Current Status of Accomplishment or Milestone: Completed. The MOA was signed in January 1998.
Background: The Pacific Fisheries Environmental Laboratory (PFEL) was established in 1969 on the Monterey Peninsula to take advantage of the environmental data resources of the US Navy's Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center (FNMOC). PFEL uses a variety of FNMOC environmental products to develop ocean indices useful for fisheries and biological research. Operating agreements have existed through several Memoranda of Agreement (MOA), the most recent being established in 1985. In 1994, NOAA and Navy decided to develop a single umbrella MOA with a series of specific annexes; since that time several iterations of an Annex to the MOA have been reviewed and finally signed by the Navy and NOAA.
Purpose of Activity/Goal of Project: The purpose of the MOA Annex is to formalize the relationship between PFEL and FNMOC and to spell out the responsibilities of each in the continuing relationship.
Description of Accomplishment and Significant Results: Modernization of computing facilities and programs at FNMOC has led to significant changes in calculation and product delivery. Likewise, PFEL continues to upgrade and modernize both its computing facilities and the data products provided. The continued close relationship between FNMOC and PFEL, as codified in the MOA Annex, facilitates PFEL's work and research
Significance of Accomplishment (e.g., to the Center, to Management, and to NMFS Strategic plan Goals): Understanding the role of environmental variability on marine resources is a high priority under NOAA's Strategic Plan element "Build Sustainable Fisheries". Research to effect this objective is improved by the availability of high quality environmental information provided by Navy resources through FNMOC. This highlights the importance of "dual use" of these environmental data resources.
Problems: None
Key Contact: George Boehlert (831-648-8515)