In addition to habitat maps, one of the key missing ingredients is data on the biologic associations of species and habitats in nearshore waters. This aspect is being addressed by the merging of the NOAA “HUD” (Habitat Use Database) with data from ODFW databases and its Nearshore Strategy (http://www.dfw.state.or.us/MRP/nearshore/). The HUD targets the 82 federally managed groundfish species, and makes adult and juvenile associations with substrate, depth, latitude, temperature and other factors. A similar database for inshore noncommercial species and invertebrates was developed at ODFW during it’s Nearshore resources Planning Project , and is now being merged with the NOAA HUD in an effort led by Waldo Wakefield of the NOAA NWFSC.
Contributed by Chris Goldfinger Cathy Tortorici and Andy Lanier
A consortium of West Coast Habitat centers has formed to propose a program to the congressional delegations of the five west coast states and Pacific Territories. The proposed center would be called the Pacific Consortium of Undersea Habitat Centers, and would begin with modest funding to pursue scientific investigations into habitat characterization, marine ecosystems, techniques and sensor technology, temporal change, and include an education and outreach component. The initial push includes academic institutions, NGO’s, relevant agencies and links to NOAA’s NURP centers. For more information, see the 2 pager at the end of this newsletter, and also posted at http://activetectonics.coas.oregonstate.edu/OMCMG.
A diverse and extra-organizational workshop on seafloor mapping for the state of Washington was held at the NOAA facility in Sandpoint (Seattle, WA) over January 22 to 23, 2008. The workshop attracted 124 individuals and was conceived, planned, and conducted cooperatively by representatives of state, federal, and not-for-profit organizations whose objectives are to: highlight advanced mapping technologies and products, foster discussion and communication within the community, identify data gaps, and priorities for mapping, and to develop partnerships to advance mapping in Washington waters. Stimuli for the workshop included The West Coast Governors Agreement on Ocean Health (http://westcoastoceans.gov) and similar workshops in California (CSU Monterey Bay, December 12-13, 2005 & USGS Menlo Park, May 2-3, 2007) that resulted in California’s exceptional territorial sea mapping project; highlighting an increasing awareness and need for ocean mapping products to solve pressing management and conservation issues.
Short presentations of relevant technologies and mapping efforts by invited speakers were made on both days of the meeting serving to bring everyone up to date and providing base information for breakout sessions in the afternoon. Given that the majority of research effort and funding has historically focused on the Puget Sound and that the Sound and Outer Coastal environments differ so greatly, breakout groups were split along those geographic divisions and were tasked with identifying the unique needs and priorities within each. While the recommendations of each group varied somewhat there was a clear realization of need for baseline seafloor mapping data in support of management and that it’ll be “far more expensive not to do the mapping than to do the mapping”. Of particular note: the workshop participants felt that the Outer Coastal Environment, the Washington Territorial Sea, and the Puget Sound all shared an equal priority or need for mapping. This broad approach is a departure from the territorial sea focus of California and Oregon. Consensus was also reached that strategic and business plans be developed for the purposes of prioritizing interest areas, standardizing methods and products, and targeting funding. We expect to see many partnerships develop and persist, leveraging resources toward these ends.
A Summary Proceedings document is in the works and will be distributed to workshop participants or other interested parties. Contact Wayne Palsson (PALSSWAP@DFW.WA.GOV WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife), Gary Greene (greene@cruzio.com Tombolo), or Jennifer Hennessey (JENH461@ecy.wa.gov WA Dept. of Ecology) for workshop related information.
Workshop Report contributed by Chris Romsos and Waldo Wakefield