Website: cioos.ca
Established: March 2019
Type: National System
Membership: 3 CIOOS Regional Associations: Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf of St. Lawrence
Contact: Shayla Fitzsimmons (Atlantic), shayla.fitzsimmons@cioosatlantic.ca; Brad deYoung (Pacific), bdeyoung@cioospacific.ca; Anne-Sophie Ste-Marie (Gulf of St. Lawrence): stemariea@ogsl.ca
Description of the GRA
About
The Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System (CIOOS) is Canada’s nucleus for integrated ocean science and observing activities. Currently consisting of three Regional Associations, it was established in 2019 to make ocean data available and to provide a mechanism for coordination and collaboration in Canada’s ocean observing community. Supported by two key partners (Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Marine Environmental Observation Prediction and Response Network) the focus of CIOOS is on providing open access to high-quality ocean data.
CIOOS engages locally, connects regionally, and coordinates nationally to elevate Canada’s ocean monitoring to the global stage. These partnerships generate information and facilitate place-based solutions to advance our understanding of the ocean. With CIOOS, users can discover, access, and visualize high-quality data through its online platform. CIOOS helps prepare for Canada’s future by unlocking the true potential of our ocean, coasts, and waterways
Governance
CIOOS is governed through a bottom-up approach that emphasizes collaboration and cooperation. Strategic leadership and guidance is provided by three key committees: Executive, Technical, and Communications. Membership consists of representatives from funding partners, operational partners, and each of the Regional Associations as appropriate.
Executive Committee: provides leadership on the direction and activities related to CIOOS, performs priority-setting, and ensures a coordinated approach to activities across the regions.
Technical Committee: provides coordination and oversight of the technical aspects of CIOOS, including standards, protocols, and solution architecture, including initiating and monitoring Task Teams and Collaborative Development teams with specific mandates and deliverables.
Communications Committee: provides strategic leadership on communication undertaken by CIOOS.
Goals
Vision: As Canada’s nucleus for ocean observing, CIOOS makes connections for a sustainable ocean future.
Mission: To foster partnerships and grow a powerful online platform that generates information, knowledge, and place-based solutions to advance our understanding of the ocean.
- Improve access and visibility to high quality observational and model ocean data information.
- Increase collaboration and coordination in the ocean observing community
- Increase national coordination while remaining regionally-focused
- Contribute to evidence-based decision making in the ocean domain
- Support inclusivity within Canadian ocean science and research
- Promote healthy ocean-human interactions
- Promote a sustainable blue economy
- Represent Canada in global ocean observing