1. 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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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.