NOAA Nominee Discusses Emergency Alert System and Illegal Fishing

Improving Emergency Weather Warnings

• 💡 Dr. Jacobs, nominated to lead NOAA, prioritizes advancing numerical weather prediction and modernizing NOAA Weather Radio.
• ⚡ He aims to improve communication methods, suggesting a shift from copper wire to telecom and satellite for message delivery, especially during late hours.
• 🧠 The nominee envisions a system similar to NTSB's post-event assessments for weather disasters to gather data on what worked and what didn't.

Enhancing Weather Forecasting Models

• 🎯 To close the gap with superior European models, Dr. Jacobs emphasizes collecting better observations and advancing data assimilation techniques, including four-dimensional variational data assimilation.
• 📊 Mr. Jordan agrees, highlighting the need for targeted investment in data assimilation and model code development, alongside pushing the technology stack for new data sources.
• ☁️ Dr. Jacobs proposes transitioning the National Weather Service's AWIPS software to the cloud, enabling faster data processing and remote access for forecasters.
• 🌍 This cloud-based system would allow forecasters to embed in emergency operations centers and work from anywhere, improving response during crises.

Combating Illegal Fishing

• 🎣 Dr. Jacobs identifies illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing as a top priority, citing recent seizures of red snapper.
• 🛰️ He suggests using new technology, such as satellite tracking for boats that disable transponders, to combat illegal fishing.
• 🦐 Enhancing the seafood inspection and monitoring program is also proposed, including verifying the origins of imported seafood like shrimp, much of which is mislabeled.