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From the Director:

As we roll into the middle of February, our office continues to work with the Biden-Harris Administration transition teams to provide information on IOOS and align work with the Administration's priorities. We have also been very busy with budget formulation planning for FY22 and FY23 as well as beginning the merit review panel process for the regional NOFO awards and participating in the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development kick offs. 

February is also Black History Month (or National African American History Month) and NOAA has published stories about some prominent NOAA figures in Black History.

The Research Vessel Ron Brown is named to honor the late Ronald H. Brown, the first African American to serve as Secretary of Commerce. Brown made it his mission to generate jobs and provide opportunities for ordinary Americans. Learn more about Ron Brown's life and career.

AOML oceanographer and Miami native, Evan B. Forde was the first African American scientist to participate in research dives aboard a deep-sea submersible in 1979, and completed successful dive expeditions in several submarine canyons utilizing three of these vessels. He is currently the Vice Steward of the employee union for AOML and President of the Miami Chapter of the American Meteorological Society. Read his interview.

And lastly, a story from the U.S. Coast Guard about Capt. Michael Augustine Healy, the first African American to receive a U.S. sea service officer’s commission and the first to command a Federal ship. Read more about this famous captain in Coast Guard history here. 

Black History Month is observed every February to recognize the history and achievements of African Americans and their central role in our nation's history. As we celebrate this year, we say thank you to the important contributions of African Americans across IOOS, NOAA, and the Country.

Thanks,
Carl

From the U.S. IOOS Office:

  • IOOS Advisory Committee Update: The advisory committee held a public meeting on February 5th, 2021. The meeting report will be made available soon on the IOOS Advisory Committee website. 
  • Welcome Catie Tobin! Catie Tobin is the new Sea Grant Fellow for the U.S. IOOS Office. Catie is completing her PhD in Environmental Science at the University of Massachusetts Boston. She is exploring the environmental and social implications of microfiber ingestion by the eastern oyster in Boston Harbor and coastal Massachusetts. Prior to graduate school, Catie worked for Clean Ocean Action, a non-profit based in NJ. There she worked at the intersection of science, policy and education on a suite of ocean-related issues. Catie continued to work with Clean Ocean Action on a part-time basis while in graduate school. While currently residing in Boston, she is a NJ native. Catie will support the office on the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, the NOAA Water Initiative, the Environmental Information Services Working Group (EISWG), IOOS blue economy initiatives, and data management certification for IOOS Regional Associations.

Observation Subsystem and Sensor Technologies:

    • Marine Technology Society Webinar - Feb 24, 2021: From Collecting Samples for Water Quality Analysis to Calibrating HF Radar Antennas and Saving Lives - The Marine Applications of Unmanned Aerial Systems, Part III: MTS will host a webinar featuring marine applications of unmanned aerial systems on Wed, Feb 24, 2021 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST. This webinar will feature Dr. Hugh Roarty, speaking on the integration of UAS into life saving operations; Teresa Updyke, speaking on calibration of HF radar antennas using drones; and Eduardo Romero, speaking on water sampling with drones and autonomous boogie board antenna patterns.
    • UG2 Steering Committee Meeting: On Feb 5th the UG2 Steering Committee met and discussed UG2 Updates, upcoming webinars, a recap of the UG2 Welcome meeting, UG2 Member Assessment, and Subgroup Updates on training, best practices/communications, and coordinated operations. The group also discussed private sector engagement and community engagement including setting up a listserve and hotline, launching webresources, and future workshops and webinars. 
    • Upcoming UG2 Webinar: Please join us on February 18th 2:00-3:30pm ET for UG2 news and community presentations! The Webinar will provide an update on the UG2 community activities and briefings from UG2 members on their sustained glider operations. Webinar link: https://underwatergliders.us5.list-manage.com/track/click?u=222a27da663bc7a6c129815e5&id=238b7e3a15&e=7139390609
      • Speakers and topics will include: 
        • Bill Lingsch, NOAA | UG2 Updates
        • UG2 Focus Areas
        • Kevin Martin, USM | Best Practices and Communication 
        • Kasia Zaba, Scripps | Industry Engagement 
        • Robert Todd, WHOI | Sustained Operations 
        • Travis Miles, Rutgers | Training
        • Robert Todd, WHOI | Long-term glider operations in and near the Gulf Stream
        • Dan Rudnick, Scripps | Observing regional climate variability with the California Underwater Glider Network
    • AniBOS Steering Committee Meeting: The First Meeting of the Animal Borne Ocean Sensors (AniBOS) Steering Committee was convened on Feb 3, 2021.  The Steering Committee is composed of 15 members from 7 different countries:  Australia, Sweden, US, France, Brazil, Scotland and Canada, all of whom are experienced participants in the collection of data from ocean sensors that are attached to marine animals. The primary goal of the meeting was to define a strategy for 2021 and a plan of action with specific timelines. Other items addressed at the meeting included funding strategies, real-time and delayed-mode data management, creation of the Data Management Committee and the Ethical Board, and defining the overall AniBOS communications approach. The U.S. ATN will lead the development and implementation of the AniBOS real-time data management strategy and approach.
    • Unifying the ATN and MBON: At the MBON all hands meeting on Feb 10, 2021, Dr. Megan McKinzie, the ATN Data Coordinator, presented examples of how data layers from MBON, ATN and IOOS Environmental Sensors can be integrated in the ATN Data Portal and used to identify and predict the location and timing of biodiversity ‘hotspots’ of marine megafauna, characterize the environmental conditions underlying these hotspots and to map the hotspots with management areas and maritime jurisdictions to determine level of overlap with ocean uses, in order to, among other things, develop conservation options, and increase the efficiency of fisheries by reducing bycatch. These are the primary tasks of the newly created Cross-MBON Bio Track Working Group co-led by Neil Hammerschlag (U. of Miami) and Bill Woodward (U.S. ATN).
  • Marine Life 2030: A Global Integrated Marine Biodiversity Information Management and Forecasting System for Sustainable Development and Conservation: A proposal has been submitted for Marine Life 2030 to be endorsed by the UN as a Programme for the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. Marine Life 2030 will establish the globally coordinated system to deliver actionable, transdisciplinary knowledge of ocean life to those who need it, promoting human well-being, sustainable development, and ocean conservation. Within a decade, Marine Life 2030 will unite existing and frontier technologies and partners into a global, interoperable network and community of practice advancing observation and forecasting of marine life. This network of networks will link technical, management and policy stakeholders to build and exchange capacity for advancing society’s grand challenges of managing activities for a healthy and resilient ocean and the vibrant and healthy society that depends on it.

 

Data Management and Cyberinfrastructure (DMAC) Subsystem and Tools Built on IOOS data (DMAC listserv – contact Micah Wengren, DMAC System Architect, data.ioos@noaa.gov)

  • SAVE THE DATE! 2021 IOOS DMAC Meeting, 15 – 17 June 2021, Virtual: We are pleased to announce that the 2021 DMAC Meeting will take place virtually on the afternoons (1:00 - 5:00 PM ET) of Tuesday, June 15 through Thursday, June 17. Please save these dates in your calendars.  We will reach out for agenda input for presentation and breakout discussion topics soon. Further information on event logistics will be coming out soon as well. Questions or suggestions about the agenda should go to Mathew Biddle (mathew.biddle@noaa.gov), Micah Wengren (micah.wengren@noaa.gov), Tiffany Vance (tiffany.c.vance@noaa.gov) and Kathy Bailey (kathleen.bailey@noaa.gov).
  • QARTOD Five-Year Project Plan: We’ll begin drafting the QARTOD five-year project plan for the period 2022-2026 in April. The present plan (https://cdn.ioos.noaa.gov/media/2017/12/QARTOD-ProjectPlanUpdate_v2.0_2017_Final.pdf) details accomplishments for the first five years of QARTOD at IOOS, and the plans for 2017-2021. Watch for opportunities to provide input, such as the DMAC webinar on 25 February, or send comments to Mark at any time. Let us know how you think QARTOD should evolve to better meet your needs.
  • Ocean Best Practice System: The Steering Group is already planning for a virtual OBPS Workshop V, to be held sometime during the last two weeks of September. Mark your calendars and consider how this workshop could be used to your advantage. Read the most recent of 23 papers to be published by the online open access journal Frontiers, under the research topic Best Practices in Ocean Observing. Perspectives on Documenting Methods to Create Ocean Best Practices explains why and how to turn your favorite method into a community-accepted best practice. See it at https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2020.556234/full

Modeling and Analysis Subsystem (IOOS PO and IOOS Coastal and Ocean Modeling Testbed (COMT) POC – Tracy Fanara, Tracy.Fanara@noaa.gov):   

  • FY2021 Coastal and Ocean Modeling Testbed Project: The U.S. IOOS Program is seeking to fund projects which advance new or existing solutions that address long standing and emerging coastal modeling and forecast product development challenges. This announcement specifically funds activities needed to progress through the transitional stages from research toward full operations (such as system integration, testing, validation, and verification). Projects will be expected to participate in and advance the operation of the U.S. IOOS COMT under a community modeling environment. Funding will be targeted to models, tools or products, with demonstrated operators and end users, that are sufficiently mature for evaluation and transition to long term operations. Total estimated funding for all awards is up to $2 million per year from the U.S. IOOS Program. Multiple awards are anticipated, subject to availability of funds, in amounts up to $300,000 per year for up to three years.

    Please note that due to the rolling blackouts in Texas caused by a winter storm, the proposal submission deadline for the current COMT funding announcement has been extended until March 2, 2021 at 11:59 p.m.. Please review grants.gov for the most up-to-date information.

  • West Coast Inundation Workshop March 30, 31, April 1, 2021: The workshop will bring together academic and federal government researchers involved in coastal flooding observations, models, and predictive tools that serve coastal communities.  These include the OOS networks, USGS, NWS, NOAA OCM, NASA-JPL, and a number of university researchers. The goal is to share case studies, identify gaps, and promote collaborations to improve west coast forecasting and products. More information: https://www.oceanvisions.org/coastal-solutions-2020 
  • 2nd General Modeling Meeting and Fair: 2nd General Modeling Meeting and Fair will now be held in an all-virtual format April 13th-16th, 2021. The theme of the event is “connecting community modeling to impactful products and services”.  All information regarding the Meeting and Fair can be found on the meeting website: https://www.star.nesdis.noaa.gov/ngmmf2021. Additionally, abstract submission for Fair exhibits will open on February 5, 2021 and close on Friday, March 5, 2021. For any questions, please contact the organizing committee at general.modeling.meeting.fair@noaa.gov.
  • Mark Your Calendars - Ocean Visions 2021 Summit: The next Summit will be held on the campus of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography between May 18-20, 2021. We anticipate having three satellite campuses virtually linked in Australia, South Africa, and Germany. Details to follow. The summit is being planned as "in-person" on all campuses with the ability to also participate virtually thanks to our partner the American Geophysical Union (AGU). Please save the date and sign-up for updates, we will soon release a draft Program & Agenda and share the link on social media. https://www.oceanvisions.org/summit-2021. Join the Ocean Visions Network here: https://www.oceanvisions.org/support-us 

Interagency and International Collaboration/News:

  • UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development Update: Congressional Briefing Scheduled for February 23rd: On 02/23/2021 at 1-2:30PM EST, hear updates from US colleagues on “Accelerating U.S. Leadership In the Decade Of Ocean Science For Sustainable Development.” The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development, 2021-2030 is a unique ten-year, global cooperative program to expand scientific partnerships to support effective science, ocean management, and sustainable development. The panel will provide updates since the last congressional briefing in November 2020 about the growing collaboration efforts with the UN, international bodies, governments, science community and private sector through the Decade. Existing scientific networks can catalyze opportunities for new and expanded collaboration, and will be a foundation of planning for the Decade. Register for the webinar here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/6506223254456591 
  • Call for Nominations for the NOAA HSRP Federal Advisory Committee for 2022: The NOAA Hydrographic Services Review Panel (HSRP) announces the 2022 Call for Nominations and notes the information is published in the Federal Register - Federal Register Notice for HSRP Call for Nominations for 2022. The panel advises NOAA on operations and research issues related to navigation, hydrographic surveying, nautical charts, tides and currents, geodetic and geospatial data and measurements, Arctic priorities and coastal data and resilience. Applicants should have expertise in marine navigation, port administration, maritime shipping or other intermodal transportation industries, cartography and geographic information systems, geodesy, geospatial data, physical oceanography, coastal resource management, including coastal resilience and emergency response, or other science-related fields. Due date and requirements: Nominations are due via email no later than April 26, 2021, are limited to 8 pages, require a cover letter with response to 5 questions, a short bio and a resume as noted in the FRN. For more information, see https://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/hsrp/hsrp.html 
  • NOAA Integrated Ecosystem Assessment Special Issue: The NOAA Integrated Ecosystem Assessment special issue in Coastal Management Journal was published 2/5/2021. This issue "Ten years of NOAA Integrated Ecosystem Assessment" highlights how NOAA has partnered with stakeholders and managers to advance ecosystem-based management within and outside of the agency. The issue is open access - available at https://www.tandfonline.com/toc/ucmg20/current. 
  • Stratus Ocean Reference Station Deployed off Coast of Chile: On January 28, 2021 the 19th deployment of the Stratus Ocean Reference Station (ORS) was accomplished using the Chilean Navy Ship AGS 61 Cabo de Hornos. The Stratus ORS is located about 800 nautical miles off the coast of northern Chile where the ocean depth is 4,230 meters, or more than 2.6 miles. Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) has been working with the Chilean Navy, or Armada de Chile to service the Stratus mooring since 2015, and on this mission, they were able to recover the 18th mooring and deploy the new one. Moorings are typically replaced every 12 months, and the 18th Stratus ORS had been deployed in April 2019, meaning it was stationed for almost 2 years before it could be replaced. The Status ORS deployment and recovery was originally scheduled for March 2020, but due to COVID-19 pandemic, this cruise was rescheduled two times. When the Cabo de Hornos became available in late January 2021, NOAA and WHOI moved swiftly to plan for travel, quarantine stays, and COVID-19 testing to meet WHOI, NOAA, and Armada de Chile protocols. The cooperation of the Armada de Chile and of the ship’s officers and crew was essential to the mission’s success. Read more about this mission.
  • New Operational Forecast Systems Coming Online February 23, 2021: Two new National Ocean Service's operational forecast systems for the U.S. West Coast (WCOFS) and the Northern Gulf of Mexico (NGOFS2) will become operational at 12:00 UTC on February 23, 2021. NGOFS2 will replace the existing three operational forecast systems for the Northern Gulf of Mexico (NGOFS), the Northeastern Gulf of Mexico (NEGOFS), and Northwestern Gulf of Mexico (NWGOFS).  NGOFS, NEGOFS, and NWGOFS will be decommissioned after 15:00 UTC on February 23, 20221. Further details about the upgrade can be found in the Service Change Notice, which is available at the following link: https://www.weather.gov/media/notification/pdf2/scn21-14nos_wcofs_ngofs2.pdf 
  • CO-OPS Creates New Contaminated Water Dive Tool: Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) released a new Contaminated Water & Dive Safety web tool that uses datasets from NOAA, the Environmental Protection Agency, and state monitoring programs. Diving is routinely required to perform scheduled and emergency maintenance at CO-OPS water level and current meter sites, but divers face a number of risks from contaminants each time they enter the water. This new tool, based on geographic information system (GIS) mapping, can be used to assess localized contamination risk. The tool also includes local information for divers, like the locations of hospitals, hyperbaric chambers, and marinas. Originally designed for CO-OPS, the tool may support NOAA-wide activities. It is not currently publicly accessible. The NOAA Small Boat Program (part of the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations) is interested in using the tool to analyze risk where NOAA ships dock and conduct operations. This tool is a powerful example of GIS’s ability to inform critical decisions and mitigate health risks.
  • OCS Publishes 2020 Field Procedures Manual: The Office of Coast Survey (OCS) Hydrographic Surveys Division published its 2020 Field Procedures Manual (FPM). The goal of the FPM is to provide NOAA field units and private hydrographic survey contractors with a set of standardized guidelines and best practices for conducting, processing, and generating final deliverables. Topics covered include systems preparation, such as hardware, vessel, and software systems; survey planning; data acquisition; data processing and analysis; and survey deliverables. This FPM received a major revision from the one released in 2014. OCS will adopt a new collaborative format before the 2021 field season to keep up with further changes. NOAA field units drive the changes to better enhance our products.
  • NGS Announces Virtual 2021 Geospatial Summit: The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) announced that its 2021 Geospatial Summit will be held online May 4-5. The Summit will provide updated information about the planned modernization of the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS). NSRS modernization will impact federal mapping agencies, engineers, surveyors, and many other geospatial applications and user groups. This Summit will continue discussions from previous Geospatial Summits held in 2010, 2015, 2017, and 2019. Topics covered at the summit will include progress in and benefits of modernizing the NSRS, and how the datum transition will impact work. Participants can also ask questions of NGS experts and share feedback about the planned changes. The event is open to the public and registration is free.
  • NGS Releases xGEOID20: NGS has released its annual experimental geoid model (xGEOID) that is the foundation for determining precise heights in the modernized National Spatial Reference System (NSRS). A geoid model is a surface of constant geopotential that approximates mean sea level, as determined by the Earth's gravity field. The xGEOIDs provide preliminary—but increasingly accurate—views of the changes expected from modernizing the NSRS and replacing the North American Vertical Datum of 1988. Experimental Geoid Model 2020 (xGEOID20) is the first joint experimental geoid model produced through international cooperation among the United States, Canada, and Mexico. It incorporates the latest satellite gravity model, all available airborne gravity data from the NGS Gravity for the Redefinition of the American Vertical Datum program, and an improved digital elevation model in 3” spatial resolution. It also provides the geoid accuracy and an updated dynamic geoid model of changes over time.
  • MERT hosts successful National Marine Sanctuaries Climate Change Priorities Virtual Workshop: The National Marine Sanctuaries Climate Change Priorities Virtual Workshop, hosted by CPO’s Marine Ecosystems Risk Team (MERT), successfully concluded three days of speakers, panels, and breakout sessions. More than 125 participants from across at least 20 programs, agencies and institutions, including NOAA Research programs and labs, Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS) headquarters and individual Sanctuaries, and external agencies/institutions, joined the Jan. 26-28 workshop. The goal of the workshop was to bring together stakeholders within ONMS, NOAA Research, NOAA Headquarters programs (National Ocean Service, NOAA Fisheries, NOAA Satellites, National Weather Service), and external partners to advance Sanctuary climate information and science needs identified in regional-focused Sanctuary discussions held in September 2020. Hassan Moustahfid, IOOS Office, attended the workshop and chaired a breakout session “on variability and change in subsurface ocean conditions”. Please read more details about the workshop here. 
  • Grants & Funding Opportunities:
  • Knauss Fellowship Opportunity Now Open! The notice of federal funding opportunity for the 2022 Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship is now open. The fellowship provides a one-year, paid experience for highly-qualified early career professionals to work on issues related to coastal, marine and Great Lakes science and policy in offices within the executive or legislative branch of government in Washington, D.C. Graduate students interested in marine science policy should explore the information about the fellowship as soon as possible and talk to their local Sea Grant program (or the National Sea Grant Office) at least one month prior to the February 19, 2021 deadline. Learn more about becoming a Knauss Fellow and Read the official opportunity on grants.gov.
  • NEW: Georgia Sea Grant: Georgia Sea Grant is soliciting two year research proposals in response to its FY2022-2024 funding cycle. Proposals must address priorities outlined in their 2018-2023 Strategic Plan. Georgia Sea Grant has allocated approximately $800,000 for this research competition. We anticipate making 5-7 research awards with a maximum budget of $150,000 for two years (including indirect costs). Pre-proposals due February 22. Click here for full information. 
  • FY2021 Coastal and Ocean Modeling Testbed Project: The U.S. IOOS Program is seeking to fund projects which advance new or existing solutions that address long standing and emerging coastal modeling and forecast product development challenges. This announcement specifically funds activities needed to progress through the transitional stages from research toward full operations (such as system integration, testing, validation, and verification). Projects will be expected to participate in and advance the operation of the U.S. IOOS COMT under a community modeling environment. Funding will be targeted to models, tools or products, with demonstrated operators and end users, that are sufficiently mature for evaluation and transition to long term operations. Total estimated funding for all awards is up to $2 million per year from the U.S. IOOS Program. Multiple awards are anticipated, subject to availability of funds, in amounts up to $300,000 per year for up to three years. Full proposals due February 26, 2021 via Grants.gov. To read the full funding announcement, click here. 
  • NOAA Surveying Matching Fund Pilot: The purpose of the pilot is to encourage non-Federal entities to partner with NOAA on jointly funded hydrographic surveying and mapping and related activities of mutual interest. NOAA would match partner funds and rely on its existing contract arrangements to conduct the actual surveying and mapping activities. NOAA is requesting that interested entities submit proposals byFebruary 26, 2021. The goal of the pilot program is to acquire more ocean and coastal hydrographic surveying for mutual benefit, including for safe navigation, integrated ocean and coastal mapping, coastal zone management, coastal and ocean science, and other activities. The program relies on NOAA's hydrographic expertise, appropriated funds, and its authority to receive and expend matching funds contributed by partners to conduct surveying and mapping activities. This pilot program is subject to funding availability. More information available in the Federal Register Notice. 
  • NSF funding opportunity for Navigating the New Arctic: Navigating the New Arctic (NNA) embodies an important forward-looking response by the Foundation to profound environmental challenges in the Arctic. NNA seeks innovations in fundamental convergence research across the social, natural, environmental, computing and information sciences, and engineering that address the interactions or connections among natural and built environments and social systems, and how these connections inform our understanding of Arctic change and its local and global effects. This solicitation requests proposals that fall within one of three tracks: NNA Planning Grants, dedicated to developing convergence research questions and teams to tackle projects of larger scope in the future; NNA Research Grants, aimed to support creative projects on fundamental research that address convergent scientific and engineering challenges related to the rapidly changing Arctic; and NNA Collaboratory Grants, designed to support collaborative teams undertaking research and training initiatives on critical themes of a broad scope related to the New Arctic. Proposals due March 5, 2021 https://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=505594 
  • Great Lakes observations, data management, and information delivery: The Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS) is pleased to share a mini-grant opportunity for one-year projects ranging from $20k-$150k (USD) that will support Great Lakes observations, data management, and information delivery.Proposals are due on March 12, 2021 and are open to both US and Canadian institutions. Please visit the GLOS mini-grant webpage https://glos.org/2021-minigrants/ for more information and to download the request for proposals, and reach out to minigrants-2021rfp@glos.org with any questions or to discuss ideas. GLOS will be maintaining a list of FAQs on the website, as well any other updates. 
  • Vembu Subramanian Ocean Scholars Award: SECOORA is continuing Vembu’s legacy by sponsoring the annual Ocean Scholars Award.  There will be two awards this year: an undergraduate and other (for graduate students and early career professionals), each in the amount of $1,250. The funds are to be used to support recipients’ participation in a virtual or in-person regional, national, or international meeting or conference. Proposals are due March 12, 2021, 5:00 PM ET.  Click here for more info. 
  • SECOORA 2021 Data Challenge: Using Buoy and Shore Station Data to Meet User Needs: The 2021 Data Challenge invites undergraduate students, graduate students, and early career professionals to develop a project that incorporates and analyzes buoy and/or shore station data using archived SECOORA data. There are two $3,500 prizes.  Proposals are due Friday March 12, 2021 at 5:00 PM ET. Click here for more. 
  • NOAA Sea Grant & Ocean Acidification Program Funding Opportunity: Shellfish Aquaculture Partnerships: The National Sea Grant Office and the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program are funding a joint competition to fund proposals that seek to establish, continue, and/or expand collaborations between researchers and the shellfish aquaculture industry. Specifically, applications to this competition should utilize new or existing research/industry partnerships to study how ocean and coastal acidification in combination with other stressors impacts shellfish aquaculture. Applications must include at least one researcher and one shellfish grower acting as co-Principal Investigators, and the proposed work must utilize a co-production of knowledge framework. Read the formal announcement on Grants.gov NOAA-OAR-SG-2021-2006704. An informational webinar will be held in November, date to be announced. Full proposals due March 16, 2021 via Grants.gov. This information is also available at https://seagrant.noaa.gov/Funding. 

Delivering the Benefits:

  • SCCOOS holds first IFCB training workshop: SCCOOS hosted the first of two Imaging Flow Cytobot (IFCB) training workshops with McLane Labs as part of the "Implementation of an Automated Early Warning System for Harmful Algal Bloom Events in California" project funded by the California Ocean Protection Council. Essential SIO personnel attended an in-person training on February 10th, 11th, 17th, and 19th, but McLane personnel participated virtually due to COVID19 travel restrictions. The IFCB used for the hands-on training was purchased as part of a NOAA ECOHAB project at UCSD/SIO. The instrument is one of a network of nine state-of-the-art IFCBs that will be deployed on piers, moorings, and research cruises along California's coast to identify phytoplankton abundance and species in real-time in order to improve the state's ability to detect and respond to HAB events. This project develops a national capacity to accelerate research to operations for HAB technologies and monitoring efforts so they can be better integrated into management tools, monitoring, and predictive frameworks, while also providing standardization of data collection, processing, interpretation, and archive. This will be accomplished through regional and national coordination, establishment of a HAB Data Assembly Center, and an effort to harmonize and mature existing technologies towards higher readiness levels in collaboration with partner IOOS Regional Associations.
  • Experimental Weekly Sargassum Inundation Report by NOAA and University of South Florida- Status Jan 26- Feb 1, 2021 is now available. 
  • December 2020 CA HAB Bulletin Now Available: The December CA HAB Bulletin is now available for the latest collection of model output, observations, and advisories. Major contributors to the bulletin content are SCCOOS, CeNCOOS, HABMAP, NOAA CoastWatch, California Department of Public Health, The Marine Mammal Center, the Marine Mammal Care Center Los Angeles, Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute, CA Wildlife Center, Marine Animal Rescue, the Pacific Marine Mammal Center, and SeaWorld.

Congressional:

  • No update.

Communications/Outreach/Education:

  • GCOOS Announces Upcoming Retirement of Executive Director, Dr. Barbara Kirkpatrick: The Board of Directors of the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS) announced the upcoming retirement of its Executive Director, Dr. Barbara Kirkpatrick, and the national search they are undertaking for the organization’s next leader. Dr. Kirkpatrick, who has served as Executive Director of GCOOS since 2014, has been instrumental in raising the profile of the observing system nationally, bringing new assets to the Gulf of Mexico, broadening the scope of the organization to include biological aspects of ocean monitoring, and in advancing the regional association’s organizational foundation and partnerships. The Board is currently developing the position advertisement and will share it widely through the GCOOS network.
  • Presenting vision for a fully mapped Great Lakes at UN Ocean Decade: Last week, GLOS joined hundreds of others concerned with ocean and Great Lakes health at the United States launch meeting for the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development or the “Ocean Decade.”  The event featured a virtual poster display session where Linden Brinks, our geospatial analyst, presented on Lakebed 2030—a grassroots effort to map the Great Lakes. 
  • Meet the Winners of the Fill Regional Product and Observational Gaps Project: SECOORA is honored to announce the winners of the Request for Proposals to Fill Regional Product and Observational Gaps. SECOORA received many innovative submissions for this 1-year funding opportunity and three proposals will be funded. One project will conduct environmental and fisheries monitoring with an autonomous underwater vehicle in two Marine Protected Areas and  another project will add five new water level sensors along the North Carolina Outer Banks. The third project will focus on the development of machine learning algorithms to create a new navigational product for managing large-vessel traffic at two Florida ports. Learn more about the funded projects here. 
  • Meet the Winners of the Enhancing Regional Ocean Data Sharing Project: SECOORA is thrilled to announce the winners of the Enhancing Regional Ocean Sharing Data Request for Proposals. SECOORA will be funding three projects this year that use state and regional geospatial data to enhance marine management practices. One project will create a web tool to illustrate species diversity and distribution with acoustic telemetry data to aid in coastal management. Another will synthesize data to understand water quality trends in shellfish habitats. The third project will develop an online tool to support stakeholder engagement in offshore wind energy development. Learn about the projects here. 
  • IOOS Enterprise in the News:
    • No update.

Upcoming Meetings with IOOS Participation (Please check links as we move forward as things may change quickly for planned events):

  • Save the Date! Capitol Hill Oceans Week, 8 June 2021: We are excited to share the Capitol Hill Ocean Week 2021 program with you! This year’s conference will focus on the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in sustaining a healthy ocean, coast and Great Lakes. The future of our waters depends on all people and the actions we take now will have sweeping long term impacts. Our success will require the experience, expertise, perspectives and values of the communities most affected by environmental change and quality. We invite you to take a look at the detailed conference description and themes at the CHOW 2021 webpage.
  • SAVE THE DATE! 2021 IOOS DMAC Meeting, 15 – 17 June 2021, Virtual: We are pleased to announce that the 2021 DMAC Meeting will take place virtually on the afternoons (1:00 - 5:00 PM ET) of Tuesday, June 15 through Thursday, June 17. Please save these dates in your calendars.  We will reach out for agenda input for presentation and breakout discussion topics soon. Further information on event logistics will be coming out soon as well. Questions or suggestions about the agenda should go to Mathew Biddle (mathew.biddle@noaa.gov), Micah Wengren (micah.wengren@noaa.gov), Tiffany Vance (tiffany.c.vance@noaa.gov) and Kathy Bailey (kathleen.bailey@noaa.gov).
  • MTS 14th Buoy Workshop, 25 - 27 October 2021: The MTS 14th Buoy Workshop has been rescheduled for October 25 – 27, 2021 and will be held in Wilmington, North Carolina.  This year’s theme is Moored Systems for the Future. Areas and topics will include, but are not limited to: Ecosystems Monitoring, Long-Term Observing Systems, Reliability & Harsh Environments, Power Systems, Data, Sensors & Instrumentation, Mooring Design and Synergy.  Registration opens and the call for speakers begins April 15, 2021, and abstracts are due September 1, 2021. Please see the Buoy Workshop homepage for more information (https://buoytech.mtsociety.org/).

Other Upcoming Meetings:

  • NOAA 2021 Hurricane Center Mariner's Workshop, 9–11 March 2021, virtual: Key decision makers from maritime industries are invited to attend a 3-day virtual workshop which will highlight the uncertainty that goes into our forecasts and unveil upcoming new products and services. To be able to participate, please register here: registration form.
  • Save the date! ICOE 2021 - 28–30 April 2021, virtual: The International Conference on Ocean Energy (ICOE 2021) is taking place virtually 28-30 April 2021. In addition to unparalleled opportunities to network and learn from industry leaders from around the world, this event will provide a variety of forums for attendees to share advancements in ocean energy research and technology breakthroughs. Come discover how the ocean renewable energy industry is preparing to benefit the larger "Blue Economy" and the electrical grid, and identify the research needed to further advance the state of technology. Learn more here. 
  • 9th EuroGOOS International Conference, 3–5 May 2021, virtual: Abstract submission is now open for the 9th EuroGOOS International Conference, Advances in Operational Oceanography: Expanding Europe’s Ocean Observing and Forecasting Capacity, to take place virtually on 3-5 May 2021. Held every three years, the conference aims to provide a review of present ocean monitoring and forecasting capacities and oceanographic services, and identify new science and technology priorities. The event brings together a wide range of developers and users of operational oceanography services, and provides a platform to exchange ideas, foster cooperation, and formulate coordinated solutions to ocean-related global challenges. See the conference website for more details, abstracts due by Feb. 1. 
  • SAVE THE DATE! 2021 Geospatial Summit, 4 – 5 May 2021, virtual: The 2021 Geospatial Summit will be completely virtual on May 4-5, 2021. Registration is not yet open, but all NGS News email subscribers will be notified when registration opens. This year’s event will provide updated information about the planned modernization of the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS). Additional information about the 2021 Geospatial Summit will be posted online. Email questions or comments to NGS.Infocenter@noaa.gov. 
  • SAVE THE DATE! Ocean Visions 2021 Summit, 18 – 20 May 2021, virtual & in-person: The next Summit will be held on the campus of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography between May 18-20, 2021. We anticipate having three satellite campuses virtually linked in Australia, South Africa, and Germany. Details to follow. The summit is being planned as "in-person" on all campuses with the ability to also participate virtually thanks to our partner the American Geophysical Union (AGU). Please save the date and sign-up for updates, a draft Program & Agenda will be released soon.
  • EMODnet 2nd Open Conference and Jamboree,  14–18 June 2021, Oostende, Belgium and virtual: The second EMODnet Open Conference and Jamboree will be held the week of 14 June 2021. During the event, EMODnet partners, communicators and data providers and users will take stock of EMODnet achievements over the past 10 years, connect across stakeholder communities and set goals for the future. To start the week, the EMODnet Open Conference will focus on use cases and requirements for developing essential open marine data services for blue economy actors, the public sector, civil society and the research community. More details will follow soon.

 

Webinars: 

  • Hooked on Ocean Acidification (OA) mini-series, Thursdays 2/18 – 3/11, 6:30pm ET: Join MACAN and MARACOOS for a new virtual educational mini-series, Hooked on Ocean Acidification (OA)! During four Thursday evening sessions, they will provide you with the latest scientific research and mobile apps to understand how ocean acidification may affect your local fisheries, and what can be done to reduce the impacts. You are welcome to attend any or all of the sessions. Sessions will be held virtually, via ZOOM. Links for each session will be provided after you register. Click here to register for this mini-series! Please register before February 15th. 
  • Regional Ocean Data Sharing: Southeast Sand Resources Project, 23 Feb 2021, 12pm ET: Join SECOORA for a webinar titled “Regional Ocean Data Sharing: Southeast Sand Resources Project” hosted by Mary Conley, The Nature Conservancy. Mary will be discussing results from a project aimed at understanding existing resources and information gaps related to sand management.  Read more and register here. 
  • U.S. EPA: Managing Harmful Algal Blooms in Tribal Waters Webinar Series, 3/10, 3/16, 3/18, 1pm ET: In collaboration with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Sitka Tribe of Alaska, EPA is hosting a three-part webinar series on the impacts of marine and freshwater harmful algal blooms (HABs) and their toxins in tribal communities. Click here for more info and registration. 
  • SERIES: Atlantic International Research Centre Networking Fridays: The AIR Centre hosts a series of Webinars that take place every Friday, from 1pm to 2 pm UTC. During these Networking Fridays, researchers, technology innovators, representatives of multilateral organizations, government officials, and social entrepreneurs will present to and discuss with the audience their current work and, most importantly, explore ways of future collaboration. More info here: https://www.aircentre.org/netfridays/ 
    • February 19th, 2021: Simonetta di Pippo (UNOOSA)
    • February 26th, 2021: Networking Friday on the Fulbright Portugal Programme
    • March 5th, 2021: Science for Kids with Ciência Viva
  • SERIES: National Marine Sanctuaries Webinar Series: The National Marine Sanctuaries Webinar Seriesprovides educators with educational and scientific expertise, resources, and training to support ocean and climate literacy in the classroom. This series currently targets formal and informal educators, students (high school through college), as well as members of the community, including families. You can also visit the archives of the webinar series to catch up on presentations you may have missed here.
    • February 24, 7:30 pm ET: Remarkable Algae in Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
    • March 11, 4-5:30 pm HT: Dive into a Changing Ecosystem: From Lush Kelp Forests to Urchin Barren
    • March 16 and 17, 3-5 pm ET: 2021 Virtual Ocean Classroom Teacher Workshop

Job & Internship Opportunities:

  • NEW: Data Manager, SCCOOS: The Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System is looking for a Data Manager to join the program staff. The candidate will apply professional concepts, department/unit and campus/medical center/OP policies and procedures to resolve a variety of complex issues in one or more IT areas of specialization. Analyze complex issues. Within defined procedures and practices, determine appropriate action. Open until filled, priority consideration window closes 2/19/2021.  For more details and how to apply. 
  • Program Specialist III, NCAR/UCAR: The program specialist will be working with NOAA Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) to provide interagency affairs capacity in support of NOAA’s requirements under the Federal Ocean Acidification Research & Monitoring Act (FOARAM Act) and the Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research Act of 2020 Act (ICOOS Act). Open until closed. Click here for full details and how to apply. 
  • Director of Environmental Initiatives, San Diego Foundation: The purpose of this position is to lead The San Diego Foundation’s efforts to engage cross-sector partners – donors, government, business, academia and community organizations – to create, implement and collaborate on solutions to address the region’s most pressing environmental challenges. Building on The San Diego Foundation’s track record in environmental research and initiatives, the Director, Environmental Initiatives will work as part of the Community Impact Division, to implement multi-pronged environmental initiatives.  Open until closed.  Click here for full details and how to apply. 

Click here to view the IOOS Association Calendar

Do you have suggestions for new things you would like to see in the Eyes on the Ocean IOOS Bi-Weekly? Contact us at: eoto@noaa.gov.

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