• The Global or “backbone” component is provided by federal agencies who maintain observatory assets that cover large regions of the ocean. The NOAA and NASA ocean observing satellite systems and the NOAA NDBC array of moored monitoring buoys are examples of the global contribution.
• The IOOS coastal component will integrate observations from the landward influence of the tides seaward to the extent of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). In this region there are federal, state and non-governmental efforts to monitor the coast. To enable the integration of these many efforts, each region of the country will be represented by a Regional Association that will be responsible for the coordination of observing efforts in their region.

CICORE predates these RAs and, since their inception, has been involved with their structure and development