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Join GCOOS Today and Help Guide Ocean Observing in the Gulf!

In the early days of ocean observing in the Gulf, many organizations were using instruments to gather data with little ability to share real-time and near real-time information quickly and easily with others. But visionaries recognized the need to develop systems that would allow datasets to be shared quickly and easily — often in automated, machine-to-machine interfaces. They also recognized the need for a centralized organization to house, archive and disseminate the data. Today, GCOOS coordinates information gathered by partners running nearly 2,000 sensors in the Gulf’s coastal waters to the deep ocean, ensuring that it is timely, reliable, accurate and available to all who need it for no cost and is the only certified, comprehensive data collection and dissemination center for coastal and ocean data in the Gulf. It is the regional component of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System.

GCOOS Member Benefits & Roles

GCOOS can help you and your organization:

  • By connecting you to a community of practitioners, key experts, decision-makers and stakeholders;
  • Disseminate and leverage your monitoring or observing data through the GCOOS data portal;
  • Increase public and professional awareness of your activities and programs and help you gain broader impacts by sharing your data more widely through targeted outreach and communications support;
  • By providing letters of support for proposals.

In return, GCOOS Members help guide development of the organization by:

  • Providing input on the development of needed data products;
  • Electing the Board of Directors (Voting Members only);
  • Running for a seat on the Board of Directors (Voting Members only);
  • Participating in GCOOS councils, committees and task teams.

About GCOOS Membership

GCOOS members typically come from institutions or are individuals who are actively engaged in some aspect of coastal ocean observing system elements in the Gulf of Mexico or are principal end users of data, products or services from the organization. There are two membership types:

Voting Members

  • Represent a signatory organization and/or
  • Are individuals who provide funding to the GCOOS-RA in the form of an annual monetary contribution of at least $200 (USD) or an annual in-kind contribution (eg. personnel, equipment) valued at or greater than $200 (USD).

For these purposes, a “signatory organization” is defined as an entity that coordinates and carries out business, academic, governmental, or non-governmental organizational activities and has a formalized relationship with GCOOS.

Voting Membership Benefits

Voting Members may:

  • Vote in elections of the Board of Directors or run for election to the Board;
  • Suggest members to the GCOOS Councils, Committees and Task Teams;
  • Request letters of support from GCOOS for proposals;
  • Attend GCOOS meetings, especially the spring and fall members’ meetings.

Non-Voting Membership Benefits

Individuals who do not choose to make an annual contribution are welcomed as Non-Voting Members who may:

Membership for Non-U.S. Organizations or Individuals

  • Non-U.S. organizations or individuals who meet the same criteria as those listed above for Voting or Non-Voting Membership are also welcome to join GCOOS.

Resignation

Voting or Non-Voting Members may resign at any time by giving written notice to the Executive Director.

Membership Fee

  • For Organizations: There is no financial obligation for an organization to join GCOOS. The organization is classified as a voting member and appoints an individual to represent its interests.
  • For Individual Voting Members: To become voting members, individuals must provide funding to GCOOS in the form of an annual monetary contribution of at least $200 (USD) or an annual in-kind contribution (eg. personnel, equipment) valued at or greater than $200 (USD).
  • For Individual Non-Voting Members: There is no fee to join.

How do I join?

  • Simply fill out the form below!
GCOOS Membership Form
Name
Name
First Name
Last Name
Address
Address
City
State/Province
Zip/Postal
Country
Who are you representing as a member?
Do you wish to become a voting or non-voting member?

Background

The Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) is an intergovernmental system of marine observations, data management, analysis and production and delivery of data, products and services to users for socioeconomic benefit. GOOS is coordinated through a group of United Nations agencies, led by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO. Some 100 coastal nations are participants. In the U.S., the lead participating/coordinating agency in GCOOS is the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS).

IOOS consists of an end-to-end system of observations, data management and production and delivery of products and services designed to meet these national needs: detecting and forecasting oceanic components of climate variability; facilitating safe and efficient marine operations; ensuring national security; managing resources for sustainable use; preserving and restoring healthy marine ecosystems; predicting and mitigating against coastal hazards; and ensuring public health and safety. IOOS helped establish and manage 11 regional associations responsible for meeting those needs. The regional observing system for the Gulf of Mexico is the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS).

The GCOOS Regional Association

In January 2005, participants in the ocean observing community in the Gulf of Mexico signed a formal Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to establish GCOOS as the governance organization for a Gulf observing system. GCOOS-RA is committed to:

  1. Providing integrated, remotely sensed and in-situ information about the northern Gulf of Mexico coastal region and related ecosystems in real or near real time for use by researchers, managers, military, industry, educators and others seeking to understand this coastal environment, manage ocean and littoral resources, and develop commercial uses of marine resources, data and information;
  2. Developing new sensor technologies;
  3. Stimulating innovation and supporting commerce.

In February 2012, the GCOOS-RA filed to become a nonprofit, member-based Texas corporation, which also received nonprofit status under Section 501(c)(3) of the U. S. Internal Revenue Code retroactive as of the date of formation. The organizational bylaws are based on the MOA, which is incorporated by reference.

  • View GCOOS Bylaws and other governance documents here

The bylaws describe the functions and responsibilities and enable the corporation to function as the regional node for integrating and coordinating coastal and ocean observing activities in the Gulf of Mexico. This is accomplished, in part, through collaborative, coordinated efforts by the members of the corporation, each of which has an interest in the coasts and oceans of the Gulf of Mexico. The bylaws also provide a framework for members to work cooperatively to accomplish their individual and common missions and to enhance broad user access to ocean knowledge, data, tools and products.

In 2018, GCOOS received official certification from the U.S. IOOS and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Certification means that GCOOS implements specific data collection and management practices, including following a thorough vetting and documentation process that meets federal standards for data gathering and management. It also means that GCOOS operates inclusively, transparently and seeks user input to determine system priorities. In May 2023, GCOOS was re-certified for another five-year period.