The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Regional Collaboration enhances the ability of all NOAA agencies within a region to work together, including addressing unique regional problems that require NOAA's expertise. This "OneNOAA" thinking doesn't require any changes in NOAA's structure, but encourages the different offices to find ways to coordinate their efforts and collaborate when appropriate, both within and across regions.  The result will be improved services for NOAA's customers. NOAA Regional Collaboration is one element of NOAA's Ecosystem Approach to Management.

Regional Collaboration Teams

NOAA has currently identified eight Regional Collaboration Teams: Alaska, Central, Great Lakes, North Atlantic, Pacific Islands, Southeast & Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, and Western Regional Teams.

NOAA's National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC) staff are members of Regional Coordinating Teams:

• Chief Scientist─Member, Gulf of Mexico Regional Team for NESDIS
• Gulf of Mexico Liaison─Member, Gulf of Mexico Regional Team for NESDIS
• Northeast Liaison─Member, North Atlantic Regional Team for NESDIS
• Pacific Islands Liaison─Member, Pacific Islands Regional Team for NESDIS
• Southeast Liaison─Member, Southeast and Caribbean Regional Team for NESDIS

NOAA Regional Collaboration Priorities

NOAA has identified Four Priority Areas for Regional Collaboration:  Regionally-Distinct Priorities and Capabilities; Hazard Resilient Coastal Communities; Integrated Ecosystem Assessments; and Integrated Water Resource Services.  At the national level, NOAA Priority Area Task Teams (PATTs) are responsible for coordinating the NOAA effort among regions in four priority areas: Hazard Resilient Coastal Communities; Integrated Ecosystem Assessments; Integrated Water Resource Services; and Outreach and Communications.

NCDDC staff are members of PATTs:

• Gulf of Mexico Liaison─Integrated Ecosystem Assessments, NESDIS/Gulf of Mexico, Regional Collaboration Team Representative

• Northeast Liaison─Integrated Ecosystem Assessments, NESDIS/North Atlantic Regional Team Representative
• Southeast Liaison─Integrated Water Resources, NESDIS/Southeast and Caribbean Regional Team Representative

External Regional Collaboration

•  Gulf of Mexico Alliance
•  Gulf of Maine Data Partnership
  
• Southeast Coastal Ocean Observations Regional Association (SECOORA)