JANUARY 2012 Update
(also December 2011!)
December-January Highlights
 AOOS Executive Committee – The committee met January 6 and formally accepted funding for several new
grants: $760k from NOAA to develop Arctic data integration and visualization tools for mapping and
planning (Darcy Dugan is project manager), and funding from the Exxon Valdez Oil Spill Trustee Council
(EVOSTC) to provide data management services for the Long Term Monitoring Program and the Herring
Research and Monitoring Program.
 Zdenka Willis visit – National IOOS Program Director Zdenka Willis proved she’s not afraid of an Alaska
winter by visiting Anchorage during our 4th coldest January on record! Zdenka attended sessions of the
Alaska Marine Science Symposium and met with nearly the full AOOS board at an informal luncheon
meeting.
 AMSS – Over 900 people attended this year’s Alaska Marine Science Symposium, which AOOS co-sponsors.
McCammon gave a plenary talk describing the AOOS build-out plan. Dugan organized more than 45 side
meetings and workshops. AOOS also sponsored a student presentation award.
 DMAC Committee - The AOOS Data Management Advisory Committee met January 25 and reviewed recent
progress by the AOOS data team on several new applications, including the revamped Real-Time Sensor
Map, the Ocean Portal, and the Ocean Workspace.
 Cook Inlet Response Tool - A preliminary version of a new application
integrating real-time sensors, models and forecasts, GIS data layers, and
Shorezone video and imagery was released and showcased at AMSS. The
tool demonstrates how all of these data features can be used to help in a
possible oil spill response, or for other planning purposes.
 Ocean Workspace – This new data application, which will be used by the
EVOSTC projects, will be released for beta testing on February 1. The Ocean Workspace helps researchers
store and share data, create metadata, and organize project information. If you’re interested in helping us
test out the new features, let Darcy Dugan ([email protected]) know.
 ADF&G Partnership – Progress was made this week during two meetings with the Alaska Department of
Fish and Game on a pilot project that will make Yukon-Kuskokwim commercial fisheries data more available
to the public, and provide ADF&G fisheries managers with easier access to oceanographic and atmospheric
data for that region.
 Telemetered Animal Network – Rosa Meehan is working on a potential workshop for the fall to bring
together everyone who tags marine animals (fish, marine mammals, seabirds) to discuss developing an
Alaska network.
 Budget News – We’ve received informal word that we will receive the same funding as last year for our
core programs, plus some additional funds for High frequency Radar in the Arctic and support for the
national data management effort. We should get final numbers shortly.
Going Forward – Some Key February 2012 Activities
 Jan 31-Feb 2 North Slope Science Initiative in Fairbanks (McCammon)
 Feb 6-9
Alaska Forum on the Environment (McCammon and Dugan)
 Feb 15
AOOS board meeting in Anchorage & by telecon: approve FY 12 budget
 Feb 18
Alaska SeaLife Center Marine Gala, Anchorage
 Feb 20-24
Ocean Sciences conference, Salt Lake City (McCammon & Shane StClair)
 Feb 28-Mar 1 IOOS RA reviews & NFRA meeting in Silver Spring (McCammon)
Molly McCammon, Darcy Dugan, Rosa Meehan and Rob Bochenek
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