Scope of COOP 

The COOP will plan and facilitate implementation of an end-to-end  observing system to provide systematic data sets and products to  users. Goals are to monitor, assess, and predict effects of natural  variations and human activities on the marine environment and ecosystems of the coastal ocean. Principal foci are on issues of ecosystem (including human) health, living marine resources, natural  hazards, and safe and efficient marine operations. It is not intended  that "coastal" be limited by specific geographic boundaries. Although  the emphasis will be on coastal ecosystems (e.g., estuaries, bays,  sounds, fjords, open waters of the  continental shelf), boundaries  should be determined by the problems being addressed and the products  that are to be produced. Thus, the broad area of concern extends from  semi-enclosed systems in the coastal zone to the continental shelf and  the deep ocean as required to provide products relevant to the issues  listed above. 

The focus will be on design and implementation of a sustained,  integrated system. It must be designed and implemented as an  end-to-end system, from measurements to the timely distribution of  products. Taken into account must be user requirements, scientific and  technical feasibility, and utility. This will require oversight and adjustments to the design and operation as needs and feasibility  change.