Enabling ocean enterprise development through IOOS

Discussions surrounding the development of an Ocean Enterprise have continued since the 1980s. While interest and engagement in ocean science and application have increased over the years-particularly as technologies have advanced- actual development of the Ocean Enterprise has not advanced significantly. Fundamentally a gap in the needed partnerships persists, preventing greater benefit to our economy and society as a whole. The U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), through its national and regional components, represents a bridge to cross the gap and enable the development of an ocean enterprise. The Mid-Atlantic Regional Association Coastal Ocean Observing System (MARACOOS or Mid-Atlantic IOOS) would be an excellent test bed for developing the partnerships and innovation necessary to develop the ocean enterprise. MARACOOS partners have experienced important successes in serving the various stakeholder communities since its establishment in 2005. However, a greater focus is needed on new, innovative partnerships that draw in private sector partners and further leverage resources for technology test beds, as well as the development of information products tailored to specific users by the private sector with the support of IOOS regional associations, like MARACOOS, and their broad cross-section of partners from government, academic, and non-profit sectors. MARACOOS will launch an enhanced focus on these publicprivate partnerships through a new Innovation Council and adaptive framework for focused opportunity response. This effort will seek broader recognition of IOOS across the government, strengthen existing and create new strategic partnerships with private sector firms, and grow the abilities and reach of MARACOOS/IOOS partners in their areas of expertise. These partnerships will address specific challenges and opportunities in the broad areas of inundation, flooding, resiliency, and weather-related issues, water quality and public health related issues, maritime safety, fisheries and ecological decision support tools, and energy-related challenges-all with an eye on developing an ocean enterprise that advances technology, develops a stronger economy, and facilities society's ability to manage and benefit from its ocean and coastal resources. The lessons learned in the Mid-Atlantic can serve as a model for transfer to and scalability in other regions.