OBJECTIVES

Explore the components and interactions necessary to create a vital regional coastal ocean observing system in the southeast U.S. APPROACH A consortium of universities with existing observing system components are working together to construct a functional regional coastal ocean observing system. An initial structure has been created and specific projects identified as unifying activities across the region. WORK COMPLETED A number of essential tasks were accomplished in the first year of the program. Of particular importance was the development and implementation of an organizational structure that includes establishment of a Board of Directors, activation of five working groups (observing, modeling and products, information management, outreach and education, and federal affiliates) and recruitment of a dozen affiliate members. Associated with creation of the appropriate governance structure for the consortium was the role of SEA-COOS investigators in providing input to the National Federation of Regional Associations formation process (at the Ocean.US sponsored regional summit in Washington, DC, April 1, 2003) and input to the successful proposal for the Southeast Regional Associatio