NOAA CoastWatch: Meeting User Requirements in the Distribution of Ocean Remote Sensing Data & Products

In 1987, satellite sea surface temperature images were mailed to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Beaufort Laboratory to aid in tracking the first documented harmful algal bloom (HAB) along the North Carolina coast [1]. The HAB event demonstrated the need of Federal, State, and Local government scientists to use satellite imagery to aid in monitoring bio-oceanographic events. This led to establishment of the NOAA CoastWatch Program in 1989. Today, there are many types of users of satellite ocean remote sensing data products-Public, Commercial, Academic, and Federal, State, and Local Governments) needing both near real-time or delayed/science quality satellite oceanographic data. The CoastWatch data inventory has increased in both temporal and spatial holdings. These data are distributed through several services with the understanding that 'one size does not fit all' for data distribution. Through services, web pages, and online applications, CoastWatch allows users to interactively visualize, access or set up automated machine-to-machine scripts to acquire a wide variety of satellite oceanographic data and products.