The Coastal module is of high priority to many coastal nations. The design of an observing system for this environment presents a complex challenge, since it must take into account and integrate the plans and recommendations of the climate, HOTO and LMR panels. It must take into account the needs of a wider range of users, for instance the communities involved in coastal management, environmental protection, ports and shipping, Monitoring, documenting and forecasting change in this environment will require integration of physical, chemical, biological and geological observations, and consideration of socio-economic requirements. Ideally the coastal module will provide the necessary guidance to enable the provision of services and products to a wide range of users.

The GOOS concept provides nations with the goal of creating a unified framework within which such operations can take place to high standards and in a coordinated way so as to be mutually supporting, thereby adding value to the data in a national sense as well as contributing to an overarching international goal. At its third session (April 1996), J-GOOS noted:

J-GOOS further decided to endorse a proposal for a Coastal Module Workshop to:

1. work toward an integrated observation system for the coastal module; and also
2. consider a strategy for a generic modelling component.

The GOOS Coastal Module Planning Workshop was eventually held in February 1997. One of the recommendation of the Workshop was the formation of a GOOS Coastal Panel, which is into being since the beginning of 1998.