Measurements should be made in a rational fashion, with spatial and temporal sampling tuned to address the issues. Further, measurements should be made with the precision, accuracy, and care in calibration required to provide continuity in the quality of data in space and time even though different methodologies may be used. Subject to continuing examination . Trade-offs must be subjected to evaluation on a continuing basis to take advantage of new knowledge and technology. The ability for users to access and retrieve observations with sufficient timeliness to meet their needs.
Some requirements are for real-time data delivery.
In other cases substantial quality control will require lapsed time between measurement and data delivery. The observation tasks should be carried out by trained staff, responsible for acquisition and quality control of data and the dissemination of products. However, the implementation and maintenance of a truly integrated national observing system can not be effected in seven parts. Initially at least, the system will be composed of an open ocean subsystem and a subsystem for coastal waters, supplemented by the required common infrastructure. Here coastal waters include the U.S. EEZ and estuaries, bays, sounds, and the Great Lakes.