Established in 2004, the Central and Northern California Ocean Observing System is the U.S. IOOS Regional Association for the California/Oregon border south to Point Conception.  The fundamental CeNCOOS approach is to develop long-term monitoring of environmental conditions such as water quality, productivity, and connectivity in support of marine protected area management in central and northern California.

Distinguishing characteristics of the central and northern California region:

• Is a consortium of member organizations with a coordinating central program office.
• Enables sustained and coordinated measurements, model nowcasts and forecasts, and integrated products to inform decisions about our regional ocean.