The Caribbean Coastal Ocean Observing System, Inc. (CARICOOS), previously named Caribbean Regional Association for Ocean Observing (CaRA), was established on April 12, 2013. Since its early existence, CARICOOS Inc. development and enhancement has been intimately related to the University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez (UPRM). The role of the latter as a fiscal agent allowed for the formalization of CARA (now CARICOOS) with minimal investment in administrative management.
CARICOOS Inc. is now a not-for-profit corporation organized and operated exclusively for scientific, and/or educational purposes within the meaning of § 501(c)(3) of the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and §1101.01(a)(2) of the Puerto Rico Internal Revenue Code of 2011. CARICOOS Inc. serves as the sole fiscal agent for the observing system and provides the administrative support required for the implementation and management of the system. Members (representatives of institutions, government agencies, incorporated organizations, individuals, or divisions with legal status) that sign the Membership Application Form agree to be bound by the Articles of Incorporation and the Bylaws. These documents provide CARICOOS with the organizational structure required to support its mission and goals of CARICOOS.
A Memorandum of Agreement was formalized in 2022 to maintain continued support and collaboration between CARICOOS Inc. and University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, as well as to define the relationship between both entities.
Memorandum of Agreement 2021-2026
CARICOOS Strategic Operational Plan 2021-2026
Memorandum of Agreement 2016-2021