In its 2005-2010 Strategic Plan, NOAA set a goal to protect, restore and manage the use of coastal and ocean resources through an ecosystem approach to management. The goal integrates NOAA resources to make progress on two key strategic outcomes:

• Healthy and productive coastal and marine ecosystems that benefit society;
• A well-informed public that acts as a steward of coastal and marine ecosystems.

The Ecosystem Goal Team (EGT) contains nine Programs that directly support NOAA’s Ecosystem Goal: 

• Aquaculture
• Coastal & Marine Resources
• Corals
• Ecosystem Observation
• Ecosystem Research
• Enforcement
• Fisheries Management
• Habitat
• Protected Species
  

The National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC) forms part of the Ecosystem Observation Program (EOP),  designed as a coastal and oceanic ecological observing system.  The EOP provides information on the status of living marine resources and distributes this information to NOAA’s clients using capabilities encompassing routine observations (e.g., resource surveys), assessments and forecasts, and product development to improve the technical capability of the observation system.

EOP also includes data management and quality assurance activities, the production of routine technical reports, and supports appropriate collaborative linkages to other Goal Teams and Councils. The EOP directs its capabilities toward providing the necessary information for management decisions. 

NCDDC staff involvement within EGT/EOP: 

Russ Beard– NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, & Information Service (NESDIS) Representative

Scott Mowery – NOAA's NCDDC Representative