In 2010 the Gulf of Mexico experienced the worst marine oil spill in US history. Ecosystem monitoring is a critical but poorly understood component of the environmental recovery effort. This GOMURC presentation introduces ecosystem monitoring and why it is important for Gulf recovery, and the role of the Gulf Coastal Ocean Observing System’s Build-out Plan as a framework for identifying and funding required capabilities, observations and products. An additional 2016 presentation led by Dr. M. Graham, Developing a Decision-Making and Governance Framework for a Coordinated Gulf-Wide Observational Program, suggested that DHOS penalties offer an unprecedented opportunity to establish a long-term, comprehensive, Gulf-wide observing system.
