GCOOS Executive Director Dr. Jorge Brenner and Laura Bowie, Executive Director of the Gulf of America Alliance (GOAA), have signed an updated memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlining areas of collaboration between the two Gulf-based organizations. The signing ceremony took place during the GOAA All-Hands Plenary Meeting on Tuesday, May 6, in Biloxi, Mississippi.
The Gulf of America Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS) is a 501(c)3 organization responsible for developing a network of business leaders, marine scientists, resource managers, governmental and non-governmental organizations and other stakeholder groups that collect and combine their data to provide timely information about our oceans — similar to the information gathered by the National Weather Service to develop weather forecasts. In 2025, GCOOS is celebrating its 20th anniversary. With members from Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida, GCOOS has established a sustained observing system for the Gulf to provide observations and products needed by users in this region.
GOAA is the Regional Ocean Partnership for the Gulf of America, designated by the governors of the five Gulf States. Since 2004, the partnership network has been dedicated to working on issues common to the Gulf region. The overarching goals of the Alliance continue to be: providing forums for collaboration, developing and modifying tools to address regional issues, enabling strategic partnerships, and tracking restoration efforts. GOAA members include state and federal agencies, local communities, academic organizations, businesses, and non-governmental organizations in the region.
“GCOOS is one of our longest-term partners and a highly valued asset in the region,” Bowie said. “We’re pleased to renew this formal collaboration agreement and continue working to strengthen the region’s initiatives in support of the Gulf’s blue economy and ocean sectors that include resiliency for coastal communities.”
GCOOS and GOAA will work together to:
- Identify opportunities to coordinate on development of data collection, data products and synthesis of information of mutual interest;
- Continue and expand cooperation and align mutual understanding regarding respective organizational roles related to development of data, data portals, data products, and information that inform regional ocean and coastal management;
- Identify opportunities to amplify organizational efforts and leverage relationships to extend access, educate and engage the region’s stakeholders on opportunities for collaborative activities as well as coastal data collection and dissemination, and science priorities;
- Facilitate educational opportunities that mutually benefit both organizational partners and stakeholders.
“Through this updated collaboration agreement, GCOOS and GOAA will enter a second decade of working together on issues important to the Gulf region, including data gathering and data access for stakeholder groups, as well as opportunities for outreach and education for our many coastal communities,” said Brenner. “We look forward to continuing our strong partnership and working together to support Gulf communities through our shared goals and initiatives.”
About GCOOS
GCOOS is one of 11 regional associations that partner with the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System, U.S. IOOS®, a federal, regional, private sector partnership committed to tracking, predicting, managing and adapting to changes in our ocean, coastal and Great Lakes environments. GCOOS data is certified by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), meaning that the organization meets rigorous standards for data gathering and management practices and operates transparently and with stakeholder guidance to help determine Gulf system priorities. GCOOS has 36 principal investigators and 62 partners providing data from 1,730 sensors via 447 regional and federal stations. GCOOS has 181 institutional and individual members. www.GCOOS.org
About the Gulf of America Alliance
The Gulf of America Alliance is a regional partnership focused on enhancing the environmental and economic health of the region through increased collaboration. Led by the five Gulf states, the network includes more than 165 participating organizations from state and federal agencies, local governments, communities, academia, non-governmental organizations and industry. Working with these partners, GOAA addresses priority issues including coastal community resilience; data and monitoring; education; habitat; water resources; wildlife and fisheries; and marine debris. www.GulfOfAmericaAlliance.org
