The NOAA Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) is awarding $899,826 in 2009 competitive grant funding to support ocean observing efforts in the Caribbean.
The grants will go to the University of Puerto Rico for the Caribbean Regional Association. It will continue to support and operate the Caribbean Regional Integrated Coastal Ocean Observing System which provides observation products for the Caribbean region. The project will be directed through marine science professor Julio Morell at the School of Marine Sciences in Mayaguez.
The consortium is one recipient in a series of nationwide peer-reviewed IOOS grant projects, totaling $21 million this year. The goal of each regional observing system is to maintain and enhance ocean and coastal observations in the area, making data easier to access and giving planners and policymakers the information needed to improve safety, enhance the economy, and protect the environment. Data from each region will also be available to researchers throughout the country via the national IOOS.
"This award represents NOAA's commitment to implementing the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation Act of 2009 which recognizes the IOOS regional systems as key components of the national effort," said Zdenka Willis, NOAA IOOS program director. "These projects are crafted to meet local customer needs while also contributing to the success of the national effort."
NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources. Visit http://www.noaa.gov.
On the Web:
NOAA IOOS: http://www.ioos.gov
Caribbean Regional Association: http://cara.uprm.edu/federation.html
Caribbean Integrated Coastal Ocean Observation System: http://www.caricoos.org/