GCOOS Observing Systems Committee

Terms of Reference

The Observing Systems Committee will be established to aid in the technical and scientific development of GCOOS observations. The Committee will be responsible for the development of standards, QA/QC procedures, consideration of and recommendations on technology improvements necessary to meet present and future user needs, and development of requirements for scientific research and pilot projects. The Committee will be composed of experts in the various fields of ocean observing systems such as biological, physical and chemical oceanography, fish and shellfish, seabirds, marine mammals, atmospheric science, remote sensing, fisheries technology, and aquaculture and mariculture. The Observing Systems Committee also is responsible for recommending to the Board annual updates to the business plan for observational issues associated with the GCOOS. Members will be appointed by the Board of Directors and the chair will be elected by the members of the Committee. The Committee can use targeted workshops and establish working groups to develop its scientific and technical advice.

Observing Systems Committee

Member Affiliation Sector Represented
Jim Byous Ocean Specialists P
Don Conlee NortekUSA P
David Heil Seafood Safety, FL Dept. of Agriculture G
Stephan Howden (Chair) University of Southern Mississippi A
Gary Jeffress TAMU Corpus Christi A
Dawn Lavoie USGS G
Alan Lewitus NOAA G
Linda Lillycrop Mobile District, USACE G
Nick Shay University of Miami A
Neil Trenaman Danish Hydraulic Institute P
Jan van Smirren Fugro GEOS P
Mike Vogel Shell P
Nan Walker LSU A

* Sectors: A = Academic; G = Government; P = Private

Meetings & Reports

The first meeting was held 26-27 April 2006 in Biloxi, MS. The second meeting was held 27-29 November 2007 in New Orleans, LA. The meeting report is available.

Action Plan for December 2007 - June 2008

  1. Improve communications among Councils and Committees; designees are
    1. Howden, OSC Chair, as the representative to Board meetings (bi-monthly teleconferences and 6-monthly face-to-face meetings)
    2. Jeffress as the OSC representative to DMAC
    3. Walker as the OSC representative to Products and Services Committee
    4. TBD as the OSC representative to the Stakeholders Council
    5. TBD as the OSC representative to the Education and Outreach Council
  2. Recommend to the Board of Directors actions relative to the identification of historical data sets and their digital accessibility and archival. Timeline: March 31, 2008.Team leader: Jeffress
  3. Develop Emergency Response Plan for GCOOS Regional Ocean Observing Subsystems (ROOSs):
    1. Template 1st draft. Timeline: April 1, 2008. Task Leader: Jeffress.
    2. Final template. Timeline: May 15, 2008. Task Leader: Jeffress.
    3. Identify ROOSs for participation
    4. Contact each ROOS and request that they submit draft plan to GCOOS Office. Timeline: May 15, 2008.
  4. Ensure that all ROOSs participate in the CSC IOOS Data Registry. Responsible parties are:
    1. U. South Alabama, FSU; March 15, 2008, Conlee
    2. Check with NCDDC about providing assistance; March 15, 2008, Howden
    3. MS-DMR/USGS; March 15, 2008, Howden
    4. La-DNR/USGS; March 15, 2008, Nan Walker
    5. Check off the Systems Inventory List; March 15, 2008, Howden
    6. Check on USGS/TX and USGC/FL; March 15, 2008, Lavoie
  5. Develop Directory of IOOS/GCOOS Technical Experts for
    1. HF Radar
    2. Remote Sensing
    3. AUVs
    4. Nutrient Sensors
    5. Sea level gages
    6. In-situ optical
    7. Oxygen
    8. Waves and currents
    9. Buoys
    10. Drifters
    Howden will send out email by mid-February with a request for responses by mid-March. Results will be collated into a directory by early April.
  6. Push for Data Registry of National Backbone in Gulf
    1. Ask GCOOS Board to request NFRA to ask for Federal registry of IOOS data. Timeline: January 2008. Responsible party: Nowlin
  7. Review OSC membership and chairmanship. Committee Chair will send recommendations to Board of Directors by April.
  8. Review OSC's prioritized lists of projects to be proposed by GCOOS and GOM National Backbone enhancements. Circulate to other committees and councils for comment before submitting recommendations to the Board. This activity has a high priority since GCOOS must be ready with a vetted plan as funding opportunities present themselves.
    1. Complete OSC review by mid-February
    2. Circulate to committees and councils and obtain comments by early March.
    3. Teleconference to finalize recommendations by end of March.
    4. Submit recommendations to the Board by end of March.
  9. Review and update the Action Plan twice per year. Timeline: June 2008 and November 2008. Task leader: Stephan Howden, OSC Chair.

Previous Action Plans