On October 25th -27th, the Co-Chairs of the West Coast Ocean Data Portal engaged in the inaugural meetings of the West Coast Ocean Partnership and Regional Planning Body.  Presentations (WCOP, WCRPB) were provided to the groups in order to clearly lay out the needs of the WCODP in moving forward in support of regional ocean planning and collaboration activities.   The consensus amongst the WCOP and WCRPB members following the presentations was of support for the Portal, with an identified need to find the financial resources necessary that will allow the WCODP to operate at full capacity to support regional ocean partnership and planning efforts.