Sustained and integrated observation of the coastal ocean is an international initiative that will provide substantial benefits to the economy, to security and environmental conservation. In the United States , coastal observing systems are being channeled through "regional associations" of users and data suppliers.
Funding from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, has allowed the organization of the Caribbean Regional Association for Integrated Coastal Ocean Observing. CaRA is developing the Integrated Coastal Ocean Observing System for the Caribbean (CarICOOS) covering Puerto Rico, the American Virgin Islands and the Island of Navassa west of Haiti.