FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 27, 2008

Contact: Ben Sherman, 301-713-3066
Jennie Lyons, 301-427-2446

NOAA Announces Funding to Support Ocean Observing Efforts in Hawaii and U.S. Pacific Islands

NOAA's Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) is awarding $2,097,909 in fiscal year 2008 competitive funding to support ocean observing efforts in Hawaii and the U.S. Pacific Islands.

The funds will be directed to the University of Hawaii at Manoa, will oversee the continued development of the Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PIOOS) and associated management efforts. Building on a pilot project focused on Oahu’s south shore, the aim is to maintain and enhance ocean and coastal observations in the region, make regional data easier to access and use, identify and prioritize future regional needs for ocean information, and monitor environmental conditions so decision-makers can minimize the impact of severe weather, natural hazards, and other emergencies. The project will be directed by Brian Taylor, Ph.D., dean of the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology.

“Regional partnerships are critical to the success of a national Integrated Ocean Observing System,” said Zdenka Willis, NOAA IOOS program director. “With increased understanding of our oceans and coasts comes an increased ability to keep our nation safe, our economy secure, and our environment healthy and productive.” 

PIOOS is one recipient in an anticipated series of IOOS competitive program grants across the nation totaling $20.4M. Those grants will support the continuation of 17-multi-year projects awarded in 2007, as well as new efforts in 2008.

This money supports NOAA’s efforts to develop a national IOOS, a vital tool for tracking, predicting, managing, and adapting to changes in our coastal and ocean environments. This network of people and technology is consolidating coastal and ocean data, so it is easily accessible and can be used by scientists and decision-makers to get a ‘bigger picture’ view of environmental change.

“This agreement represents another big step forward for the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observing System, as called for in the President’s Ocean Action Plan,” said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “This year’s award is a great example of NOAA’s dedication to our ocean and coastal observing capacity, as well as our commitment to work with our regional partners.”

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an agency of the U.S. Commerce Department, is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and information service delivery for transportation, and by providing environmental stewardship of our nation's coastal and marine resources. Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with its federal partners, more than 70 countries and the European Commission to develop a global monitoring network that is as integrated as the planet it observes, predicts and protects.

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On the Web:

NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov

NOAA National Ocean Service: http://www.oceanservice.noaa.gov

NOAA IOOS program: http://ioos.noaa.gov/

PacIOOS and HiOOS: http://www.pacioos.org and http://www.hioos.org