Ocean Observing in the Northeast (NERACOOS)

The Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems (NERACOOS) is a nonprofit organization focused on ocean observation activities for a region spanning from the coastal waters from the Canadian Maritime Provinces to the New York Bight. NERACOOS supports a network of people and technology to provide near real-time ocean and weather data, as well as informational and forecasting tools to help stakeholders understand current and future conditions in the region.

One of eleven regional associations under NOAA's national Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) program, NERACOOS advances many observation and scientific efforts in our region. The information and data collected through NERACOOS helps to improve understanding of ocean acidification and harmful algal blooms, regional biodiversity, and coastal flooding risks. It also serves to improve water quality monitoring procedures.

As the Data Management and Cyberinfrastructure (DMAC) team, the GMRI Ocean Data Products crew functions as the data arm for NERACOOS efforts, which includes working closely with data providers to ensure the data complies with appropriate data formats, and ensuring data and quality control standards and protocols. The NERACOOS data management system is certified as a Regional Information Coordination Entity by IOOS — meaning the data collected and distributed by NERACOOS are managed according to the best practices as identified by NOAA.

As a result, the data managed and curated through NERACOOS are interoperable and aggregated in region-wide products.