Stakeholders

AOOS stakeholders and users include:

• Mariners, fishermen and subsistence users who must make decisions that affect their livelihood and safety;
• Search and rescue operations planning effective strategies to save lives;
• Scientists studying Alaska’s ocean ecosystems;
• Coastal security operations ensuring the safety of Alaska’s ports and waters;
• Resource managers seeking ways to use and sustain resources for the future;
• Educators seeking to convey the complexity and connectedness of Alaska’s oceans; and
• All those who ply Alaska’s oceans for their livelihood, subsistence or recreation.

A formal stakeholder/user committee is in the development stage. The terms of reference are available below. To help set priorities for the AOOS FY11-15 5-year plan, expertise and guidance was drawn from a larger base of stakeholders through a series of thematic workshops.

Stakeholder / user committee terms of reference (approved by Board, Nov. 2009)

Thematic Stakeholder Workshops

Stakeholder workshops on IOOS themes were held in May 2010. At each workshop, 20-25 participants from a variety of backgrounds came together to discuss priorities. These included both data users and data providers, representing federal and state agencies, industry, non-profits, and academia.

Coastal erosion in Alaska

Coastal Hazards Workshop

Participants at this workshop discussed data and modeling needs for dealing with coastal hazards in Alaska. The purpose was to help develop a strategic plan for ocean observing activities to provide weather, waves, currents and access to information that may aid safe, efficient and environmentally sound maritime operations in Alaska. AOOS will use the recommendations from the workshop for proposals and collaborations with other entities.

• Coastal Hazards Workshop Summary and Participant List

Ecosystems & Climate Change Workshop

Participants met to develop a strategic plan for ocean observing activities that will provide data, information products, and model forecasts on climate variability and trends useful for ecosystem management.

• Ecosystems Workshop Summary and Participant List

Marine Operations Workshop

Participants discussed data and modeling needs for marine operations. The purpose was to help develop a strategic plan for ocean observing activities to provide weather, waves, currents and access to information that may aid safe, efficient and environmentally sound maritime operations in Alaska. AOOS will use workshop recommendations for proposals and collaborations with other entities.

• Marine Operations Workshop Summary and Participant List