Global Ocean Observing System
Coordinated ocean observations have been in practice since the creation of GOOS in 1991. GOOS initially focussed on physics and climate issues. As a result of the OceanObs series of conferences (1999, 2009), GOOS was expanded to include ocean chemistry and biology and a focus on coastal observing. Indeed, these two meetings laid the foundations for the ocean observing systems that have developed since. Documents such as the FOO, which arose from the OceanObs’09 meeting, guide much of the ocean observing community. New demands and expectations, and the upcoming OceanObs’19 meeting, offer opportunities to rewiew how we are conducting ocean observing and provide fresh approaches.