Abstract

GulfBase is a portal on research resources in the Gulf of Mexico, developed in 2002 by the Harte Research Institute, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Its goal is to provide free access to information on the Gulf to re-searchers, policy makers and the public, to insure the long-term sustainable use and conservation of the Gulf of Mexico. It currently contains information on over 2300 researchers, 493 institutions, 500 projects, 583 conferences and events related to the Gulf, besides hundreds of islands, reefs, bays, etc. GulfBase hosts several databases, including the Bio-diversity of the Gulf of Mexico (BioGoMx) database, a comprehensive biotic inventory covering over 15,000 spe-cies. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010 has made clear the need to know what resources are available, who are the experts are, and to be better prepared for disasters. As a result, several new “products” are coming to Gulf-Base, including: 1) BioGoMx partnered with IUCN Red List to augment information on Gulf species and develop a direc-tory of experts; 2) inventory of ocean assets (research vessels, ROVs, gliders, etc.), in partnership with the Gulf of Mexi-co University Research Collaborative (GOMURC), to increase collaborations and for improved response to ocean events; and 3) Directory of Education and Outreach (E&O) Professionals, in collaboration with the Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA). Additionally, a new website with new features is expected to be released in early 2014.

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