Improved Understanding of Oceanic Processes through an Integrated Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System

Abstract: Advances in the understanding of every oceanic process of concern to scientists, marine resource managers, disaster managers and other decision makers require improved understanding of properties such as sea surface temperature, circulation, air-land-sea interactions, sea floor bathymetry, eddy propagation and other subjects in which regional informational needs remain unfulfilled. To address this situation, the University of Puerto Rico and the University of the Virgin Islands, with the authority and support of an interagency consortium of US agencies, have organized CaRA, the Caribbean Regional Association. As part of a national system of similar organizations, CaRA is charged with advancing the state of observational platforms and related infra-structure in the region. Its mandate also calls for assembling existing data streams and inventories of databases, data management protocols, and regionally focused expertise into a sustainable, integrated observing system that improves and advances monitoring of the ocean in the Caribbean region and contributes substantially to the understanding of ocean processes. It has begun its mission by engaging regional stakeholders, identifying their needs for information about the ocean and coasts, conducting an inventory of existing ocean observing system assets, formalizing its own structure, and facilitating collaborations and pilot projects that demonstrate the utilit