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Island of Pohnpei, Federated States of Micronesia. Credit: Ru Morrison |
Seeking Your Input: PacIOOS 5-year Proposal
PacIOOS is soliciting feedback from you, our partners, stakeholders, and users to inform our 5-year funding proposal (2021-2026) to the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), as well as a 10-year Outlook. We encourage you to weigh in and share your thoughts on coastal and ocean observing needs, priorities, and potential collaborations. While we may not be able to address all suggestions, this is a great opportunity to help shape PacIOOS' future directions and help further our Strategic Framework. Input can be provided via this simple survey, or via email to [email protected]. To learn about our current thematic areas and for more information, please visit pacioos.org/5-year-proposal.
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Model domain and snapshot of simulated near-surface chlorophyll and currents. |
New Comprehensive Ecosystem Model for Hawaiʻi
The PacIOOS ocean modeling team, led by co-investigator Professor Brian Powell, has recently developed a comprehensive ecosystem model that captures the physical and chemical dynamics of the ocean, as well as the base of the food web around Hawaiʻi. Combining the existing PacIOOS Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) with NOAA's Carbon, Ocean Biogeochemistry and Lower Trophics (COBALT) model, allows for a seamless integration of physical and biogeochemical parameters. The goal is to incorporate the ecosystem output into PacIOOS's daily ocean modeling forecasts; and to seek funding to produce long-term estimates that examine the impacts of continued warming on fisheries and ocean acidification around Hawaiʻi. Initial model results for the time period 2010-2017 have shown that the availability of light is the most significant driver in the seasonal cycle of organisms around Hawaiʻi. Find out more about the model.
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50-m transects were used in the surveys to measure fishes, corals, and other benthic assemblages. Credit: Simon Ellis. |
Fish, Invertebrate, and Benthic Data from Micronesia
In collaboration with Dr. Peter Houk from the University of Guam, PacIOOS supported efforts to align coral reef monitoring data from Micronesia with Darwin Core Standards, and make them available through the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS). Three data sets can be accessed through OBIS: (1) fish; (2) invertebrate; and (3) benthic substrate. Spanning from September 2009 to September 2015, surveys were conducted at different sites in Micronesia, including Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae in the Federated States of Micronesia, as well as Majuro in the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The data were collected as part of the ongoing Micronesia Challenge to establish a shared, standardized monitoring program.
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University of Hawaiʻi Board of Regents Service Award
PacIOOS data management lead, Jim Potemra, was honored with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Presidential Award for Outstanding Service. The award recognizes Jim's outstanding service, heart-felt dedication, and sustained contributions addressing key challenges and developing programs in physical oceanography data application at national and international levels. Apart from Jim's co-investigator role at PacIOOS, he also serves as co-principal investigator for the Hawaiʻi Ocean Time Series and the Aloha Cabled Observatory programs; is a teaching faculty at the Hawaiʻi Institute of Geophysics and Planetology; manages the Asia-Pacific Data Research Center; and maintains the Pacific ENSO Applications Center. Mahalo for your hard work and congratulations to this well-deserved award, Jim!
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Node with associated instruments at Kilo Nalu Nearshore Observatory. Credit: Bruce Howe |
Kilo Nalu Nearshore Reef Observatory Data
Real-time data plots from the Kilo Nalu Nearshore Observatory are now accessible through PacIOOS Voyager's "Ocean Observatories" category. The shallow water cabled ocean sensor network off Kakaʻako Park west of Waikīkī, Oʻahu, was reinstalled last month and is now collecting observations of wave parameters, water properties, and ocean currents. The observatory is led by the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology Department of Ocean and Resources Engineering (ORE) and supported by PacIOOS, the Hawaiʻi Natural Energy Institute (HNEI), and the Applied Research Laboratory at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa. PacIOOS' operational wave forecast was utilized in conjunction with the Pearl Harbor wave buoy data to determine a timeframe for safe deployment conditions.
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Pantropical spotted dolphins in Hawaiʻi. Credit: Robin W. Baird/ Cascadia Research |
New Dolphin and Whale Sightings Added
562 new marine mammal sightings are now available through PacIOOS Voyager. Observations were collected around the Hawaiian Islands by Robin Baird and his team from Cascadia Research Collective between February 2013 and November 2018. The data set includes 7 dolphin species (bottlenose, Fraser's, pantropical spotted, Risso's, rough-toothed, spinner, and striped) and 13 whale species (Blainville's beaked, Cuvier's beaked, dwarf sperm, false killer, fin, humpback, killer, Kogia, melon-headed, pygmy killer, pygmy sperm, short-finned pilot, and sperm).
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The Ocean Enterprise Study 2020
Your business counts! The U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) and NOAA are requesting the help of businesses who provide infrastructure or products that support or conduct ocean observation and measurement by participating in the Ocean Enterprise Study 2020. This study provides an update to the 2015 study and will help inform the U.S. Department of Commerce about the currently changing needs of the Ocean Enterprise sector. A full report will be published later in 2020. IOOS invites your organization to contribute to this research though participation in an online survey. Click here to find out more or to take the survey!
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Floating dredge plant to be used at Honolulu Harbor. Credit: weeksmarine.com |
Wave Hindcasts Inform Harbor Dredging
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Honolulu District utilized the Pacific Waves and Water Levels Project Report to inform the upcoming maintenance dredging at Honolulu Harbor. Spearheaded by PacIOOS wave modeler Ning Li, the report allowed for the development of operational limitations through nearshore wave hindcasts. The floating dredge plant can only safely and effectively operate in the entrance channel below certain wave and wind thresholds. Maintenance dredging operations involve the repetitive removal of naturally recurring deposited bottom sediment such as sand, silt, and clays in an existing navigation channel. Periodic maintenance dredging as well as occasional enlarging and deepening of navigation channels is essential to keep it clear and safe for navigation.
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