Gulf of Mexico Research Plan

This regional research plan will focus on the needs in the Gulf and will link recently developed plans. (Source: NOAA)

RATIONALE
Well-informed management and resource utilization can only be made through increased knowledge about the changes in demand for marine-related resources and the impact of these changes on the ecosystems and economies of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) region.

A core belief held by many is that the best scientific results will stem from a Gulf-wide approach that addresses scientific questions important to the region as a whole. This contrasts with the common practice of scientific inquiry made on a state-by-state or organization-by-organization basis. Thus, it is imperative that regional research and information needs be identified by all public and private stakeholders that use and manage resources or that sponsor or conduct scientific research related to the GOM. In addition, increased collaboration among the research-based organizations operating in the GOM can help to avoid duplication of research and provide a roadmap for more efficient use of research dollars and effort.

A regional research plan focusing specifically on the needs in the GOM will bridge recently developed plans. For example, it will provide more research emphasis in support of the Gulf of Mexico Alliance Action Plan and link regional priorities to the national focus of the Ocean Research Priorities Plan. This project will serve the entire GOM research community by identifying and disseminating the highest priority needs in the region and fostering opportunities for cooperation in addressing these needs.

THE PROJECT
The Gulf of Mexico Research Planning Project is one of eight Sea Grant funded, region-based research planning efforts under way in the United States. The four GOM Sea Grant college programs (Florida Sea Grant, Louisiana Sea Grant, the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium and Texas Sea Grant) are working with state and federal agencies, universities, non-profit organizations, and private industry along the GOM to prioritize research and information needs and to develop a strategic research plan. The Gulf of Mexico Research Plan (GMRP), which highlights the stakeholder-defined research priorities for the region, will be completed in early 2008. An implementation plan, which will help interested research organizations determine how their research agendas can complement the GMRP, will be completed by fall 2008.

Initially, the current research priorities in the Gulf will be identified through a review of existing strategic and implementation plans developed by organizations that sponsor or conduct scientific research. A matrix will be developed from the synthesis of existing plans and used as a starting point for obtaining broad-based stakeholder input through a variety of methods including focus group meetings, interviews, and Web-based surveys. This input will be used to identify research needs not currently addressed and to prioritize the final set of research needs.

As stakeholder input is collected and analyzed, research priorities and information needs will be incorporated into the GMRP. The GMRP will be examined by the Planning and Review Council (PRC) and the public.

The GMRP and implementation plan will assist research administrators by providing insight on how the research priorities and capabilities of their agency/organization can benefit from and contribute to addressing the regional research needs identified in the plan.

In addition, this project will assist agencies/organizations in updating their own strategic research and implementation plans by providing an in-depth summary of the Gulf-wide research priority areas and the related work being performed by other organizations active in the GOM research arena.

PARTICIPANTS
The four GOM Sea Grant programs will provide oversight for this project, and the GOM regional research planning coordinator will organize the effort. The PRC will provide guidance on plan development and identify opportunities for organizations to cooperatively address critical research needs. The PRC will consist of U.S. and Mexican representatives from state and federal agencies, universities, laboratories, and private and non-profit organizations.

Stakeholder participation is of the highest importance in determining the research priorities and information needs in the GOM. The success of this effort will depend on the involvement of all organizations that participate in GOM research and information dissemination.

DIVERSE RESEARCH PRIORITIES AND NEEDS
A preliminary assessment of the current Gulf-wide research needs reveals a wide range of topics that may be included in a GMRP. The following list identifies a few examples of the GOM research and management issues that will be examined:

• Coastal erosion
• Coastal storms and hazards
• Contaminants (point and non-point)
• Freshwater input
• Habitat use, assessment, loss, restoration, and enhancement
• Harmful algae blooms
• Nutrient enrichment and cycling
• Overfished and overcapitalized fisheries
• Population growth of coastal communities

As stakeholder input is collected, these and other needs will be better understood and incorporated into the GMRP.

GULF OF MEXICO FACTS

• The GOM is the ninth largest body of water in the world.
• The GOM shoreline extends about 3,540 miles.
• More than 60 percent of the continental United States drains into the GOM.
• Total productive value for the GOM (Mexico and U.S.) of just four sectors (oil and gas, fisheries, port/shipping, and tourism) was estimated to be as high as $121 billion in 2003.
• Seven of the top ten U.S. ports are located in the GOM.

PLANNING DOCUMENTS
This page presents a number of strategic planning documents relevant to the Gulf of Mexico Regional Research Plan.

MORE PROJECT INFORMATION
Download a two-page PDF (2.72 MB) summary of the project.

View an introductory presentation of the project online, as a Microsoft PowerPoint file (1.69 MB), or as a PDF file (1005 KB).

Click here to go to the National Sea Grant regional workshop agenda and learn more about the GMRP within the context of other U.S. efforts.

CONTACT INFORMATION
Steve Sempier, Regional Research Planning Coordinator, Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium
Phone: (662) 325-5509
E-mail: stephen.sempier@usm.edu

OTHER REGIONAL PLANNING EFFORTS
South Atlantic Regional Research Project (SARRP)
Gulf of Maine Regional Ocean Science Initiative
West Coast Regional Research and Information Planning
Great Lakes Regional Research Information Network
Alaska Regional Marine Research Plan