1. Identifying User Requirements: Some Future Workshops Worth Nowlin 25-26 February 2009 Orlando, FL Building the GCOOS

2. Ecosystem Modeling Workshop The Caribbean Regional Association, Gulf of Mexico Alliance, GCOOS, and SECOORA have agreed to co-sponsor a regional Ecosystem Modeling Workshop. The proposed Workshop Objectives are: – To review ecosystem modeling activities underway in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea and southeastern U.S. coastal waters, including estuaries and bays – To give expert opinions regarding future advances in ecosystem modeling (Experts will be invited) – To identify and prioritize marine measurements and products needed by ecosystem modelers

3. Ecosystem Modeling Workshop 2 The Deliverables at the end of the workshop are: – A summary of ecosystem modeling activities in the region of interest – A list of ecosystem modelers active in this region – Prioritized list of required measurements and products – Suggested pilot projects to advance the development of ecosystem modeling

4. Ecosystem Modeling Workshop 3 The following have agreed to serve on the Workshop Organizing Committee: Laurent Cherubin, RSMAS, Univ. Miami Nasseer Idrisi, University of Virgin Islands Gil Rowe, TAMU Galveston Ruoying He, North Carolina State University Robert Hetland, TAMU Paul Montagna, TAMU Corpus Christi Worth Nowlin, GCOOS Six other candidates for this committee were suggested by one or more of the co-sponsors, but have not responded to messages regarding their interest.

5. Ecosystem Modeling Workshop 4 An initial list of potential invitees has been assembled. We have an invitation to hold the workshop in the Virgin Islands. The Organizing Committee will move ahead with this workshop.

6. Other Planned Workshops The GCOOS Marine Transportation Workshop will focus on requirements of the marine transportation sector for improved ocean measurements and products. Transportation elements to be invited to participate include representatives from tankers, container ships, cruise ships, shipping agents, port authorities, pilots, LNG carriers, inter-coastal waterway commercial traffic, and commercial transportation of people. This will be held during 2009. A stakeholder workshop for urban planners and developers will be held but planning has been postponed pending some indication of improvement in commercial development.