The ocean observing community lost a true leader recently with the passing of Dr. Ru Morrison, founding executive director of the Northeast Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems (NERACOOS), who died of brain cancer earlier this month. Ru had an amazing combination of a collaborative spirit and extensive knowledge of marine science and technology and we’re saddened by this loss. Ru inspired the IOOS Association to create the Caraid Award to recognize those who have made outstanding contributions to the ocean observing community; he was also its first recipient. IOOS is seeking nominations for the 2021 award and the deadline to submit is Dec. 11. Please see the details below.
I hope you are all weathering this unprecedented year of hurricane activity in the Gulf and Atlantic as well as can be expected amid an unprecedented pandemic year. With the late-blooming Eta, Iota and another disturbance brewing in the tropics, I’m afraid I may have spoken too soon last month as I wished for a quiet end to this year’s hurricane season. As always, please keep us posted on recovery and repair and know that your colleagues are standing by to help if needed.
On the positive side, the Florida Institute of Oceanography is welcoming a new director: Monty Graham. He’s a familiar face to us in the Gulf observing community, coming from the University of Southern Mississippi where he was a tenured professor and founding director of the School of Ocean Science and Engineering — which is today a key training ground for glider operators.
And, of course, I’d be remiss if I didn’t wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving! While this year has no doubt been challenging for us all, I hope I’m not speaking out of turn when I say that, at the very least, we can all be thankful that 2020 is almost over!
Until next month,
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The IOOS Association created the Caraid Award in 2020 as an annual award to recognize those who have made outstanding contributions to observing and understanding our oceans, coasts and Great Lakes through vision, leadership, friendship and collaboration.
The word “Caraid” is a Scottish Gaelic word, meaning “care" or "love” and is pronounced like “courage.” These are the attributes — caring and the courage to do what matters — that makes IOOS work. The first recipient of the award was Dr. Ru Morrison whose Scottish heritage and collaborative nature inspired us to learn about Caraid, not only as a word, but also as an ethos he brought to all of his work.
Candidates can be an individual, a group, or an organization that has contributed to observing and understanding the oceans, coasts, and/or Great Lakes through collaboration, innovation, and/or a commitment to working with stakeholders.
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GCOOS data covers a wide breadth of information — from in-situ sensors, to glider-based oceanographic inputs and just about everything in between. We even maintain a catalog of geographical data at https://gisdata.gcoos.org/.
Many of these products are results from models for the Gulf of Mexico region and various collections that may not otherwise be easy to locate.
The GCOOS Geographic Information System (GIS) Catalog was designed to facilitate exploration, collection and download of GIS data. The catalog includes a keyword search field. Bathymetric collections from other sources are also compiled for the region and filtered separately. The catalog can filter the content type — feature layer, raster layer, feature service and feature collection. Several examples are provided to help improve the user experience no matter your GIS skill level.
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Final Report: Economic Impacts of Water Quality |
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Severe Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) occurred in the Gulf of Mexico between 2015 and 2019, when multiple HAB events fouled waters, ruined vacations and caused respiratory distress for vulnerable residents and visitors.
The Gulf of Mexico Alliance undertook a project focused on quantifying the linkages between economic outcomes and Gulf of Mexico coastal health, specifically HABs, with results intended to enable resource managers and their state and federal partners to quantify the economic implications for HABs and their avoidance, and assess restoration investments and/or management actions. The final project report is now available:
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Education & Engagement in the Gulf |
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The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Gulf Research Program has announced the creation of a new advisory board: The Board on Gulf Education and Engagement (BGEE).
The board is one of four advisory boards within the GRP; its mission is to support the development of education and engagement programs relevant to the GRP’s 2020-2024 Strategic Plan. Its mission includes providing strategic guidance in the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of studies, projects, and other activities related to education, training, engagement and outreach. The team will focus on the complex challenges that exist at the intersection of human, environmental and energy systems for both the Gulf region and the nation.
Members are:
- Chair Jean May-Brett, GCOOS Outreach and Education Council member and former GCOOS Board member;
- Dr. Chris Simoniello, GCOOS Outreach and Education Manager;
- Dr. John Cooper, Director of Texas Target Communities at Texas A&M University;
- Dr. Donald Davis, Louisiana Sea Grant College Program;
- Katherine Egland, NAACP National Board of Directors;
- Dr. Versie Johnson-Mallard, University of Florida College of Nursing;
- Dr. Louella Mack-Webster, Mississippi Department of Education;
- Craig Strang, University of California, Berkeley;
- Ex-officio member, Dr. Regina Benjamin, Gulf States Health Policy Center.
Dr. Karena Ruggiero Mothershed, GRP Senior Program Officer, will host the board’s first meeting later this month.
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Fully Serving the Underserved |
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Register now for the Gulf of Mexico Alliance virtual workshop “Fully Serving the Underserved” taking place Jan. 12-13, 2021. The workshop will include four virtual sessions over two days with breaks between sessions. Sessions will build upon each other (so participation from the outset is encouraged) and include interactive scenarios.
The keynote speaker will be Clinton Johnson, who leads the Racial Equity Team at GIS mapping technology leader Esri. His keynote will focus on understanding real-world challenges faced by diverse communities and finding creative, practical solutions. He’ll also share racial equity best practices that empower people and communities to increase awareness, understanding and collaboration.
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The Underwater Glider User Group (UG2) —a community-based coalition aimed at bolstering scientific collaboration and information/resource sharing for glider operators, data users, manufacturers, academia, and government agencies — is planning two upcoming webinars.
“Gliders in the Gulf Stream: New Insights from Sustained Observing” will include experts from NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution discussing underwater gliders.
“UG2 Kick-Off.” UG2 coordinators will host a welcome webinar for the official launch of UG2. It will include an overview of the UG2 community goals and new website built to support collaboration and information sharing. Additional topics: NOAA Antarctic Ecosystem Research Division (AERD) Glider Operations and IOOS/Partners 2020 Hurricane Glider Efforts.
To join the group, submit your information here.
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The University of Washington and Sea-Bird Scientific have developed a revolutionary new optical oxygen sensor for Argo floats. The sensor, deployed in the tropical Pacific on Nov. 4, is designed to allow for the collection of air oxygen samples while the float is on the surface and to calibrate upon each float profile. The goal is to produce an improved version of the SeaBird BGC-Navis profiling float that can be purchased commercially for use in future BGC-Argo-like field experiments.
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Oil and Gas Leases in the Gulf |
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The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is reporting the results of a recent lease sale and announcing plans for 2021 sales in the Gulf.
The region-wide Gulf of Mexico Lease Sale 256 generated $120,868,274 in high bids for 93 tracts covering 517,733 acres in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. A total of 23 companies participated in the lease sale, submitting $135,558,336 in total bids. Lease Sale 256 included 14,862 unleased blocks located from three to 231 miles offshore, in the Gulf's Western, Central and Eastern Planning Areas in water depths ranging from nine to more than 11,115 feet (three to 3,400 meters). Details.
BOEM is also proposing to offer approximately 78.2 million acres for a region-wide Gulf of Mexico lease sale scheduled for March 2021. Lease Sale 257, scheduled to be livestreamed from New Orleans, will be the eighth offshore sale under the 2017-2022 Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program. The sale will include approximately 14,594 unleased blocks – all of the available unleased areas in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Details.
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Healthy Ecosystems & Living Resources |
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Embrace the Gulf Campaign Update |
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Amidst a challenging year that has drastically limited face-to-face activities, communities around the Gulf of Mexico have stepped up to voice their support for the “2020 Embrace the Gulf Campaign.” The 365 messages campaign (actually 366 messages because of Leap Year), government and industry proclamations, magazine articles, social media, and co-branded activities with numerous organizations, including GCOOS, has gained momentum that will take the campaign beyond 2020.
From video messages from high profile environmental organizations like the Guy Harvey Foundation to proclamations signed by the governors of all five Gulf coast states, the campaign has brought diverse people and organizations together to celebrate our common source of cultural, social, environmental and economic well-being.
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CETACEAN Steering Committee Announced |
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The Compilation of Environmental, Threats, and Animal Data for Cetacean Population Health Analyses (CETACEAN) project has formed a new steering committee to provide individual stakeholder perspective, guidance, and recommendations.
CETACEAN is a five-year collaborative project funded through NRDA Open Ocean Restoration Area funds from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, with NOAA as the Lead Implementing Trustee. The project is focused on helping to restore cetacean species injured during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, including common bottlenose dolphins, Atlantic spotted dolphins, Bryde’s whales, and sperm whales.
Project partners include NOAA’s Office of Habitat Conservation, Office of Protected Resources, Southeast Regional Office, and Southeast Fisheries Science Center; the Marine Mammal Commission; IOOS; SECOORA/Axiom Data Science; and GCOOS. GCOOS is the Product Owner/Stakeholder Engagement Manager and works closely with Axiom Data Science, which is handling technical project development. NOAA Project Managers are Elizabeth Fetherston-Resch, NOAA SERO, and Tom Dolan, ERT, Inc./Contract to NOAA OHC Deepwater Horizon Program.
Members of the CETACEAN executive committee, providing overall project direction, include Laura Engleby, NOAA SERO Marine Mammal Branch Chief; Jenny Litz, NOAA SEFSC; Teri Rowles, NOAA OPR Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Coordinator; Samantha Simmons, Marine Mammal Commission; and Tiffany Vance, NOAA IOOS.
The CETACEAN steering committee includes researchers, resource managers, veterinarians, and resource managers. Its new members are:
- Brian Balmer, National Marine Mammal Foundation
- Bill Epperson, Mississippi State University
- Deb Fauquier, NOAA
- Kate Frasier, Scripps Whale Acoustics Laboratory
- Philip Hamilton, New England Aquarium
- Matthieu Le Henaff, NOAA AOML
- Michelle Pico, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
- Jess Powell, NOAA SERO
- Laurie Rounds, NOAA RC
- Rosanna Boyle, Nova Southeastern University
- John Tirpak, DOI U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- Carrie Wall-Bell, NOAA National Center for Environmental Information
- Leslie Ward-Geiger, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- Randall Wells, Chicago Zoological Society’s Sarasota Dolphin Research Program
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Ocean Acidification Webinars |
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Ocean and coastal acidification threatens marine ecosystems and the coastal communities that rely on them. Actions and best practices to adapt to and mitigate impacts — buffering sediments, restoring seagrasses, conserving refugia — is an area of active research. Hear from speakers about mitigation strategies for coral reefs and shellfish resources. Speakers include Dr. Tyler Cyronak, Assistant Professor, Nova Southeastern University (Florida); Sara Randall, Associate Director, Downeast Institute (Maine); Dr. Kimberly K. Yates, Senior Research Oceanographer, U.S. Geological Survey, St. Petersburg Coastal and Marine Science Center (Florida); Dr. Nichole Price, Senior Research Scientist, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences (Maine); Dr. Susie Arnold, Marine Scientist, Island Institute (Maine).
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When:
- 2-3:30 p.m. EST Dec. 1 with speakers Cyronak and Randall
- Noon to 1:30 p.m. EST Dec. 3 with speakers Yates, Price, Arnold
- Registration
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Mark Your Calendar: Gulf Conference Preview |
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The Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA) All Hands Meeting, the annual Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Ecosystems Science (GoMOSES) Conference, and the triannual State of the Gulf Summit are teaming up to create one in-person conference in 2022. In the meantime, organizers are creating a special virtual preview scheduled for April 14, 2021.
The three-hour virtual preview includes a keynote speaker and panels designed to present:
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Get the Facts About Harmful Algae |
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Gulf Sea Grant offices have created new fact sheets focused on toxic algae in the Gulf.
Florida Sea Grant, along with UF/IFAS Extensions in Martin and St. Lucie counties partnered with the Florida Department of Health to release a fact sheet about keeping dogs safe from blue-green blooms. The fact sheet details the toxin’s effects on dogs, risks for fatality, how to recognize the presence of algal blooms, and links to additional resources.
Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant has two fact sheets available about harmful algal blooms in the Gulf of Mexico.
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In 2010, the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon resulted in the largest man-made disaster in U.S. history. Today, each Gulf state administers restoration funds and programs. Additionally, other agencies and organizations are also tasked with administering programs designed to restore Gulf habitats and better understand Gulf ecosystems.
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GCOOS maintains a jobs listing for positions and fellowships in the ocean observing community. Want to advertise a position? Email Laura Caldwell
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National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) Gulf Research Program: Environmental Program Director; Board on Education and Engagement
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Mote Marine Laboratory: Senior Research Scientist in Shark or Manatee Biology, Staff Analytical Chemist, Exotoxicology Program; Florida Red Tide Initiative Postdoctoral Scientist; Coral Restoration Postdoctoral Researcher;
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Florida International University: Open-rank faculty position in Phycology
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Genwest Systems, Inc.: GIS Analyst
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The Water Institute of the Gulf: Data Architect for Environmental Resource
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International Ocean Colour Coordinating Group: Scientific Officer
Postdoctoral Positions:
- NOAA: National Centers for Coastal Ocean Sciences, NRC Research Programs
Fellowships:
- Knauss Fellowships
- NOAA's William M Lapenta Student Internship
- Margaret A. Davidson Graduate Fellowship
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GCOOS maintains a listing of funding opportunities. Have an opportunity you'd like to advertise? Email Laura Caldwell
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- FY 2020 Ocean Technology Transition Project
- Gulf of Mexico Alliance Funding Calendar
- SECOORA: Filling product and/or observational gaps defined in the Regional Coastal Ocean Observing System Strategic Operational Plan 2020 - 2025
- NOAA Sea Grant & Ocean Acidification Program: Shellfish Aquaculture Partnerships
- NOAA Marine Debris Program
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1-3: Bays and Bayous Symposium, “Sound Science, Sound Policy: A 2020 Vision for the Future." Begins at noon on Tuesday, Dec. 1; ends at noon on Thursday, Dec. 3 Virtual
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GCOOS is the Gulf of Mexico regional component of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) and the only certified system dedicated solely to the Gulf of Mexico. Our mission is to provide timely, reliable and accurate information on the open ocean and coastal ocean waters of the Gulf of Mexico to ensure a healthy, clean, productive ocean and resilient coastal zone. |
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Dr. Barbara Kirkpatrick, Executive Director • Bill Lingsch, U.S. Glider User Group Coordinator • Dr. Chris Simoniello, Outreach & Education Coordinator • Dr. Kerri Whilden, Oceanographer • Felimon Gayanilo, Systems Architect, Co-Data Manager • Dr. Shinichi Kobara, Assistant Research Scientist, Product Developer • Bob Currier, Research Specialist, Product Developer, Co-Data Manager • Marion Stoessel, Senior Research Associate • Dr. Steven Baum, Associate Research Scientist • Jennifer Vreeland-Dawson, Research Associate • Grant Craig, Program Coordinator • Stephanie Watson, CETACEAN Coordinator, Nadine Slimak, Public Relations & Content Marketing, Vetted Communications, LLC • Dr. Chuan-Yuan Hsu, Post Doctoral Research Associate • Robbie Iles, Graduate Research Assistant • Laura Caldwell, Program Assistant
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In Memoriam: Matt Howard, 1952-2018
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