a long strange trip…from the exxon valdez to embrace the
TRANSCRIPT
A long strange trip…from the Exxon Valdez to Embrace the Gulf
March 9, 2020
Chris Simoniello, [email protected]
My storyFIU: B.S. Biological Sciences, Certificate Program, Marine Science, 1988
• Herpetological Studies, Everglades NP
• March 1989 Exxon Valdez, PWS, AK
USF: PhD Marine Science, 2003 • Physiological Ecology: tropics to poles
Office of Naval Research: Nascent U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (SE Atlantic Coastal Ocean Observing System)--FL Sea Grant/USF-based
Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (USM, IMMS, TAMU) (USF-based)
17 Federal Partners Alliance for Coastal Technologies
11 Regional Associations (RAs)
GCOOS: coordinating entity for the U.S. Gulf of Mexico (since ~2004) FL, AL, MS, LA, TX
SECOORA: SE Atlantic: NC, SC, GA, FL (to WFS)
Global Earth Observation System of Systems*
Global Ocean Observing System
U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System
*Group on Earth Observations: more than 100 nations and 100 organizations
Monitoring Planet Earth
Evolution of GCOOS: Nested data systems • First organizational meetings, 1999
• GCOOS-Regional Association, 2004
• ICOOS Act of 2009
• ICOOS Reauthorization Act 2018
Focus Areas• Marine Operations• Coastal Hazards• Healthy Ecosystems & Living
Resources• Human Health & Safety
Cross-Cutting Themes• Outreach & Education• Data Management & Communication• Numerical Modeling & Forecasting• Monitoring Long-term Environmental
Change
Evolution of the Gulf of Mexico Alliance
• First Action Plan in 2006 • Operated as regional
organization voluntarily convened by state governors
• U.S. Representatives Charlie Crist, Steven Palazzo (MS), Alan Lowenthal (CA) and Chris Smith (NJ) recently introduced the Regional Ocean Partnership Act (H.R. 5390) to formally authorize ROP –goal is consistent funding.
Priorities Identified in Action Plan I
Water quality
Coastal conservation and restoration
Environmental education
Characterization of Gulf habitats
Reductions in nutrient inputs
Later Amended:
Coastal Resilience, Data & Monitoring, Education & Engagement, Habitat Resources, Water Resources, Wildlife & Fisheries, Ecosystems Services Assessment, Conservation, Restoration & Resilience Planning, Marine Debris
Action Plan III 2016
GovernorsRobert Bentley, ALRick Scott, FLJohn Bel Edwards, LAPhil Bryant, MSGreg Abbott, TX
Action Plan II 2009
GovernorsBob Riley, ALCharlie Crist, FLBobby Jindal, LAHaley Barbour, MSRick Perry, TX
Action Plan I 2006
GovernorsBob Riley, ALJeb Bush, FLKathleen Blanco, LAHaley Barbour, MSRick Perry, TX
https://gulfofmexicoalliance.org/about-us/governors-action-plan-for-a-healthy-and-resilient-coast/
Action Plan IV (coming soon)
GovernorsKay Ivey, ALRon DeSantis, FLJohn Bel Edwards, LATate Reeves, MSGreg Abbott, TX
Unlikely Path to Pinellas County and 2020 EtG: Local to global engagement
• NOAA Climate Office, US delegate to the Indonesia Sea Partnership Program
• United National Industrial Development Organization-Large Marine Ecosystem US liaison to Mexico
• Research Scientist, Texas A&M University-USF-based
• Outreach & Education Manager, GCOOS
• IOOS Association Education & Outreach Committee, Past Chair
• GOMA Education and Engagement Steering Committee, Past Chair
• NOAA GOM Regional Collaboration Team
• NOAA Weather Ready Nation Ambassador
• City of St. Petersburg Community Rating System PPI Committee, Co-Chair
• Pinellas Co. Flood Risk & Mitigation Public Information Working Group (Stakeholder partner)
What is the 2020 Embrace the Gulf Campaign?
A year-long effort to highlight the value and vitality of the GoM, including cultural, ecological, economic, social, and recreational value
Why: Most of the world focuses on the negative aspects of the Gulf region: hurricanes, oil spills, over fishing, habitat loss...
https://gulfofmexicoalliance.org/embrace/about/
2020 Embrace the Gulf Campaign
Website and Social Media Campaign
365 (366-Leap yr!) Positive Gulf Messages; posted
daily; FB 133% increase
Co-branding Events – share here
https://gulfofmexicoalliance.org/embrace/get-
involved-with-embrace-the-gulf/
EtG team will promote your events, post on the
calendar and share via press releases, newsletter
and social media
EtG Gala celebrating the importance of the GoM
(June, MS)
City and State Proclamations declaring 2020 the
Year to Embrace the Gulf
St. Petersburg First to Sign a City Proclamation for EtG!
Led by Council Member Brandi Gabbard and supported by Legislative Aide, Linnie Randolph
Other cities have since joined
What about Pinellas County and other cities and municipalities?
Draft proclamation has been written for Louisiana, signature pending
The State of Florida is noticeably absent. Kevin Claridge (FDEP) was leading the effort but has since left. How can we remedy?
District 2 Newsletter that included EtG was shared via GCOOS and GOMA social media, reaching thousands.
Thank you Council Member Gabbard for co-Brandi-ing!
Examples of Events that are/can be Co-Branded• 2020 St. Petersburg Science Festival: EtG
theme
• Paddle the Gulf • Connecting trails that connect to Gulf• Co-Chair Citizen Science Working Group
• Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas—citizens contributing data
• Stewardship opportunities• Partnering with Guy Harvey Foundation• Opportunities with parks, businesses, clubs,
NGOs, summer programs…perhaps a coordinated County-wide paddling event?
• Launch of new education center at Pier? Earth Day events? World Oceans Day events? Community art project? Pinellas County School events? Ideas welcome!
Top Ten Things You Can Do to Embrace the Gulf
Become an Official Partner or Sponsor at www.embracethegulf.org
Co-Brand an Event during the Year 2020
Encourage Local Municipalities and Counties to Adopt Proclamations to Embrace the Gulf
Support Blue Economy
Eat Gulf Seafood
Engage in a Nature-Based Activity
Pick up Pet Waste
Recycle, Reuse, Reduce
Use Substitutes for Plastic Cups, Utensils, Plates, and Straws
Get Educated and Get Involved – You can Make a Difference
How much do you know about the Gulf of Mexico?
Trivia Challenge (for swag)
Trivia 1: How many U.S. and Mexican States border the Gulf of Mexico?
10
US: FL, AL, MS, LA, TX
Mexico: Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Tobasco, Campeche, Yucatan
Note: Quintana Roo is not counted –it borders the Caribbean.
Trivia 1: How many U.S. and Mexican States
border the Gulf of Mexico?
Answer
10
Trivia 2: What NOAA program was one of the earliest adopters of IOOS?
Trivia 2:What NOAA program was one of the earliest adopters of IOOS?
Physical Oceanographic
Real-time System
Trivia 5: What U.S. river basin, among the largest in the world, drains to the Gulf of Mexico?
Mississippi-Atchafalaya River Basin
What U.S. river basin, among the largest in the world, drains to the Gulf of Mexico?
