Gulf Of Mexico Alliance Ten Year Summary Report: 2004-2014

This Gulf of Mexico Alliance Ten Year Summary Report documents the projects and accomplishments of the Alliance from 2004 to 2014. The Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA) is a partnership of the five U.S. Gulf States, federal agencies, academic organizations, businesses, and other non-governmental organizations. Our mission is to enhance the environmental and economic health of the Gulf of Mexico through increased regional collaboration. GOMA was established in 2004 by the leadership of the Governors of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas in response to a regional call to action in the U.S. Ocean Action Plan. The five U.S. Gulf State Governors signed the first Governors’ Action Plan for Healthy and Resilient Coasts in 2006 and the second Governors’ Action Plan II for Healthy and Resilient Coasts in 2009. Throughout the years, federal, state, non-governmental, academic, and business partner members worked together to address the region’s priorities: . Water Quality for Healthy Beaches and Seafood – specifically focusing on mercury in seafood, harmful algal blooms, pathogens, and monitoring . Habitat Conservation and Restoration – specifically focusing on reversing the downward trend in habitat and ecosystem services, Gulf regional sediment management master plan, technology development, and policy changes . Ecosystem Integration and Assessment – specifically focusing on emergent wetlands status and trends report, living marine resources, ecological services valuation, Gulf of Mexico master mapping plan, data access and acquisition . Nutrient Impact Reduction to Coastal Ecosystems – specifically focusing on nutrient characterization, criteria development and reduction strategies, and hypoxia . Coastal Community Resilience – specifically focusing on risk and resilience assessment, management toolbox, and communication . Environmental Education – specifically focusing on community education and outreach, public awareness, K through 20 environmental literacy, and economic value communication. This report provides a brief overview of the history of GOMA and the Priority Issue Team projects accomplished from 2004-2014. The selection and stewarding of projects completed under the guidance of the Priority Issue Teams includes the efforts of many groups participating in the Gulf of Mexico Alliance as "partners." The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Gulf of Mexico Program provided significant financial support and participation.