[StBernard] Development of a GCOOS Data Portal, Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System - Regional Association Receives Gulf Guardian Award

[Westley Annis]

Development of a GCOOS Data Portal, Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing
System - Regional Association Receives Gulf Guardian Award 

(STENNIS SPACE CENTER, Miss. - June 9, 2011) - The Gulf of Mexico Program
recently announced that the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System
(GCOOS) - Regional Association of College Station Texas will receive a Gulf
Guardian Award for 2011 in the Partnership category for their work on the
integration of and regional enhancements to the GCOOS.  The Awards ceremony
will be held in conjunction with the Gulf of Mexico Alliance Meeting on
August 3, 2011, beginning at 6 p.m in the Ballroom at the Westin New Orleans
Canal Place in New Orleans. 

            

The GCOOS Data Portal Project was developed during the period of 2008-2010
by the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System-Regional Association.
The purpose was to aggregate near real-time oceanographic data from ten
non-federal data providers distributed around the Gulf of Mexico. Because
providers maintain data and products using different names, protocols and
archival schema, the challenge was to interface these data and products via
an automated system and through web-based interfaces for users. The GCOOS
Data Portal Project spans the entire U.S. Gulf coast and engages people from
academia, state and local government, NGOs, formal and informal education,
and the private sector. The overarching accomplishment is that the portal is
currently maintained at a fully operational level.  Improved access to data
streams, information on the status of observing systems, and public products
are being provided to stakeholders.  The Data Portal, a key component of the
centralized data management system for the Gulf of Mexico, benefits a broad
community.  The data served which includes oceanographic and meteorological
conditions, bathymetry, dissolved oxygen, dissolved nutrients, turbidity,
and chlorophyll  is  used by diverse academic, private sector and government
entities that incorporate the information into their research, monitoring,
and resource management efforts.      

  

The Gulf of Mexico Program initiated the Gulf Guardian awards in 2000 as a
way to recognize and honor the businesses, community groups, individuals,
and agencies that are taking positive steps to keep the Gulf healthy,
beautiful and productive.  A first, second, and third place award are given
in seven categories:  individual, business, youth environmental education,
civic/nonprofit organizations, environmental justice/cultural diversity,
partnership and bi-national efforts. 

  

"The Gulf Guardian Award winners demonstrate great examples of collaborative
efforts leading to solutions that address the Gulf of Mexico environment,"
said EPA Regional Administrator Al Armendariz.  "Their accomplishments are
making a positive difference in protecting and restoring the Gulf and EPA is
pleased to recognize their environmental stewardship."  

  

The Gulf of Mexico Program began in 1988 to protect, restore, and maintain
the health and productivity of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem in economically
sustainable ways. The Gulf of Mexico Program is underwritten by the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency and is a non-regulatory, inclusive
consortium of state and federal government agencies and representatives of
the business and agricultural community, fishing industry, scientists,
environmentalists, and community leaders from all five Gulf States.  The
Gulf Program seeks to improve the environmental health of the Gulf in
concert with economic development. 

  

Gloria Car, Acting Director of the Gulf of Mexico Program said, "This is the
11th year of the Gulf Guardian Awards Program, and I am proud to say that
each year the winners in all categories have represented the very best of
environmental accomplishments in the Gulf of Mexico.  The partnership of the
Gulf of Mexico Program works to improve the environmental health of the
Gulf, and the Gulf Guardian Awards is an important way for us to recognize
these valuable efforts.  The 2011 award winners truly exemplify the
enthusiastic and committed citizens, communities, governments, and
businesses who address complex problems to improve, protect, and sustain our
regional and national treasure, the Gulf of Mexico. 

  

For more information regarding GCOOS please contact:  Ann E. Jochens, GCOOS
Regional Coordinator and Chris Simoniello, Phone:  (979) 845-6714
ajochens at tamu.edu <mailto:ajochens at tamu.edu>    (727) 322-1318
simo at marine.usf.edu <mailto:simo at marine.usf.edu>  


  

Editor's Note:  For more information about the Gulf Guardian Awards and the
Gulf of Mexico Program, call the Gulf of Mexico Program Office at
228-688-3726 or visit our web site 

  

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