The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program Office has been working with the University of Washington and the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Regional Association, the Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Systems (NA-NOOS), to convene two invitational workshops in 2012, one on integrating ocean acidification (OA) data management for the nation, and one on defining a global network for OA monitoring. Libby Jewett (NOAA OA), Dick Feely (NOAA PMEL), and Jan Newton (UW & NANOOS) are working with others to plan and conduct these two workshops.

The OA data management workshop was held March 13-15, 2012 in Seattle, WA, and hosted representatives from NOAA National Oceanographic Data Center (NODC), NOAA Fisheries, Observation and Modeling groups, IOOS, the NSF-funded Biological and Chemical Oceanography Data Management Office (BCO-DMO), the NSF-funded Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI), NASA, the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS) USA, USGS, the DOE Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center (CDIAC), OceanSITES, and various investigators involved in observations, experiments, modeling, and satellite research. The goal of the workshop was to establish a framework for the handling of ocean acidification data that makes it possible for users to locate, understand and utilize relevant data in support of scientific research and resource management. Outcomes will include a shared vision for integrated OA data management and an initial OA Integrated Data Management Plan with an emphasis on near-term (2-year) goals. The OA monitoring workshop will be held June 26-28, 2012 in Seattle, WA, and will include representatives from around the world. The principal goals of this international workshop are to: (1) design the components and locations of an international ocean acidification observing network that includes repeat hydrographic surveys, underway measurements on volunteer observing ships, moorings, floats, and gliders, leveraging existing networks and programs wherever possible; (2) identify measurement parameters and performance metrics for each major component of the observing system; and (3) develop a strategy for data quality assurance and distribution. The results of both workshops will be summarized in future editions of this newsletter. In the meantime, for more information, please contact Jan Newton.

Jan Newton (University of Washington), OCB NEWS, Winter 2012. Newsletter.