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Coastal Links

One of COAST’s mandates is to be a clearinghouse for marine and coastal data, information and programs. These pages provide links to national, state and regional ocean and coastal data and information, programs, and agencies.

International

Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)
GOOS is a permanent global system for observations, modeling and analysis of marine and ocean variables to support operational ocean services worldwide.

Group on Earth Observations (GEO)
GEO is a voluntary partnership of governments and international organizations. It provides a framework within which these partners can develop new projects and coordinate their strategies and investments.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPPC)
Established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate C​​hange (IPCC) is the leading international body for the assessment of climate change.

International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES)
ICES coordinates and promotes marine research on oceanography, the marine environment, the marine ecosystem, and on living marine resources in the North Atlantic.

International Programme on the State of the Ocean
The International Programme on the State of the Ocean (IPSO) was established by scientists with the aim of saving the Earth and all life on it.

IMBER Data Management Cookbook - a Project Guide to Good Data Practices (.pdf, 414 KB)
Produced by the Integrated Marine Biogeochemistry and Ecosystem Research (IMBER) Data Management Committee, the "Cookbook" is a compendium of recipes to make data management digestible.

ISIS Consortium
The ISIS (In-Situ Iron Studies) Consortium is a group of institutions and scientists who are motivated to answer the unknowns regarding the role of iron in regulating the ocean’s capacity to remove atmospheric carbon dioxide.

Surface Ocean CO2 Atlas (SOCAT)
SOCAT a global surface CO2 data set that brings together, in a common format, all publicly available CO2 data for the surface oceans.

UNESCO Marine Spatial Planning Initiative
This United Nations initiative brings together marine spatial planning examples, approaches and resources from around the world.

National

California Current Acidification Network (C-CAN)
A collaborative effort between members of the West Coast shellfish industry and scientists to explore what is causing shellfish losses on the Pacific coast.

Coastal Data Information Program (CDIP)
CDIP measures, analyzes, archives and disseminates coastal environment data for use by coastal engineers, planners, resource managers, scientists and mariners.

Coastal Observing Research and Development Center (CORDC)
CORDC focuses on the development of new technologies and their application for basic and applied sciences.

Consortium for Ocean Leadership
The Consortium for Ocean Leadership is a Washington, DC-based nonprofit organization that represents 94 of the leading public and private ocean research and education institutions, aquaria and industry with the mission to advance research, education and sound ocean policy.

EarthCube
EarthCube is a community-based project to create a knowledge management system and infrastructure that integrates all geosciences data in an open, transparent and inclusive manner.

Integrated Ocean Observing Syste​m
The Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) provides continuous data on our open oceans, coastal waters, and Great Lakes to scientists, managers, businesses, governments, and the public to support research and inform decision-making.

Joint Ocean Commission Initiative (JOCI)
JOCI works with people and organizations at the national, regional, state, and local levels to effect meaningful ocean policy reform.

Lenfest Ocean Program
The Lenfest Ocean Program supports scientific research on living marine resources to inform policy.

Marine Advanced Technology Education (MATE) Center
MATE works through regional partnerships to help to create new curricula, collect information from employers, and share 'best practices' related to Marine Technology Education.

Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch
The Monterey Bay Aquarium developed Seafood Watch, a program designed to raise consumer awareness about the importance of buying seafood from sustainable sources.

Multipurpose Marine Cadastre (MMC)
An integrated marine information system that provides jurisdictional, legal, physical, ecological, and human use data in a common geographic information system (GIS) framework. The MMC was designed specifically to support renewable energy siting on the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf but is also being used for other ocean-related efforts, including coastal and marine spatial planning.

National Ocean Council
The National Ocean Council provides sustained, high-level, and coordinated attention to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes issues and focuses on actions to advance the integrated National Policy for the stewardship of the ocean, our coasts, and the Great Lakes.

National Ocean Economics Program
The National Ocean Economics Program (NOEP) provides a full range of the most current economic and socio-economic information available on changes and trends along the U.S. coast and in coastal waters.

Pew Charitable Trusts-Protecting Ocean Life
The Pew Charitable Trusts’ marine work is aimed at preserving the biological integrity of marine ecosystems.

Restore America's Estuaries
Restore America's Estuaries is a national nonprofit organization established as an alliance of eleven community-based conservation organizations working to protect and restore the vital habitats of our nation’s estuaries.

U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy
The Commission’s mandate was to establish findings and develop recommendations for a new and comprehensive national ocean policy.

U.S. Global Change Research Program
The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) coordinates and integrates federal research on changes in the global environment and their implications for society.

University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS)
An organization of 61 academic institutions and National Laboratories involved in oceanographic research and joined for the purpose of coordinating oceanographic ships' schedules and research facilities.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI): Frequently Asked Questions About Ocean Acidification
WHOI has collected and organized input from 63 scientists representing 47 institutions and 12 countries to produce a concise summary of the state of ocean acidification knowledge.

State

California Climate Change Portal
This website contains information on the effects of climate change on California and the state's policies relating to global warming.

California Coastal Commission
The Coastal Commission, in partnership with coastal cities and counties, plans and regulates the use of land and water in the coastal zone.

California Coastal Ocean Currents Monitoring Program (COCMP)
COCMP is a state-funded ocean surface current mapping program.​

California Council on Science and Technology
The California Council on Science and Technology (CCST) offers expert advice to the state government and recommends solutions to science and technology-related policy issues.

California Natural Resources Agency
To restore, protect and manage the state's natural, historical and cultural resources for current and future generations using creative approaches and solutions based on science, collaboration and respect for all the communities and interests involved.

California Ocean Protection Council
The California Ocean Protection Council (OPC) helps coordinate and improve the protection and management of California's ocean and coastal resources.

California Ocean Resources Management Program
The California Ocean Resources Management Program ensures comprehensive and coordinated management, conservation and enhancement of California's ocean resources.

California Ocean Science Trust
OST's mission is to ensure that the best available science is applied to California policies and ocean management to successfully maintain a healthy, resilient, and productive ocean and coast.

California Sea Grant
California Sea Grant supports science-based management, conservation and enhancement of California's coastal and aquatic resources through research, extension and education.

Marine Life Protection Act
The Marine Life Protection Act (MLPA) directs the state to reevaluate and redesign California’s system of marine protected areas (MPAs).

Pacific Institute
The Pacific Institute is a nonpartisan research institute that works to advance environmental protection, economic development, and social equity.

Reef Check California 
Reef Check California aims to build a network of informed and involved citizens who support the sustainable use and conservation of our nearshore marine resources by training volunteers to carry out surveys of nearshore reefs providing data on the status of key indicator species.

State Coastal Conservancy
The California Coastal Conservancy is a state agency that uses entrepreneurial techniques to purchase, protect, restore, and enhance coastal resources, and provide access to the shore.

Thank You Ocean
“Thank You Ocean” is a statewide campaign to instill in Californians a sense of personal connection and responsibility to our ocean and coast.

West Coast Governors' Agreement on Ocean Health
Information, documents and contact information related to the historic West Coast Governors’ Agreement on Ocean Health, September 18, 2006.

Regional

AltaSea - Port of Los Angeles
The Port of Los Angeles is proposing to build AltaSea, a premier facility for marine research and business development.

Center for Ocean Solutions (COS)
COS is a joint effort between Stanford University, Monterey Bay Aquarium and MBARI focused on finding practical and enduring solutions to the greatest challenges facing the oceans.

Central and Northern California Ocean Observing System (CeNCOOS)
CeNCOOS is a regional organization tha​​t coordinates ocean observation activities in Northern and Central California.

Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
The Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary is in the Santa Barbara Channel in southern California.

Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary
The Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary is off the northern California coast.

Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary
The Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary is off the northern and central California coast.

Marine Applied Research & Exploration (MARE)
MARE is a non-profit providing technology and offshore operations expertise needed to see and work in deepwater marine environments.

MARINE (Monterey Area Research Institutions' Network for Education)
MARINE is a project sponsored by the Center for Ocean Solutions to enhance graduate marine education.

Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is off the central California coast.

Point Blue
Point Blue is dedicated to conserving birds, other wildlife and ecosystems through innovative scientific research and outreach.

San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (San Francisco Bay NERR)
Part of a network of 27 reserves established for long-term research, education and stewardship of the nation's estuaries.

San Francisco Estuary Institute (SFEI) 
SFEI fosters the development of the scientific understanding needed to protect and enhance the San Francisco Estuary.

Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System (SCCOOS)
SCCOOS brings together coastal observations in the Southern California Bight.

Southern California Coastal Water Research Project (SCCWRP) 
A research institute focusing on the coastal ecosystems of Southern California from watersheds to the ocean.

Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve (Tijuana River NERR)
Part of a network of 27 reserves established for long-term research, education and stewardship of the nation's estuaries.

University of Southern California Sea Grant
The "Urban Ocean Program" has served the Los Angeles area for over 30 years funding research, outreach and education programs focused on a healthy and vibrant coastal ocean.

Please contact COAST Staff with suggestions for additional links.