Click here to download brochure

Many Floridians of diverse ocean related backgrounds (including academic, government, NGO, and private) have expressed interests in the development, implementation, and use of a comprehensive and integrated Coastal Ocean Observing System (COOS). A venue was needed for discussions between members of the academic and research community, governmental and regulatory officials, and the private sector provider and user groups regarding emerging efforts to develop coastal ocean observing systems.

Accordingly, the Florida COOS Caucus meetings originated through convening efforts of Otis Brown, Dean of the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science, Richard Dodge, Dean of the Nova Southeastern University's Oceanographic Center, and Peter Betzer, Dean of the University of South Florida's College of Marine Science.

The intent of the Florida COOC Caucus meetings has been and continues to be to provide a productive dialogue to help determine the most useful options and policy parameters consistent with Florida's diverse ocean resource and ecosystem needs. The meetings are the best opportunity to engage the scientific, management, regulatory, and private sector provider and user groups. The FL COOS Caucus employs a town-hall format for participants to establish the basis for, and to demonstrate the benefits of, cross-disciplinary, cross-sectorial dialogue between marine sciences and resource experts in a group setting. Caucus meetings, scheduled throughout the calendar year, help to keep Floridians informed about complex and fast moving ocean policy decision making, near-term programmatic funding opportunities and strategic interregional partnerships. Relying on fair-minded consensus building strategies, ocean issues can be debated, and various solutions and policy initiatives examined.

FL COOS Caucus meetings are based upon the efforts of the many participants and organizers. The gatherings are planned with informative guest speakers and comprehensive panel discussions. In a world of formal meetings by policy decision makers, the FL COOS Caucus meetings offer a fresh opportunity for open debate and public policy development important to our future and the future of the Florida coastal ocean and beyond.

• Letter to Governor-Elect Crist (Dec 20, 2006)
  
• FCC Recommendations for FOCRC Research Plan FY 2007-2008 (July 5, 2006)
  
• FCC Letter to Gov. Bush ref FOCRC funding (Jun 8, 2006)
  
• Memo to Gov. Bush from Florida COOS Caucus requesting support for $17.7M FOCRC budget
  April 5, 2006
  
• FCC CONSENSUS STATEMENT March 10 2006
  
• Thank You letter from FCC to FOCRC members Mar 9 2006
  
• RC3.2 Budget and SOW Feb 16 2006
  
• RC 3.2 Q&A Feb 17 2006
  
• Florida COOS White Paper of January 13, 2006