Home About NFRA Board and Executive Committee meeting minutes, bylaws, and other administrative information. About IOOS The Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) provides data and information on current and future states of the oceans and Great Lakes. Info for RAs Information pertinent to Regional Associations. Success Stories Find out more about regional successes. NFRA BoardNFRA Board members, bylaws and policies. CommitteesNFRA committees and working groups. MeetingsFind meeting minutes and presentations here. Communication ResourcesTools and information for communicating IOOS messages. Contact UsContact lists for RAs and committees such as DMAC, Modeling, and Education. LinksLinks related to ocean observing.
Who is NFRA?
NFRA is a non-profit organization formed by the Regional Associations for Coastal and Ocean Observing in support of the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS). IOOS is a national program created to ensure the sustained observation of our nation's coastal oceans and to develop information products from those observations to assist people in their lives and livelihoods. IOOS is both a national system and a network of regional systems.
The NFRA Mission
- Develop Regional Associations for coastal and ocean observing to deliver scientific data and information on the nation’s oceans;
- Promote the integration and coordination the regional systems into a integrated national system to enhance observational and predictive abilities in ocean science;
- Develop regional programs through capacity building, exchange of technical information, and sharing of facilities and infrastructure; and
- Educate the public about ocean observing and its importance to the nation.
Regional Associations (RAs)
Eleven RAs serve the nation’s coastal communities including the Great Lakes, the Caribbean and the Pacific Islands and territories. RAs meet the diverse needs of users throughout the US through the design and operation of Regional Coastal Ocean Observation Systems (RCOOS). Together, the national and regional components form an integrated system:
- Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS)
- Caribbean Regional Association (CaRA)
- Central and Northern California Ocean Observing System (CeNCOOS)
- Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS)
- Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS)
- Mid-Atlantic Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (MACOORA)
- Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Systems (NANOOS)
- Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal and Ocean Observing Systems (NERACOOS)
- Pacific Regional Integrated Ocean Obsering System (PacIOOS)
- Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System (SCCOOS)
- Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA)
Governance
NFRA represents the RAs at the federal level and coordinates the development of RCOOSs according to IOOS design principles. Each member RA appoints two representatives to serve on the Board of Directors, and each RA has one vote. The Board may elect non-voting members from interested organizations. The Bboard meets in the spring and fall of each year.
For more information, contact Josie Quintrell, Director | tel 207 725 8143
