Governance

Governance of the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS) is provided through a Regional Association. U.S. institutions or individuals who are actively engaged in conducting observations of the Gulf of Mexico coastal environment or who are end users of data, products, or services resulting from these observing programs may become Parties to the Association by signing the GCOOS Memorandum of Agreement. Non-U.S. entities can become non-voting Associates by signing.

The organizational structure of the Regional Association is shown in the figure. Members of the Board of Directors are elected to staggered three-year terms by the voting Parties (representatives of U.S. organizations) under the supervision of the Membership Committee. The Board elects its Executive Committee and appoints members to the Councils and Committees. The GCOOS Office consists of a Regional Coordinator, a Data Management and Communication Coordinator, and an Associate and web mistress. The Operations Center does not yet exist, but it is under development with support received from competitive proposals funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.