Ocean Report Home Ocean Observations Develop a coordinated, comprehensive system of worldwide ocean observations to support a wide range of societal needs. Recent technological developments have significantly improved ocean- observing systems. Satellites, ships, and buoys collect many kinds of data on and within the ocean, but these observations are not comprehensive.
Gaps exist in coastal, open-ocean, and seafloor data sets.
In addition, the federal programs collecting ocean observations are poorly integrated. Such a system would improve weather forecasting, detect and forecast oceanic components of climate variability, facilitate safe and efficient marine operations, make U.S. ports more competitive, and provide daily tactical support of military operations worldwide. Marine ecosystems and living marine resources would also be better protected if more complete and accurate data were collected on ocean temperature, salinity, and dissolved chemicals and nutrients that affect commercial fish stocks, marine mammals, marine ecosystems, and coastal habitats. An integrated system would make more accurate predictions of natural hazards possible, allowing for mitigation of damage from hurricanes, coastal flooding, icebergs, tsunamis, and seafloor disturbances causing pipeline and telephone cable ruptures. Global ocean observations could even protect public health by collecting the necessary data to understand the fate of pollutants, pathogens, harmful algal blooms, and other health hazards that close our beaches and shellfish beds.