Activities proposed here are focused on three overarching goals: enhancing caricoos observational capacity to 1) continue providing water column structure data for improved hurricane intensity…

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) awarded a $5,000,000 Cooperative Agreement under the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Federal Grant Program (CFDA 11.012) to the Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System, Inc. (CARICOOS), a non-profit organization in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. The purpose of this five-year award, effective August 1, 2024 through July 31, 2029, is to enhance CARICOOS's observational capacity to: 1) continue providing water column structure data for improved hurricane intensity forecasting, 2) assess pelagic and neritic ecosystem status and threats, and 3) improve resiliency through educating particularly challenged coastal communities on their exposure to coastal hazards. The award will support activities such as replacing hurricane-damaged observing assets, upgrading high-frequency radar systems, installing wind sensors, and developing mooring systems for wave data buoys to strengthen CARICOOS's regional ocean monitoring capabilities and provide critical environmental data to the Caribbean region.

Activities proposed here are focused on three overarching goals: enhancing caricoos observational capacity to 1) continue providing water column structure data for improved hurricane intensity forecasting, 2) assess pelagic and neritic ecosystem status and threats, and 3) improving resiliency through educating particularly challenged coastal communities on their exposure to coastal hazards.