July brought us a public meeting of the U.S. IOOS Advisory Committee. The committee met virtually on July 21 and 23 to receive updates from the U.S. IOOS Office and develop their work plan. Look for more details and meeting minutes to be published in the near future!
We’re pleased to announce that we have opened up the Ocean Enterprise Study 2020 – 2025 for surveys! The study is an economic assessment of businesses outside the federal sphere that either provide ocean observing and measurement tools and infrastructure or tailor ocean data or information for a specific end use. If your business contributes to the Ocean Enterprise, please visit our website to learn more and to access the survey. Questions? Please reach out to oes.2025@noaa.gov.
Finally, NOAA is running a new beach safety video series. Do you know your Blue IQ? From 2014-2024, there were 878 fatalities connected to beach hazards such as rip currents and high surf. Most victims of beach or surf zone hazards are male, and between the ages of 10-29, with the majority of U.S. fatalities occurring during the months of June and July. The campaign aims to raise the “Blue IQ” of beachgoers by educating them about some of the most common threats in coastal waters. The videos address the disconnect between ocean conditions and what people think they know about beach safety and their swimming strength. Check out the series page, explore the offerings, and share with your friends and family.