Building the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System: Maintaining and enhancing

Regional Associations (RAs) govern Regional Coastal Ocean Observing Systems (RCOOSs), which are elements of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS). Federal monies have been provided for developing governance structures for the RAs. However, to date there has been little federal money for enhancements to the observing system elements of the RCOOSs. This situation may continue for some time. Thus Regional Associations must devise novel approaches to maintaining and enhancing their existing observing systems. This paper summarizes approaches adopted by the RA governing the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS).