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Credit: PIRO4D, Pixabay |
PacIOOS Operations During COVID-19
In a global attempt to slow down the spread of COVID-19, PacIOOS has switched to teleworking and staggered schedules to actively participate in physical distancing. Our team is committed to serving our partners and stakeholders across the region with reliable coastal and ocean observing data, forecasts, tools, and services. We are doing everything we can to safely and responsibly fulfill our mission and vision, as we believe coastal and ocean information helps save lives and protects livelihoods and resources. During these uncertain times, our data help to keep marine transportation, port navigation, and other coastal activities safe and efficient in support of our communities.
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PacIOOS is interested to get your input for the next 5-year proposal. Credit: Chris Chabot |
Help Shape PacIOOS' Next 5-Year Proposal
In order to prepare for the next 5-year funding proposal to the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), PacIOOS is asking for your input to help further our Strategic Framework and to shape ocean observing in the Pacific Islands. In light of social distancing and associated travel restrictions, we are planning to reach out to our partners and stakeholders over the next few months via email, phone, and video conferencing to solicit input. If you have a project idea or proposal that you would like us to consider, please do not hesitate to contact us to discuss your suggestion.
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Are you using PacIOOS data? Please participate in our quick survey. Credit: Phil Welch |
How Valuable Are PacIOOS Data to You?
PacIOOS, all other IOOS Regional Associations, and the IOOS Association, are seeking your input to get a better understanding of the economic value that our data and products have to you, our users and stakeholders. In collaboration with the Center for the Blue Economy of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey, a survey has been posted on the PacIOOS website to collect your input. Please support us by participating in this quick survey -- it won't take you more than 5 minutes to fill out. Mahalo!
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PacIOOS Instruments and Tools
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With heavy equipment, staff from the City and County of Honolulu helped to move the buoy off the beach. |
Thanks to Partners: Stranded Wave Buoy Safely Recovered
On Prince Kuhio Day, PacIOOS' wave buoy off Mōkapu, Oʻahu, broke free from its mooring due to persistent, strong trade winds and associated windswell waves of over 12ft in height. Awaited by the PacIOOS team, the buoy washed ashore in the early morning hours at Kailua Beach. All PacIOOS wave buoys are equipped with GPS sensors, which allows us to track the buoys' locations. With the support of the members of the Aulea Swim Club, the 500lbs buoy was moved out of the surf zone to higher ground. The Site Manager for Kalama Beach Park from the City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation, and the team from the City and County of Honolulu Department of Facility Maintenance supported the recovery efforts by moving the buoy off the beach. Mahalo to our partners on the ground for supporting the recovery efforts, and many thanks to our partners at the Coastal Data Information Program (CDIP), who always keep an eye on our buoys.
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Surveys of reef fish were conducted in the Hawaiian and Mariana Archipelagos, American Samoa and the Pacific Remote Island Areas. Credit: NOAA/NMFS/PIFSC |
New Biological Dataset Added to OBIS
PacIOOS continues to make biological data sets widely accessible by aligning them to Darwin Core Standards and adding them to the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS). The most recent addition is a data set of Rapid Ecological Assessments of Fish Large-Area Stationary Point Count Surveys (SPC) at Coral Reef Sites across the Pacific Ocean from 2000 to 2007, collected by the Coral Reef Ecosystem Program of NOAA's Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center. The reef fish surveys were conducted in the Hawaiian and Mariana Archipelagos, American Samoa, and the Pacific Remote Island Areas to catalog the diversity (species richness), abundance (numeric density) and biomass (fish mass per unit area) of diurnally active reef fish assemblages in shallow-water (typically 10-15m, always less than 30m) hard-bottom habitats.
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New map functionalities were added under the Settings and when right-clicking. |
PacIOOS implemented new functionalities on its dynamic website maps that accompany observational data, such as the Hanalei Wave buoy, and maps showing PacIOOS forecasts, such as the wave forecast for Saipan and Tinian. Check out the Settings "wheel", where you can change map styles and toggle on and off various other layers and settings. When right-clicking into the map, users can e.g., Center here, Zoom in, Zoom out, Add marker, Search map, and choose between other options. Among other enhancements, hovering over the map now provides the lat/lon position of the cursor, and a full-screen view button is available in the top right corner.
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The annual Spring meeting brings together the IOOS Program Office, IOOS Association, and all Regional Associations. Credit: IOOSA |
IOOS Spring Meeting in Washington, D.C.
In early March, PacIOOS leadership participated in the annual U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Spring meeting at the beginning of March in Washington, D.C. The IOOS Program Office, IOOS Association, and Regional Associations, along with leadership from NOAA and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy discussed how to leverage opportunities to drive advances in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes observing, building upon regional priorities. PacIOOS also took this opportunity to meet with congressional staffers from the Pacific Islands region to share the latest updates and achievements.
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Participants from the Pacific Islands region came together for the annual PRiMO conference. Credit: OCM/NOAA |
Pacific Risk Management ʻOhana Meeting
At the beginning of March, the Pacific Risk Management ʻOhana (PRiMO) came together for its annual conference in Honolulu. With slightly lower attendance due to early travel restrictions, an impressive lineup of keynote speakers, including Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Deputy NOAA Administrator, Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet, as well as Deputy Prime Minister of Samoa, The Honorable Fiame Naomi Mata'afa, shared their perspectives with the audience. PacIOOS participated in the conference to learn about ongoing initiatives, network with partners, and to share an update of the development of PacIOOS' high resolution wave run-up forecast for West Maui.
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