Underwater gliders are a unique and important observing system used to serve a variety of subsurface observing missions. Gliders can monitor water currents, temperature, tagged animals and oceanographic conditions that reveal effects from storms, impacts on fisheries, and the quality of our water. This data creates a more complete picture of what is happening in the ocean, as well as trends that scientists can detect, and use to inform management efforts.

These versatile vehicles collect information from deep water, as well as at the surface at a lower cost with reduced risk. More and more gliders are being deployed and are revolutionizing how we observe our ocean.