Identification of the existing information needs from all coastal and ocean resource users in PR and the USVI is essential in the development of the CARICOOS 5 years Strategic Plan. Collecting information about user preferences involves a formal consultation process or what’s commonly called as a “needs assessment”.  Through this process, stakeholders assist in the identification of opportunities to expand CARICOOS observational assets, forecast and services in the Caribbean region.

As part of the need assessment process, for the last couple of months CARICOOS developed an online survey to gather information about the Program’s user’s profile, tools they commonly used to support decision making when planning marine recreation activities, and, needed additional services and tools.  So far, 206 participants, mostly from Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands, have answered the survey. Most of the participants were from the recreational, conservation, management and coastal ecosystem restoration and safety sectors.  Preliminary results indicate that more than 80% of the respondents are using CARICOOS products on a regular basis, mostly to obtain information on current coastal conditions and forecasts for these.  Climate change products, including ocean acidification and sea temperature are also accessed by many users. Regarding their needs of additional tools, participants are mostly interested in beach safety (presence of pathogens in water, beach erosion and sargassum), extreme conditions advisories and sargassum arrival products.

Since Sargassum arrival is of great concern for the recreational, touristic and  marine resources conservation and management sectors, the next step in this on-going needs assessment process involves identification of the impacts of Sargassum and the needs of products for early warning detection of beaching events reaching our coasts. This assessment will be mainly addressed to coastal municipalities, fishermen, marinas, and hotels along the coastline. 

CARICOOS is carefully evaluating the results of the need assessments in order to improve our services.