ABOUT US

The Florida COOS Consortium consists of a number of Florida-based state and private universities, non-profit organizations and private companies. The Consortium is developing an integrated and sustained Coastal Ocean Observing System (COOS) for Florida waters (extending out to the Exclusive Economic Zone). A COOS is an end-to-end system of observations, data management, and models to better describe, understand and forecast the coastal ocean environment.

Florida and the Bigger Picture:
The US national Integrated and Sustained Ocean Observing System (IOOS) is part of a Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) which is being developed to observe and forecast both deep-ocean and coastal ocean environments. Recognizing the diversity of coastal ocean processes and impacts on society, the coastal ocean component of IOOS has been divided into 11 geographical areas. Development of these Regional Coastal Ocean Observing Systems (RCOOS) will be overseen by Regional Associations (RAs). Florida is geographically straddled by two Regional Associations: the Gulf of Mexico RA (GCOOS-RA) and the Southeast Atlantic RA (SECOORA). It is also the only state that abuts the Caribbean RA (CaRACOOS).

FLCOOS caucuses:
In addition to designing and implementing Florida's COOS, we hold caucuses to improve communication between people in Florida who are interested in its coastal ocean environment. These meetings, held at different locations around Florida, are scheduled throughout the year to keep Floridians informed about COOS activities, ocean policy, and marine topics of local interest.

VISION

The Florida COOS Consortium is committed to a forward thinking Coastal Ocean Observing System (COOS), developed for Florida, the Southeastern US, and Gulf of Mexico regions. This COOS will be responsive to the needs of Florida users and inclusive of all areas and influences that affect the Florida coastal ocean out to the Exclusive Economic Zone.

DOCUMENTS

FLORIDA COOS

• FLCOOS brochure (PDF)
• FLCOOS poster (low-resolution PDF)
• Florida COOS White Paper of January 13, 2006 (PDF)
• Strategic Implementation Plan for 2008-2010
• Bylaws
• Memorandum of Agreement
• Bio-Sensing in Ocean Observation Workshop Final Report (PDF)

OTHER FLORIDA-RELATED DOCUMENTS

• Moving Ahead: The Next Step in Ocean Management for Florida (PDF) (FOA)
• Executive Summary for Moving Ahead: The Next Step in Ocean Management for Florida (PDF) (FOA)
• Investing in Florida's Coastal & Oceans Future (PDF)
• Florida Oceans and Coastal Council Science Research Overview (PDF)
• Executive Summary for Phase II Florida's Ocean and Coastal Economics Report (Word DOC)
• Phase II - Florida's Oceans & Coastal Economies Report (PDF)
• Phase II - Appendices (PDF)
• Phase II - Florida Economic Facts and Figures Summary (PDF)
• FCOC's Preparing for a Sea Change in Florida (PDF)
• NOAA/GOMA "The Gulf of Mexico at a Glance" Draft Report 2008

OTHER DOCUMENTS OF INTEREST

• US Climate Change Science Program "Coastal Elevations and Sensitivity to Sea Level Rise" Public Review Draft Report, February 2008
• National Research Council "Potential Impacts of Climate Change on U.S. Transportation" Report, March 2008
• Harvard Medical School's "Climate Change Futures: Health, Ecological and Economic Dimensions" Report 2008
• US Ocean Action Plan 2006-2007
• The Joint Ocean Commission's From Sea to Shining Sea: Priorities for Ocean Policy Reform; June 2006 (PDF)
• Data Management and Communications Plan for Research and Operational Integrated Ocean Observing Systems I. Interoperable Data Discovery, Access, and Archive; 2005 (PDF)
• U.S. Commission on Ocean Poligy Final Report Chapter 26: Achieving a Sustained, Integrated Ocean Observing System (PDF)
• NOAA IOOS draft strategic plan; 2008-2014 (PDF)
• NSF Facilities document; 2005 (PDF)

MEMBERS

FUNDING ORGANIZATIONS

2008	2007-2008	2006-2007	2006-2008	2006-2008
	2005-2007	2005-2006	2005-2006