The Group on Earth Observations (GEO) Oceans and Society Coastal Ocean Pilot Project for the Caribbean Region is a response to the need for a Pilot Project to demonstrate the added value of an end-to-end System of Systems for Ecosystem-Based Approaches for monitoring and managing the coastal zone (GEO 2012 – 2015 Work Plan, SB-01-C4-02 [1]). The Pilot Project design will be based on principles established by the Group on Earth Observations “Oceans and Society: Blue Planet [2]” task and developed in collaboration with the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) Regional Alliance (GRA) for the Caribbean, IOCARIBE-GOOS [3]. It will incorporate concepts and recommendations from GOOS Pub. 193, Requirements for Global Implementation of the Strategic Plan for Coastal GOOS [4], and will be tailored to provide meaningful and sustainable value for Caribbean Region marine ecosystems and the populations they impact. The Design document will be developed in increasingly detailed stages, with distribution, review, and comment at each stage, leading to a final Design Plan, at which time we will seek approval to move ahead with GEO support for implementation planning and financing.

1. A GEO Blue Planet
Coastal Ocean Pilot
Project for the Caribbean
Region
Doug Wilson
IOCARIBE-GOOS Project Coordinator
GEO Blue Planet Symposium
Cairns, QLD, Australia
May 2015

2. About IOCARIBE and IOCARIBE-GOOS
IOCARIBE is the IOC Sub-Commision for the Caribbean and
Adjacent Regions
• IOCARIBE-GOOS was established in 1999 at IOCARIBE VI, based on input
from a Regional Users Workshop
• ad hoc Group of Experts drafted Strategic Plan (The Case for IOCARIBE-
GOOS, GOOS Report No. 115, UNESCO, 2002). Heavily focused on Coastal
GOOS
• Accepted as a GOOS Regional Alliance by I-GOOS in 2003.
• Initial support from GOOS Project Office
• Transition to Implementation through Steering Committee
• No consistent funding except for occasional (but welcome!) contributions
from member states (US, MX, COL, CU, VZ, …)
• Present Status - Re-organized, SC is IOCARIBE Members,
awaiting appointment of Working Group of Experts to move
forward; Volunteer project coordinator.

4. Component 4 of the Marine Task in GEO suggests a pilot project in a priority
domain…
“… in accordance with a PICO/Coastal GOOS Report (2012) recommendation.
This will demonstrate the value added of an end-to-end system of systems for
ecosystem-based approaches for monitoring and managing the coastal zone.
The end-to-end system of systems pilot project to support ecosystem-based
approaches (EBAs) for the coastal zone will be coordinated with GOOS
(especially the relevant GOOS Regional Associations) and other global and
regional observing system networks and entities as articulated in the PICO
Plan.”
I am here to suggest the Caribbean region as an ideal location for that pilot
project, and to ask for support, collaboration, and advice in developing,
promoting, and implementing such a project.
The Pilot Project will have its foundations within C4, Services for the Coastal
Zone, but by its nature must meet the needs of other components as well.
The project must utilize existing capabilities; help match those capabilities
to existing needs; provide a framework for further expansion; show clear
value to promote engagement; and it must be sustainable.

5. IOCARIBE-GOOS did form out of a regional users workshop; the need
was clear then and even clearer today.
The economic and social welfare of the Caribbean population is highly
dependent on the health and security of the marine environment.
Fifteen of the IOCARIBE member states are Small Island Developing
States; four other member states support non-independent small island
states in the region.
The majority of the population inhabits the coastal zone, and they rely on
tourism, fisheries, marine transportation, and other coastal resources for
their livelihood and sustenance.
The region’s biological resources display a high level of biodiversity and
endemism.
These resources are increasingly threatened by climate-related changes
in temperature and ocean acidification, overexploitation, management
practices poorly informed by data, and natural hazards.

6. Some ongoing regional success stories…
…and some other reasons the Caribbean is a ready and appropriate
location to support a GEO Pilot Project.
Caribbean Sea Level Network
Caribbean Tsunami Warning System Plan was developed in mid 1990’s
The IOCARIBE-GOOS Implementation plan in 2003 identified Water Level as
a zero-order variable for an initial focus on support and integration
In 2004 IOCARIBE-GOOS supported a study of the status of the Caribbean
Sea Level Network (based on the 63 stations identified by TWS plan)
Thanks to US State Dept and WW2BW in 2005 for $100K grant to support IOCARIBE-GOOS Implementation

7. (potential) Caribbean Sea Level Network
ref. IOCARIBE Tsunami Proposal Annex III
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 CPACC
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RONMAC
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 US NWLON
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IOC/UNEP
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UK
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 FRANCE
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MEXICO
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 CUBA
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SMITH. INST
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 PANAMA
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VENEZ
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IOC
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FIN
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
CUR

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
NOAA
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DOM REP
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
NOAA

8. Caribbean Sea Level Network
Status reported GLOSS IX 02/05
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 NOT OPERATIONAL
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OPER / XMIT
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OPER / NO XMIT
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 UNKNOWN
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


9. Caribbean Sea Level Network
Status reported GLOSS IX 02/05

 






 
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OPER / XMIT



10. Caribbean Sea Level Network (cont.)
Report came out coincident with 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami
Tsunami led to implementation of Caribbean Tsunami Warning System
IOCARIBE-GOOS led Sea Level Work Group (implementation plan,
lessons learned)
• Make water level system a component of an operational system (tsunami, other
warnings, other data products) of recognized importance
• Make sure system contributes real-time products (including other than WL if
possible) at local levels
• Build local capacity in data analysis and use as well as technical ability
• Promote ownership by requiring local investment (assures ties to purchasing
institution)
• Explore technological changes for more robust and more useful installations
• Next steps in Caribbean region likely tied to TWS
Credit to IOC Tsunami Program, IOCARIBE Member States, Puerto Rico Seismic
Network, NOAA NWS, and many others

12. Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem Project (CLME)
Very successful (now in second phase) GEF funded intiative
REMP (Regional Environmental Monitoring Program) is in need of support.

13. As well - hopefully also in part due to the efforts of IOCARIBE-GOOS –
there has been an increase in number and capability of National GOOS and
marine observing and forecasting programs.
One that we know is due to IOCARIBE-GOOS efforts is the US IOOS
Regional Association for the Caribbean Region, CariCOOS – which has a
strong interest in supporting GOOS activities in the international Caribbean
as well.
USA* Members but active in other GRAs
BRA*
COL* National GOOS Programs
CUB
MEX*
DR Observations / Forecasts with some
PAN* National Organization
VEN
T&T
CR*
BAR
* GEO Members
HAITI Scattered Observations and
GUA Forecasts
HON*
ARU ` NIC GUY JAM
BEL*
BAH*
A&B OECS Small Isl Developing States
SKN
DOM STL GRN SVG
UK* CAY, MON, BVI, BER, T&C, ANG
FR* SaM, MAR, GDL
NED* SiM, SAB, CUR, BON

14. SISCOM: OPEN LATERAL BOUNDARY CONDITIONS
DOMAIN: GULF
IRREGULAR GRID: 3.6 to 1.8 km
DOMAIN: CUBA
GRID: 800 x 900 m
G U L F
O F
M E X I C O
C U B A
GRID: 1 KM
GRID: 0,1 KM

17. Many other successful programs have been initiated in the past 15 years that
can either contribute (System of Systems) or be users for an integrated
observing system.
Caribbean Community Climate Change Center (Coastal Monitoring, Climate Change)
ICRI GCRMN, CARICOMP, etc.
CARIOCA
Caribbean Coastal Data Centre (UWI JAM)
IOC Programs
• ODINCARSA
• Caribbean Marine Atlas
• CoML
* Funding – usually foreign aid, NGOs, IGOs, IADB/WB/GEF – most often goes to
programs with focused scope and targeted outcomes - but seldom to integrate and
leverage those programs. This is the gap that GEO could fill.

18. NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch combines research, in situ
observations, and remote sensing to to assess and forecast
potential damage to coral reefs by high water temperatures.

19. NOAA CoastWatch

20. There are also numerous strong regional or sub-regional programs
led by
• Intergovernmental Organizations (CARICOM, OAS)
• NGOs (Large TNC, Small CARIBSAVE)
• Foundations (dozens)
• Regional governments
• NED NOW 12.5M€ Caribbean Research grants 2014 –
• US NOAA Integrated Coral Observing Network / Coral Reef Watch, CoastWatch
• GEO – GEOSS in the Americas, CZCP
• IADB / WB / GEF
Even developing presence of private value added contributors

22. The Way Forward
The document, Requirements for Global Implementation of the Strategic Plan
for Coastal GOOS, comprehensively describes the elements of an Integrated
Coastal Observing System (System of Systems) supporting Ecosystem
Approaches to Sustainable Development.
This document, along with Regional GOOS strategies and ongoing activities,
and a thorough understanding of relevant Caribbean Regional activities,
priorities, and capabilities, will form the basis for Pilot Project Design.
The ideal (pilot) observing system will:
• Be based on the GOOS model of observing, data management, and
product/model/forecast subsystems;
• Adhere to the Coastal GOOS priority of sustained provision of data and
information to inform Ecosystem Based Approaches (EBAs) for
management decisions relating to human use of ecosystem resources,
goods, and services;
• Include identification of priority indicators of ecosystem state to guide
observing requirement and essential variables to be observed;
• Extend from watersheds through estuaries, coastal zones, shelves, to
open ocean.

23. The Way Forward (cont.)
Based on an ideal Regional Observing System, the Pilot Project should be
developed for proof of concept – with ultimate goals of expansion within
the region and replication in other regions. The Pilot Project should:
Be a significant subset of the ideal system that utilizes and improves
existing resources;
Have measurable outcomes with continuous metrics;
Utilize new technologies
Have a focus on delivering useful products to decision-makers in an
understandable and timely fashion;
Support capacity building and research and development to fill priority
spatial and temporal gaps;
Be sustainable and expandable;
Be conceptually transferable to other geographies.

24. The Way Forward (cont.)
Presently developing, over the next several months, a proposed pilot project
design that will take advantage of:
• These aforementioned available resources
• A System of Systems approach
• GEO Blue Planet programs and PICO principles
• Structuring as an expandable, replicable system
• The importance of shared (tools, standards, resources, training, and
data) to allow local use and value added product development
• Emphasis on outreach and socialization to insure broad, diverse, grass
roots support [early investment in outreach >> observations]
• As an example, I just gave this talk yesterday by Skype to IOCARBE XIII
General Assembly, supporting a resolution by that body to support the
concept. Also preparing project summary in Spanish and English for
comment to a distribution list > 500 individuals active in the region.

25. Summary
The Caribbean region would benefit – perhaps as much as any region on the
globe – from the implementation of a Coastal Zone Services pilot project.
There are established programs to provide component systems and users,
and a record of successful integration when funds are available.
It will require support within the region and the Blue Planet program
community.
We are identifying available programmatic and human resources to engage in
the development of a concept document.

26. The ‘Design of a GEO Blue Planet Coastal Ocean Pilot Project for the
Caribbean Region’ Concept Document will be circulated for information
and feedback purposes to a wide range of interests within the region. It
is important to develop consensus support from regional partners.
Steps include early discussion at IOCARIBE XIII and GEO Blue Planet.
Feedback will be considered in the development of a full White Paper in
2015 for further dissemination.
A final design, incorporating comments on the White Paper, will be
completed. At that point it would be nice to be in a position where a
support team can be formed which will seek approval to move ahead,
with Blue Planet partners’ support, for implementation planning and
financing.

30. Actions
• Contribute ideas and comments (Design plan will be distributed to
regional and GEO community)
• Endorsement from IOCARIBE members (IOCARIBE XIII and IOC
recommendations); regional organizations; GEO Blue Planet (can this
be a C4 pilot?)
• Support and organize – will only work if full support structure is in place
to fully develop and implement. Not a task to be taken on lightly.