Ocean observing technology and public-private partnerships

The development and implementation of ocean observatories has primarily been driven by the research community and academic institutions. National governments have begun to take an increasingly more active role both in terms of fostering the development of individual observatories (the National Science Foundationpsilas Ocean Observatory Initiative) as well as the consideration of linking these individual observatories together into a national network (the Ocean.US Integrated Ocean Observing System). The role to be played by the private sector, both large and small companies, is also beginning to emerge. This paper explores some of the activities already undertaken by industry in ocean observing initiatives in the U.S. and other international initiatives.