The coastal module of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS): an assessment of current capabilities to detect change

Two related topics are addressed in this paper. The first is the challenging and difficult task of producing scientifically credible quantitative assessments of the status, condition or health of coastal marine and estuarine ecosystems on regional to global scales. The second is the current capacity to provide the data required to produce such assessments in a routine and repeatable fashion, a purpose of the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS). It is concluded that there is an immediate need to develop a coastal module of GOOS that will enable periodic ecosystem assessments and significantly improve the ability of participating nations to achieve the goals of international agreements and conventions for environmental protection, sustainable resources, healthy marine and estuarine ecosystems, and safe and efficient marine operations.