. Key representatives from all of these groups are at the Summit, and this is a unique opportunity to develop an integrative comprehensive Gulf Observation System. The key to achieving this goal is getting the buy-in from partners, both in coordinating and extending the applications of existing resources but also directing future resources to ensure development and sustenance of the Observation System.

NOAA’s Characteristics of EAM An ecosystem approach to management: Collaborative Adaptive Incremental Geographically Specific Accounts for ecosystem knowledge and uncertainty Considers multiple external factors Strives to balance diverse societal objectives An EAM is management that is …. Collaborative= stakeholders and scientific agencies voluntarily and jointly strategize solutions to ecosystem issues. Stakeholders retain current decision making authority within the context of joint strategies. Adaptive= collaboratively developed management strategies that are tailored to unique conditions and issues in each ecosystem and or each sub ecoregion -- monitored for success and failures and adapted to achieve desired results Incremental= EAM gradually evolves as ecosystem information, understanding and comfort and with collaborative strategic goals and objectives improve. Uncertainty is accounted for in decision making Top: Wetland flood plain along Missouri River (USGS photo) Bottom: Mississippi River near New Orleans (NOAA photo)

Elements of GoM Hypoxia NOAA has a long history of supporting ecosystem-based research in the Gulf, which has provided a solid baseline. This is of course a dynamic system, and it is also important to understand the incremental and cumulative impacts of multiple external factors. The regional ecosystem management approach requires data integration from multiple sources. It is a challenge that IOOS was established to undertake. Right: Artist depiction of the GoM and the various factors/activities included in the ecosystem

IOOS: Sustained, Integrated, End–to–End System Data Telemetry Data Management & Communications Modeling & Analysis Data & Information Applications Observations Satellites Maritime Navigational Services Aircraft Metadata standards Data discovery Data transport Online browse Data archival Search & Rescue Coastal Flooding & Erosion Fixed Platforms DMAC Beach Closures Ships Addressing NOAA Societal Goals requires an "integrated“ observing system that : Efficiently links observations, data communications and management, and data analysis and modeling (to form an "end-to-end" system); Provides rapid access to multi-disciplinary data from many sources; Serves data and information required to achieve multiple goals that historically have been the domain of separate agencies, offices or programs; Efficiently links advances in science and technology to the development of operational capabilities; and Involves cross-cutting partnerships among federal and state agencies, the private sector, and academic institutions. Water Management Drifters & Floats Management of Nutrient Loading AUVs Fisheries Management

Improve our collective management of the hypoxia phenomenon Outcome Improve our collective management of the hypoxia phenomenon The bottom line reason for developing this implementation plan from a NOAA perspective is to improve management capabilities of the hypoxia issue. Mitigation of the Gulf hypoxia problem requires a collaborative, holistic approach and is a perfect example of the need for an ecosystem approach to management. I will talk about how NOAA’s EAM strategy applies to Gulf of Mexico hypoxia.