No abstract

Sustained ocean observations provide an essential input to ocean scientific research. They also support a wide range of societal and economic benefits related to safety; operational efficiency; and regulation of activities around, on, in, and under seas and the ocean. The ocean economy is large and diverse, accounting for around US$1.5 trillion of global gross value-added economic activity. This is projected to more than double by 2030. Delivering this growth in economic activity is dependent on ocean observations. This review paper summarizes the projected changes in the scale and scope of the ocean economy and the role that observations, measurements, and forecasts play in supporting the safe and effective use of the ocean and ocean resources, at the same time as protecting the environment. It also provides an overview of key future work being planned to develop a better understanding of the present and likely future ocean economy and the role and value of ocean observations in its sustainable realization.

Sustained ocean observations, measurements and models provide a wide range of societal benefits underpinning the safety, operational and compliance needs of beneficiaries that operate around, on and under the ocean (In the context of this paper, the term 'ocean' is defined as encompassing the global ocean, enclosed seas and the US Great Lakes.) They also provide an essential input to ocean scientific research and the effective protection of the marine environment. Delivering the means to collect and use ocean data and information on a sustained basis constitutes a significant business undertaking. The companies that enable sustained ocean observation, measurement and forecasting, and deliver its benefits as commercial services, combine to create a unique and growing industry cluster; the Ocean Enterprise. Ocean Enterprise businesses underpin the ability to provide societal benefit from sustained ocean observations, measurements and models, as well as delivering significant economic and employment benefits in their own right. In this paper, we describe a systematic evaluation of the scale, scope and characteristics of the Ocean Enterprise in the United States. We explore the ways in which this industry cluster interacts with the US Integrated Ocean Observing System and how the United States Ocean Enterprise compares to that of the United Kingdom.