Current Topics                                   

• Regional Ocean Observation Assoc. Elects Exec. Committee
• S.C. Coastal Information Web Portal Launched
• S.C. Sea Grant Board of Directors Meeting Scheduled
  

Regional Ocean Observation Association Elects Executive Committee

Charleston, S.C.—The Board of Directors of the Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA) elected its five-member Executive Committee. SECOORA coordinates ocean observation activities in the Southeast region, ensuring that end-user needs are met.

The Executive Committee’s chair is M. Richard DeVoe, executive director of the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium in Charleston, S.C. The vice-chair is Harvey E. Seim, an associate professor of physical oceanography at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; the secretary is Richard Dodge, dean of the Nova Southeastern University Oceanographic Center in Dania Beach, Fla. Kim L. Cavendish, president of the Museum of Discovery and Science in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., was elected treasurer and the at-large member is Mitchell A. Roffer, founder and president of Roffer’s Ocean Fishing Forecasting Service, Inc., in West Melbourne, Fla. Executive Committee members serve a two-year term, and elections to the Executive Committee are held annually.

SECOORA is one of 11 regional associations in the U.S. established in support of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS). Through its network of ocean observation systems, IOOS systematically acquires and disseminates data and information on the past, present and future status of the ocean and U.S. coastal waters. Regional associations, such as SECOORA, link these ocean observation systems and make data accessible to state and federal agencies, scientists, the private sector and the public. SECOORA coordinates observations activity from North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. SECOORA data collection and distribution efforts are focused on improving safe and efficient marine operations, maintaining healthy marine ecosystems and predicting and mitigating coastal hazards.

For more information about SECOORA, visit www.secoora.org. To learn more about IOOS and regional associations, visit ioos.noaa.gov.

S.C. Coastal Information Network Web Portal Launched

Charleston, S.C.—The S.C. Coastal Information Network announces the launch of a new Web portal, www.sccoastalinfo.org. The user-friendly Web site is a one-stop information resource for workshops, presentations and specialized training opportunities available to coastal decision-makers, community planners and local officials. The calendar-based portal allows users to search for events by date, topic, location and target audience. The Web site also lists community events in coastal South Carolina and has downloadable educational resources that can be searched by keyword or category. Categories of events include beach management, resource conservation, climate change and coastal development. The Web site will continue to be enhanced to meet the needs of coastal decision-makers.

The S.C. Coastal Information Network was formed in 2006 to enhance coordination of coastal community outreach efforts in South Carolina. The Network consists of outreach personnel from state and federal agencies, universities, councils of governments and sustainable development organizations. Partners include the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium, S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) – SCDHEC Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management and SCDHEC Bureau of Water, S.C. Department of Natural Resources – ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve and North Inlet-Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service, Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of Governments, Waccamaw Regional Council of Governments, Urban Land Institute of South Carolina, S.C. Department of Archives and History and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) – NOAA Coastal Services Center and NOAA Hollings Marine Laboratory.

For more information about the S.C. Coastal Information Network or the Web portal, contact Samantha Bruce, S.C. Sea Grant Extension Program, at samantha.bruce@scseagrant.org or (843) 953-2078.

S.C. Sea Grant Board of Diretors Meeting Scheduled

(Release date September 5, 2007)
Contact: Susan Ferris Hill, (843) 953-2078 or susan.ferris.hill@scseagrant.org

Charleston, S.C.—S.C. Sea Grant Consortium will hold the annual Board of Directors meeting from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on September 12, 2007 at the College of Charleston, 66 George Street, Charleston, S.C.  Items on the agenda include a review of the Consortium’s 2006-10 Strategic Plan, reports on program activities and selected accomplishments, 2006-07 state and federal accountability reports, 2008-09 state budget and NOAA/Sea Grant fiscal year 2008 appropriations. Election of the next Consortium Board Chair will also be held.

The Consortium’s Board of Directors is composed of the chief executive officers of its eight member institutions. Current board members are: Board Chair Dr. Andrew A. Sorensen, president of University of South Carolina; James F. Barker, president of Clemson University; Dr. David A. DeCenzo, president of Coastal Carolina University; Dr. P. George Benson, president of College of Charleston; Dr. Raymond S. Greenberg, president of Medical University of South Carolina; John E. Frampton, executive director of S.C. Department of Natural Resources; Dr. Andrew H. Hugine, Jr., president of S.C. State University; and Lt. General John W. Rosa, president of The Citadel.

The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium, a university-based state agency, seeks to enhance the practical use and conservation of South Carolina’s coastal and marine resources that foster a sustainable economy and environment.  The Consortium is a member of the nationwide network of 30 Sea Grant Programs that are sanctioned through the NOAA National Sea Grant College Program, U.S. Department of Commerce. For more information about the Consortium, visit http://www.scseagrant.org.