A Report Card for the Gulf of Mexico
Many restoration efforts are planned or underway in the Gulf. Following the oil spill and the potential Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Clean Water Act funding sources, as well as other related efforts, there is potential for explosive growth in restoration. There is currently no common set of metrics by which to evaluate progress towards restoration goals on an ecosystem level. Through a series of stepping stone workshops, a draft framework, or Report Card, will be developed to accomplish this end. The starting point will be identification of parameters that an integrated ocean observing system (IOOS) should include to provide basic metrics to inform a Gulf Report Card. A robust IOOS would contribute to our ability to measure progress towards the common goal of a healthy Gulf. It would also directly benefit industry needs for met-ocean data, spill response needs for tracking and anticipating spill impacts, preparation and response to hurricanes and other natural disasters, as well as, research needs for better understanding of the gulf as a large marine ecosystem.
A science-based report card with an ecosystem focus can be a valuable tool to inform policy and decision makers about the efficacy of restoration efforts and management actions. An appropriately scaled report card can guide research and management to priority concerns and locations. A credible report card can foster public attention to and support for those corrective actions essential to assuring a healthy and productive gulf.