Ocean Research and Resources
Advisory Panel

The Ocean Research Advisory Panel (ORAP) was formed to advise the NORLC. Renamed from the ORAP, the Ocean Research and Resources Advisory Panel (ORRAP) is called on in the Administration's Ocean Action Plan to provide independent advice and guidance through an expanded version of the Panel that includes resource management. As with ORAP, membership is comprised of individuals from the National Academies, state government, academia, and ocean industries, representing marine science, marine policy, and other related fields, which now specifically include resource management. The ORRAP is an advisory committee under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). Additional information on the Panel and its responsibilities can be found in the ORRAP Charter.

Recognizing the particular importance of certain topics to the U.S. ocean science and education enterprise, the ORRAP has established three Sub-panels to examine these topics in greater depth. The three Sub-panels present recommendations for the ORRAP to refine and provide to the heads of federal agencies. To learn more about them, please visit the ORRAP Sub-panels page.

Transition to a New Administration

Fulfilling its mandate to provide independent guidance and recommendations to federal agencies, and recognizing the opportunity to advise the incoming Obama administration on ways to maximize the benefits of ocean research and resources, the ORRAP developed a strategic transition document. This document, and the high-priority recommendations contained within, can be viewed here.

Special topic: Transitioning Research to Applications

To address the issue of transitioning research to applications, ORRAP recommended the formation of a special task force—the Research to Applications Task Force (RATF)—to provide recommendations for increased transitioning of funded research. RATF was formed in the fall of 2006 and submitted its report to ORRAP in the summer of 2007. The ORRAP unanimously accepted the report and submitted it to the agency head-level NORLC, where it was likewise favorably received.

The report can be viewed by clicking here.

Next Meeting

The next ORRAP meeting date is scheduled for 15-16 March 2010 in Washington, DC, at the Consortium for Ocean Leadership.

Last Meeting

The most recent ORRAP meeting was held on 17-18 November 2009 in Orlando, FL.

Membership

VADM Paul Gaffney, (USN Ret.), Monmouth University - Chair
Ms. Debra Hernandez, Hernandez and Company - Vice-Chair
Dr. Peter Betzer, St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership
Dr. Max Coon, NorthWest Research Associates
Dr. Dan Costa, University of California, Santa Cruz
Dr. Robert Cowen, University of Miami
Ms. Jane Davis, Walt Disney World Animal Programs
Mr. Randy Fisher, Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission
Mr. Paul Kelly, Rowan Companies (ret.)
Dr. Shirley Pomponi, Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution
Dr. Larry Robinson, Florida A&M University
Dr. Celia Smith, University of Hawaii
Mr. Kerry St. Pé, Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Program

Designated Federal Official (DFO):
Dr. Linwood Vincent, Office of Naval Research

Staff:
Mr. Benjamin Chicoski, Consortium for Ocean Leadership -- Contact Ben

Meetings

The ORRAP meets three times per year to advise on policies and procedures to implement NOPP and provide recommendations on interagency activities as considered appropriate. Its Sub-panels meet as needed. Documents from these meetings can be found through the links listed below.

• COSEE memo to ORRAP Education Sub-panel
• Marine ecosystem-based management 1-pager
• JSOST response to ORRAP recommendation regarding the ORPPIS

• Ocean Observing Sub-panel recommendations to parent ORRAP

• NOAA-NASA satellite observing presentation and animations