Dr. William (Monty) Graham The University of Southern Mississippi Department of Marine Science Stennis Space Center, Mississippi GCOOS Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System

GCOOS and partners have observed and monitored the Gulf for a decade GCOOS long-term strategic plan for observations and monitoring GCOOS and plan were tested in DWH response Looking for collaborative opportunities to maintain and build on the strong foundation Overview TABS Buoy image Courtesy of TAMU GERG

Integrating Gulf Observations GCOOS Data Portal

GCOOS Value to DWH Oil Spill Response IOOS Glider Fleet Response – Image from Rutgers HFR Coverage Near DWH – Currents

Data Assimilation from GCOOS Assets US DOC | NOAA | NOS | NOAA Office of Response & RestorationCoastal Response Research Center Comments: University of New Hampshire

Additional moorings in Eastern Gulf and at cross-shelf transects at the 10-, 50-, 100-, 200-m isobaths Complete Gulf-wide HFR network for currents, trajectories, directing responders ADCP or other subsurface current data of Loop Current and in Eastern Gulf (Image of existing oil and gas industry ADCPs courtesy of NOAA NDBC) Additional profiling AUVs providing salinity-temperature-hydrocarbon data DWH Lessons Learned – Focused Needs

GOM Observing System Plan Gulfwide HFR Network Moorings and AUV tracks Hypoxia and Harmful Algae

Stakeholder Driven Supports Ocean/Met Forecast and Predictions Support Long-Term Restoration through ecosystem monitoring –Expanded Water Quality –Expanded HAB Observing –Expanded Hypoxia Monitoring –Living Marine Resources (Fisheries, Marine Mammals, Sea Turtles, Plankton, Seabirds) –Habitat Change –Integrative Monitoring for Restoration Projects GOM Observing System Plan SWSS Image

9 WHO WILL FUND A GULF-WIDE OBSERVATION SYSTEM?

GCOOS and partners have a long history in, and for, the Gulf of Mexico Need expressed during Deepwater Horizon Maintain a long-term and evolving strategic plan for observations and monitoring Looking for collaborative opportunities to maintain and build on this strong Gulf foundation Leveraging opportunities with long-term Gulf restoration(?) Summary