Abstract

The Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Research Planning Project is one of eight NOAA Sea Grant funded, region-based research planning efforts under way in the United States. The four GOM Sea Grant College Programs (Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi- Alabama, and Texas) are working with state and federal agencies, universities, non-governmental organizations, and private industry/business in the pan-GOM arena both to identify and prioritize research and information needs and to develop a strategic research plan. Initially, the current research priorities in the Gulf will be identified with a review of existing strategic and implementation plans developed by organizations that either sponsor or conduct scientific research. A matrix developed from the synthesis of existing plans will serve as a starting point for gathering broad-based stakeholder input through workshops, interviews, and Web-based surveys. This input will identify research needs not currently addressed and set priorities to the final array of research needs. Stakeholder participation is of the utmost 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 both GOM research and information dissemination. The Gulf of Mexico Research Plan (GMRP), which will highlight the stakeholder-defined research priorities for the region, will be completed in early 2008. An implementation plan, which will help interested organizations determine how their research agendas can complement and benefit from the GMRP, will be completed by fall 2008. For more information go to http://masgc.org/ gmrp.

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