Research and GOOS

A Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) is needed for: detecting and predicting climate variability and consequences, protecting and restoring healthy marine ecosystems, reducing human health risks, managing resources, facilitating safe and efficient marine operations, and predicting and mitigating against coastal hazards. To these ends, an operational system of integrated observations, data communications and management, and data analysis is being developed to serve the data and information requirements of a broad spectrum of user groups from industry, government, nongovernmental organizations, and academia. Successful development of a system that guarantees the continuous and sustained provision of useful information requires effective collaboration between the research and operational communities and between data providers and users to ensure that system development is user-driven and sustained in perpetuity. Development of GOOS requires a managed process that selectively incorporates, enhances, and supplements existing elements consistent with user needs. Successful transition of new elements from research to operational oceanography is a big step and is inherently difficult. It will require ongoing guidance from both data providers and users as well as cooperation and good will on the part of the research and operational groups involved. In some cases it may be necessary to transition new elements into the operational system prior to obtaining user acceptance because that acceptance may be obtained only after the usefulness of new products is demonstrated. A process that selectively migrates new knowledge and technology from research into an operational mode and promotes synergy between research and operational oceanography is described herein.