SeaKeepers supports efforts to fill critical gaps in research and monitoring to collect information on ocean resources, water quality and safe swimming conditions to protect the coastal economy, public health, ocean ecology and fisheries. Collaborative efforts from research institutions, state, local and federal government and organizations like SeaKeepers all contribute to these efforts.
The oceans are at a tipping point. The current budgetary climate threatens research and monitoring programs across the board. However, investments in ocean observation, monitoring and research lead to billions of dollars in returns for the economy every year.[i] Cuts to beach monitoring programs may leave the public without information as to whether water is safe for swimming. Federal programs for ocean research and ocean observing, like the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) bring together federal agencies and regional systems to fill critical data gaps. A combination of sensors on satellites, in the water, on-land and vessels are integrated to provide information we all depend on for:
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- Weather forecasting and severe weather predictions: satellites and in-water information help predict the path and intensity of hurricanes.
- Food security: agriculture depends on IOOS weather forecasting information
- Search and rescue and maritime safety: high-frequency radar technology that monitors ocean currents in real-time can reduce search and rescue areas by 66% in 96 hours
- Protecting public health and coastal economies: water quality monitoring information can forecast and identify sources of harmful algal blooms, red tide and other harmful contaminants and bacteria in the water
- Tracking and understanding hypoxia and dead zones in the oceans
- Understanding and protecting fisheries
- Tracking oil spills and enhancing oil spill response efforts
- Refining predictions of climate variability and sea level rise
- Detecting ocean acidification
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SeaKeepers supports efforts to maintain and fill gaps in ocean research, monitoring, exploration and observing programs. SeaKeepers contributes to these efforts through its deployment of ocean exploration, meteorological and ocean sensing equipment on vessels of opportunity and research vessels.