Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)

The Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) is the sustained framework that coordinates ocean observations worldwide, led by the IOC of UNESCO with WMO, UNEP, and ISC as co-sponsors. GOOS organizes its design around Essential Ocean Variables (physical, biogeochemical, and biological) and integrates the component networks: Argo, the Global Drifter Program, the tropical moored arrays, OceanSITES, GO-SHIP repeat hydrography, tide gauges, and gliders. It frames observations against three goals, climate, operational services, and ocean health. The Observations Coordination Group reports network status, and JCOMMOPS (now OceanOPS) tracks platform metadata so the data feed forecasting and reanalysis systems.