Anyone
interested in Gulf of Mexico coastal and marine issues is
invited to complete a survey that will help scientists and
funding agencies prioritize regional research and informational
needs. Participants can help shape the future direction of
Gulf of Mexico research, discovery and information dissemination
by identifying the topics they believe are most important.
The survey, which takes approximately 10 minutes to complete,
is available online at http://masgc.org/gmrp.
Resources
that help scientists and managers understand the natural and
human-caused impacts on the Gulf are limited, yet coastal
and marine concerns continue to rise. Current topics of concern
include stewardship of natural and cultural resources, ecosystem
and human health, marine operations, natural hazards and the
ocean’s role in climate.
This survey
and other stakeholder input will be used to develop a regional
priorities plan for the Gulf of Mexico research community.
The plan will assist research-based organizations collaboratively
work to address the most-pressing needs.
The Gulf
of Mexico Research Prioritization and Information Needs project
is coordinated regionally by the Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi-Alabama
and Texas Sea Grant programs and engages federal, state, university,
non-governmental and international organizations. The project
is funded through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
For more information, contact Steve Sempier, Sea Grant Gulf
of Mexico research coordinator, at stephen.sempier@usm.edu
or (662) 325-5509.
