2006 Ocean Sciences Meeting SEACOOS Presentation - The Southeast Atlantic Coastal Ocean Observing System (SEACOOS): Implementation of a regional program in the Southeastern United States

For the program on "Coastal Ocean Observing Systems: Regional Contributions to Goals of the Integrated Ocean Observing System," OS14F-04. The implementation plan for the coastal component of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) calls for development of a "national backbone" augmented by regional coastal ocean observing systems (RCOOS). SEACOOS is an academically based pilot RCOOS for a four-state region in the Southeastern U.S. (North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida). Functional subsystems within SEACOOS (observing, modeling, information management, education/extension) are integrated through an interdisciplinary, science-based approach. A phased implementation plan is intended to link key user applications to the coastal ocean processes that can be addressed as the regional and national systems mature. In addition, SEACOOS is providing a test bed for pre-operational evaluation of COOS components in each of the functional subsystem areas. The initial phase of the implementation emphasizes coastal ocean circulation and related applications (including physical transport information for offshore operations, emergency management and fisheries/ecosystems). The next phase adds applications related to surface waves and storm surge. Addressing these and additional user applications requires coordination with federal and state agencies, the value-added private sector and various sub-regional programs. This is being pursued within SEACOOS through several cross-cutting application areas and regionally through the nascent SE Regional Association (SECOORA). Here we summarize the development of SEACOOS, noting accomplishments and challenges, and highlight some of the scientific applications being leveraged through development of the regional observing, modeling and information management systems. *J R Nelson, H E Seim, R H Bacon, M Fletcher, C N Mooers, R H Weisberg, F E Werner.