Building on the heritage of the ship-based expeditionary era of the last century, oceanography is commencing a new phase in which research scientists increasingly seek continuous interaction with the ocean environment to adaptively observe the earth-ocean-atmosphere system.  Such approaches are crucial to resolving the full range of episodicity and temporal change central to so many ocean processes that directly impact human society, our climate, and the incredible range of natural phenomena found in the largest ecosystem of the planet.

The Interagency Working Group on Ocean Observations (IWGOO) represents seventeen federal agencies that produce or utilize ocean observations. These systems collect climate and weather data, providing streamlined and integrated information on real-world conditions. As a federal working group promoting collaboration, the IWGOO is committed to promoting ocean observations and models that serve the needs of the public.

The Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology (JSOST) established the IWGOO in coherence with the U.S. Ocean Action Plan. Interagency collaboration is essential to achieving ocean science and technology priorities and, in particular, for planning and coordinating an integrated ocean observation system.

Latest from the Ocean Observing News Archive:

• OOI Authorization Announcement
• DEIMOS Joins MARS and its Satellite of Instruments on Seafloor
• IWG-OO Meeting: December 17, 2009
• IWG-OO Meeting: November 19, 2009
• IWG-OO Meeting: September 17, 2009
• IWG-OO Meeting: August 20, 2009
• IWG-OO Meeting: July 16, 2009
• IWG-OO Meeting: June 18, 2009
• IWG-OO Meeting: December 17, 2009
• OOI PAC Meeting: May 26-27, 2009

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