From 2000 to 2008, Ocean.US, the National Office for Integrated and Sustained Ocean Observations led the nation in planning for IOOS®, the Integrated Ocean Observing System. As a result of its significant efforts, including a pivotal series of community building workshops and planning reports, a U.S. IOOS® is being implemented
The Interagency Working Group on Ocean Observations (IWGOO) has issued the official announcement that the Ocean.US office closed September 30, 2008. Some Ocean.US activities will continue under the leadership of the IWGOO, a chartered working group under the Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology. IWGOO activities will be facilitated by the Consortium for Ocean Leadership.
The Ocean.US web site will be maintained as a legacy resource. The site contains a historical timeline and provides access to all workshop reports and documents.
Thanks to everyone who contributed to the successes of Ocean.US and the early development of IOOS®. The Ocean.US record of accomplishments stands as one of the most successful U.S. interagency collaborations of the past decade.