The Pacific Islands Ocean Observing System (PacIOOS) is one of 11 regional observing programs that make up the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS). IOOS is a multi-sector partnership that seeks to deliver data and information that decision makers can use to improve safety, enhance the economy, and protect the environment. As part of IOOS, PacIOOS works to improve access to accurate, timely, and reliable products that help to ensure a safe, clean, and productive ocean and resilient coastal zones for the U.S. Pacific Islands. Better, more useful information products are generated through enhancement of the observation, modeling, data management, and outreach components of the end-to-end ocean observing system.

The PacIOOS Governing Council is responsible for providing strategic and policy guidance to PacIOOS Director Heather Kerkering. On July 9, Pacific Disaster Center’s (PDC) Director of Applied Science Dr. Heather Bell was elected to serve as a regional member of the Governing Council for a term of three years.

Dr. Bell will officially begin her service at a PacIOOS Council meeting, October 6–7, in Waikiki.

To learn more about PacIOOS:
• Visit their website and read about their activities and products,
• Find them on Facebook, or
• Explore PacIOOS data in PacIOOS Voyager.