I hope you were able to join the first two webinars in our Spring Series that focuses on the work of our PIs, which began earlier this month. I was pleased to open the series with an overview and update of our five-year funding cycle. Thanks to Dr. Mark Luther, University of South Florida, GCOOS’s Felimon Gayanilo and John J. Langan from Mote Marine Laboratory for sharing information about their work as well. If you missed any webinars, please visit our website, where we’re archiving the recordings. You can also preview the rest of the upcoming webinars in the series and register for those that interest you.

Until next month,

Nominations for the GCOOS Board of Directors will open on Tuesday, Feb. 21. GCOOS voting members will be electing six directors who will support ocean observing opportunities across the five Gulf states, along with international efforts throughout the wider Gulf of Mexico. Board members help to steer the GCOOS ship by setting organizational policies and providing direction to the executive director.

The GCOOS Spring Webinar series featuring our principal investigators kicked off on Feb. 8 and will continue each Wednesday through March. Topics include high frequency radar and gliders, water quality and nutrient sensing, satellite services and more.

At GCOOS, we're committed to providing inclusive opportunities. Have ideas how we can do better? GCOOS Members are invited to join our new Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) Task Team!

If your work focuses on any aspect of Gulf of Mexico resources and data please consider becoming an official member of GCOOS. Membership is free and members have opportunities for connecting, collaborating, exposure, organizational recognition and the chance to help guide the ongoing development of the Gulf’s observing system.

More than 100 organizations are already GCOOS members from private, academic, governmental and nongovernmental organizations and institutions that have activities and interests in the Gulf. Check out our full list to see the diversity our member community.

Join us and share your organization’s perspective to help GCOOS identify local and regional Gulf priorities and continue to build a robust Gulf observing system.

The Gulf of Mexico Coastal Acidification Network (GCAN) and the Southeast Ocean and Coastal Acidification Network (SOCAN) have joined forces to address gaps in ocean acidification monitoring and we need your help to identify coastal acidification areas of concern.

Survey results will inform the Interagency Working Group on Ocean Acidification’s (IWGOA) upcoming call for information on priority monitoring needs. All members and stakeholders with interests in Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina are invited to take the short 10-minute survey — and you don’t need prior knowledge to participate.

Due to storms in 2021 and 2022, observing platforms, sensors and stations along the coasts and offshore in the Gulf of Mexico region were damaged or destroyed — particularly high frequency radar (HFR) and mooring assets. These assets are critical infrastructure to help us gain data about environmental conditions during extreme weather events and as such are on the frontline of storm impacts This supplemental funding will allow for station repair, replacement and reconnection. Co-PIs on the project are Dauphin Island Sea Lab (DISL), Fugro, Louisiana State University (LSU), TAMU and USM.

In January, glider users and researchers discussed lab infrastructure, tricks and tips they employ, as well as operational challenges and shortcomings during a webinar titled “What’s in My Garage” hosted by the Underwater Glider User Group (UG2). Many IOOS and GCOOS collaborators participated in this event, including Dr. Uchenna Nwankwo, GCOOS Oceanographer at TAMU.

UG2 is now accepting nominations for new Steering Committee members to advocate for UG2 goals and objectives and work toward a successful, thriving glider community. UG2 leadership is committed to ensuring a diverse and inclusive selection process, steering committee membership and community and encourages nominations from a variety of backgrounds, skills and views. Self-nominations are welcome.

The University of South Florida College of Marine Science (USF-CMS) has added a new CODAR SeaSonde® HF-Radar (HFR) in Key West’s Smathers Beach Park. Funding was provided by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, & Medicine (NASEM) Gulf Research Program (GRP) and it was added to the IOOS National Network HFRNet server in January. This new Key West HFR site provides overlapping radial coverage with a previously installed NASEM-GRP USF/CMS HFR site in Marathon, Florida, enabling better understanding of the complex and variable surface current outflow characteristics of the Gulf of Mexico Loop Current System through the Straits of Florida, as well as supporting other important uses such as improved boater safety and U.S. Coast Guard Search and Rescue (SAR) operations. Questions? Email Dr. Clifford Merz.

The Skidaway Institute of Oceanography at the University of Georgia is hosting an international workshop on western boundary current-subtropical Continental Shelf interactions. The goal is to convene a globally diverse group of researchers to discuss the state of knowledge of WBC-STCS ecosystems and to identify strategies for coordinating observational and research objectives to advance understanding of these dynamic regions.

The call for abstracts for a special session focused on the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea scheduled during the upcoming ASLO Aquatic Sciences Meeting June 4-9 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, is now open. The session aims to bring together interested international investigators both to highlight new results from the Gulf and also identify areas of common interest and collaborative opportunities to help inform future planning in GEOTRACES, Ocean, Carbon and Biogeochemistry (OCB), Global Ocean Observing Systems and other relevant national and international programs.

In 2016, divers in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary found something amiss when they dropped to the East Reef at mooring buoy No. 4: green, hazy water, dead benthic animals, white bacterial mats and dead coral heads.

In 2018, some 40 scientists — including 25 “first responders” — from numerous universities, agencies and disciplines, came together in Galveston, Texas, during a symposium sponsored by the FGBNMS, GCOOS, IOOS, the Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON), NOAA Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program and the National Ocean Service to discuss possible causes for this mortality event. (Read more)

Now, Thomas Bright and Stephen Gittings have published a new short article in the Bulletin of Marine Science considering the possibility that the die-off was caused by brine released by a geological fault.

The University of Texas Marine Science Institute, Mission-Aransas National Estuarine Research Reserve, Texas Sea Grant, Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program, NOAA Marine Debris Program and Texas Coastal Bend Surfrider Foundation are hosting the 4th Annual Texas Plastic Pollution Symposium. Registration is free and includes venue, food, student stipends, swag and virtual programming access.

Using genetic samples from NOAA Fisheries’ tissue library, scientists have for the first time sequenced the complete genomes of endangered leatherback and green sea turtles. Their lineages have inhabited the planet for more than 100 million years. The genetic maps published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveal strengths and weaknesses in the species that could help understand their risk from climate change.

The Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences Research and Education in Boothbay, Maine, is offering a new course in the taxonomic identification of harmful algae in U.S. waters Aug. 15-27. The course is designed for local, state, tribal, federal and international HAB managers and analysts seeking expert training in HAB identification.

Have you heard the news? The Gulf of Mexico Alliance has received federal authorization as a regional ocean partnership (ROP). ROPs are organizations voluntarily convened by coastal state governors in collaboration with other governments and stakeholders to address issues of common concern in that region. GOMA is a long-time GCOOS partner and serves as the ROP for the Gulf of Mexico region (Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas).

The Gulf of Mexico Alliance is asking for input on a new survey on incentives for marine debris removal. The short survey seeks to help the GOMA Marine Debris Cross-Team Initiative better understand incentives that have been used to encourage marine debris and litter removal.

Abstract submissions and registration are now open for the Alabama Water Institute’s next symposium: April 6-7, on campus at The University of Alabama.

The theme is “H2O R20: Water Research to Operations,” and features a student poster session, water career fair, oral presentations, faculty workshops and a keynote address from James Spann, award-winning Alabama broadcast meteorologist.

Full STEAM Ahead is a new research project funded by NSF’s GEO Opportunities for Leadership in Diversity. Led by Dr. Michelle Dovil of Howard University, the team is seeking mentees and mentors to help implement a model that leverages established geoscience networks to nurture relationships with the next generation of geoscience and social science leaders. The six-month mentoring commitment includes virtual engagement sessions and attendance at a professional development conference in New Orleans planned for late 2023. Applicants must have three to five years of mentorship experience, at least seven years of experience in science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM), and a commitment to mentoring members of traditionally underrepresented communities. Applications for mentees and mentors are being accepted until March 1.

The Gulf Research Program (GRP) is accepting applications for their Science Policy Fellowship program, which helps scientists hone their skills by putting them to practice for the benefit of Gulf Coast communities and ecosystems. Fellows gain first-hand experience as they spend one year on the staff of federal, state, local, or non-governmental environmental, natural resource, oil and gas, and public health agencies in the Gulf of Mexico region.

The GRP is also offering up to $2 million to support place-based educational activities that increase scientific and environmental literacy and problem-solving skills of youth in the Gulf of Mexico region. Proposals will be accepted from nonprofit, state and local entities that support educational, service, and/or coordination activities for children and youth in the K-8 grade range. Applicants must request at least $75,000 for projects that are up to 30 months long (overhead not to exceed 20%).

The Oceans 2023 Conference and Exposition Gulf Coast is challenging K-5, 6-8, 9-12 & community college students to develop videos highlighting the environmental impact of plastics in their communities. The challenge is for students in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida Panhandle.

Groups or individuals are asked to create a project that brings attention to the problem of plastics in the environment, with an emphasis on oceans and/or the coastal environment, carry out that project, and provide a video that outlines the project and results. The video will be judged by the OCEANS 2023 Outreach Committee Team.

Oceans 2023 is sponsored by the Marine Technology Society and the IEEE Ocean Engineering Society for global maritime professionals to learn, innovate and lead in the protection and utilization of the world’s largest natural resource – oceans.

The Emerging Leaders in Marine Technology Program (EMERGE) is designed to give students and early career professionals (ECOPs) a guided program to enhance their experience at OCEANS conferences. The attendance of students/ECOPs accepted into the EMERGE program will be financially supported by MTS, which can include travel, lodging and meeting registration, depending on the individual needs of the participant.

MTS awards scholarship funding to senior high school, undergraduate and graduate students who are accepted into or enrolled in full-time marine-related programs (with a focus on marine technology, marine engineering, or marine science). This year, MTS is offering scholarships ranging from $1,000-$2,500.

GCOOS maintains a listing of funding opportunities. Have an opportunity you'd like to advertise? Email Laura Caldwell

5-10: Integrating Ocean Physics and Biogeochemistry to Access Polar Ecosystem Sensitivity to Rapid Change, Ventura, California

4-6: Ocean Visions Biennial Summit 2023, Atlanta, Georgia

18: GCOOS Spring Meeting

1-4: MTS Offshore Technology Conference, Houston, TX

22-24: Current-Shelf Interactions Workshop, Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, Georgia

4-9: ASLO Aquatic Sciences Meeting 2023, Palma de Mallorca, Spain

26-29: Gulf of Mexico Alliance All Hands Meeting, Austin, Texas

16-21: Gordon Research Conference, Chemical Tracers in the Sea, Manchester, New Hampshire

21-23: Euro-Global Climate Change Conference, Hybrid, Valencia, Spain

25-28: Oceans Conference and Exposition 2023 Gulf Coast, Mississippi Sound, Mississippi

14-17: 2023 International Ocean Colour Science Meeting, St. Petersburg, Florida

Have meeting or workshop info you want to share? Email Laura Caldwell.

Dr. Jorge Brenner, Executive Director • Dr. Barbara Kirkpatrick, Senior Advisor • Bill Lingsch, Underwater Glider User Group Coordinator • Dr. Chris Simoniello, Outreach & Education Manager • Felimon Gayanilo, Systems Architect, Co-Data Manager • Bob Currier, Product Developer, Co-Data Manager • Dr. Uchenna Nwankwo, Oceanographer • Marion Stoessel, Senior Research Associate • Tuomo Saari, Scientific Computing Specialist • Jennifer Vreeland-Dawson, Research Associate, GCAN Coordinator • Grant Craig, Program & Volunteer Coordinator • Laura Caldwell, Program Assistant • Nadine Slimak, Public Relations & Content Marketing, Vetted Communications, LLC

In Memoriam: Matt Howard, 1952-2018