Description: This dataset locates regional ecosystem restoration projects that, when implemented, will improve ocean health in New England (Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut). The dataset was developed and is maintained by the Northeast Regional Planning Body Restoration Subcommittee. It only includes those projects that are not fully funded and therefore represent an opportunity to invest in ocean health. A majority of these projects are eligible for federal funding and are seeking the non-federal cost sharing match. A point has been placed at the approximate location of the restoration project. See process steps for more information on how site locations were mapped for each project. Any parties interested in funding the non-federal portion of a project can contact BillHubbard@CoastalAmericaFoundation.org or the appropriate state subcommittee representative for additional information.
Description: This layer is an aggregation of Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) datasets for all 39 species under federal management in the Mid-Atlantic amd Northeas using source data from 2009. EFH is defined as those waters and substrate necessary to fish for spawning, breeding, feeding, or growth to maturity. This layer represents an overlay of EFH polygons for numerous species, including American Plaice, Atlantic Cod, Atlantic Halibut, Atlantic Herring, Atlantic Sea Scallop, Atlantic Wolffish, Barndoor Skate, Black Sea Bass, Bluefish, Butterfish, Clearnose Skate, Haddock, Little Skate, Longfin Inshore Squid, Mackerel, Monkfish, Northern Shortfin Squid, Ocean Pout, Offshore Hake, Pollock, Quahog, Redfish, Red Crab, Red Hake, Rosette Skate, Scup, Silver Hake, Smooth Skate, Spiny Dogfish, Surfclam, Summer Flounder, Tilefish, Thorny Skate, White Hake, Windowpane Flounder, Winter Flounder, Winter Skate, Witch Flounder, and Yellowtail Flounder. This layer was developed for general visualization and informational purposes only and does not necessarily represent the most important habitats. The Nature Conservancy obtained individual EFH layers from NOAA. The data presented here do not represent EFH for individual species but rather the number of overlapping EFH in any given location.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: The Nature Conservancy, National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS), Mid-Atlantic Regional Ocean Council
Description: This layer shows an aggregation of multiple Essential Fish Habitat (EFH) datasets for Highly Migratory Species along the Atlantic coast and in the Gulf of Mexico. EFH is defined as those waters and substrate necessary to fish for spawning, breeding, feeding, or growth to maturity. This layer represents an overlay of EFH polygons for 42 species, including Albacore Tuna, Angel Shark, Atlantic Sharpnose Shark, Basking Shark, Bigeye Thresher Shark, Bigeye Tuna, Bignose Shark, Blacknose Shark, Blacktip Shark, Bluefin Tuna, Blue Marlin, Blue Shark, Bonnethead Shark, Bull Shark, Caribbean Reef Shark, Common Thresher Shark, Dusky Shark, Finetooth Shark, Great Hammerhead Shark, Lemon Shark, Longbill Spearfish, Longfin Mako Shark, Night Shark, Nurse Shark, Oceanic Whitetip Shark, Porbeagle Roundscale Spearfish, Shark, Sailfish, Sandbar Shark, Sand Tiger Shark, Scalloped Hammerhead Shark, Shortfin Mako Shark, Silky Shark, Skipjack Tuna, Smooth Dogfish, Spinner Shark, Swordfish, Tiger Shark, Whale Shark, White Marlin, White Shark, and Yellowfin Tuna. This layer was developed for general visualization and informational purposes only and does not necessarily represent the most important habitats. Additionally, only certain species were included in this analysis; included species are those under Federal management for which spatial data exists. The data presented here do not represent EFH for individual species but rather the number of overlapping EFH in any given location.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
Name: Sea Scallops Biomass, meat weight in kg (NEFSC) - Draft
Display Field: surveyVessel
Type: Feature Layer
Geometry Type: esriGeometryPoint
Description: This layer displays scallop biomass (meat weights in kilograms) from all NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center NEFSC scallop dredge surveys from 1966 to 2014. The NEFSC scallop survey program began in 1960 and had a major gear change in 1979. Since 1979 there have been other gear and vessel changes, for which the effects are generally small. In cases where it was deemed appropriate after study, correction factors have been applied to the data. These data are used to help assess the stock of scallops in the North Atlantic. <p> Other data that are collected during NEFSC scallop dredge surveys (but that are not shown here) include scallop shell heights, the number and height of dead scallop shells, any finfish, cephalopods and lobsters caught during the survey, as well as the presence/absence of other bivalve species (e.g., ocean quahogs, razor clams) and invertebrate species (e.g., sand dollars, anemones).
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), School of Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Name: Sea Scallops Biomass, meat weight in kg (NEFSC) - Draft
Display Field: surveyVessel
Type: Feature Layer
Geometry Type: esriGeometryPoint
Description: This layer displays scallop biomass (meat weights in kilograms) from all NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center NEFSC scallop dredge surveys from 1966 to 2014. The NEFSC scallop survey program began in 1960 and had a major gear change in 1979. Since 1979 there have been other gear and vessel changes, for which the effects are generally small. In cases where it was deemed appropriate after study, correction factors have been applied to the data. These data are used to help assess the stock of scallops in the North Atlantic. <p> Other data that are collected during NEFSC scallop dredge surveys (but that are not shown here) include scallop shell heights, the number and height of dead scallop shells, any finfish, cephalopods and lobsters caught during the survey, as well as the presence/absence of other bivalve species (e.g., ocean quahogs, razor clams) and invertebrate species (e.g., sand dollars, anemones).
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), School of Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Description: This layer shows the average abundance (2003 - 2012) of Sea scallops, colored by percentile. Abundance of 1 or more represents an area with commercially viable scallop densities. This data product was created using the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School of Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) video survey from 2003 through 2012 joined to the New England Fishery Management Council Swept Area Seabed Impact (SASI) model grid. The SMAST video survey covered the Continental Shelf from the southern Mid-Atlantic to the USA-Canadian border on eastern Georges Bank.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School of Marine Science and Technology (SMAST), The Nature Conservancy (TNC).
Name: NEFSC Gulf of Maine Bottom Longline Survey Strata
Display Field: STRATUMA
Type: Feature Layer
Geometry Type: esriGeometryPolygon
Description: Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC/NMFS/NOAA) bottom longline survey (BLLS) strata, sampled in spring and late fall since 2014. The BLLS targets rocky habitat in the western and central Gulf of Maine. To ensure that BLLS data complements data collected during NEFSC bottom trawl surveys, NEFSC samples in the same areas in that part of the Gulf and uses the same methods for selecting sampling stations within each area. Thirty-eight (38) rough-bottom stations and seven smooth-bottom stations are sampled each season. This results in station density comparable to that of NEFSC bottom trawl surveys, but weighted to sample more stations in structured habitat. The survey provides data on commercially and recreationally important fish species as well as critical information about data-poor species (e.g., Cusk, Atlantic wolffish, Thorny skate, and Atlantic halibut.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC)
Description: This map layer shows sightings per unit effort (SPUE) for leatherback sea turtles from the Gulf of Maine to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, during winter. The data cover the period from 1979 to 2007 and are shown on the map in ten-minute squares. The Nature Conservancy generated this map layer using a geospatial dataset compiled by the U.S. Navy, including sightings data from NMFS-NEFSC Aerial Surveys, NMFS-NEFSC Shipboard Surveys, and the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium Database. Navy contractors screened and verified the validity of sightings.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: The Nature Conservancy 2010, U.S. Navy
Description: This map layer shows sightings per unit effort (SPUE) for leatherback sea turtles from the Gulf of Maine to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, during spring. The data cover the period from 1979 to 2007 and are shown on the map in ten-minute squares. The Nature Conservancy generated this map layer using a geospatial dataset compiled by the U.S. Navy, including sightings data from NMFS-NEFSC Aerial Surveys, NMFS-NEFSC Shipboard Surveys, and the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium Database. Navy contractors screened and verified the validity of sightings.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: The Nature Conservancy 2010, U.S. Navy
Description: This map layer shows sightings per unit effort (SPUE) for leatherback sea turtles from the Gulf of Maine to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, during fall. The data cover the period from 1979 to 2007 and are shown on the map in ten-minute squares. The Nature Conservancy generated this map layer using a geospatial dataset compiled by the U.S. Navy, including sightings data from NMFS-NEFSC Aerial Surveys, NMFS-NEFSC Shipboard Surveys, and the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium Database . Navy contractors screened and verified the validity of sightings.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: The Nature Conservancy 2010, U.S. Navy
Description: This map layer shows sightings per unit effort (SPUE) for leatherback sea turtles from the Gulf of Maine to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, during summer. The data cover the period from 1979 to 2007 and are shown on the map in ten-minute squares. The Nature Conservancy generated this map layer using a geospatial dataset compiled by the U.S. Navy, including sightings data from NMFS-NEFSC Aerial Surveys, NMFS-NEFSC Shipboard Surveys, and the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium Database. Navy contractors screened and verified the validity of sightings.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: The Nature Conservancy 2010, U.S. Navy
Description: This map layer shows sightings per unit effort (SPUE) for loggerhead sea turtles from the Gulf of Maine to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, during winter. The data cover the period from 1979 to 2007 and are shown on the map in ten-minute squares. The Nature Conservancy generated this map layer using a geospatial dataset compiled by the U.S. Navy, including sightings data from NMFS-NEFSC Aerial Surveys, NMFS-NEFSC Shipboard Surveys, and the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium Database. Navy contractors screened and verified the validity of sightings.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: The Nature Conservancy 2010, U.S. Navy
Description: This map layer shows sightings per unit effort (SPUE) for loggerhead sea turtles from the Gulf of Maine to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, during spring. The data cover the period from 1979 to 2007 and are shown on the map in ten-minute squares. The Nature Conservancy generated this map layer using a geospatial dataset compiled by the U.S. Navy, including sightings data from NMFS-NEFSC Aerial Surveys, NMFS-NEFSC Shipboard Surveys, and the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium Database. Navy contractors screened and verified the validity of sightings.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: The Nature Conservancy 2010, U.S. Navy
Description: This map layer shows sightings per unit effort (SPUE) for loggerhead sea turtles from the Gulf of Maine to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, during summer. The data cover the period from 1979 to 2007 and are shown on the map in ten-minute squares. The Nature Conservancy generated this map layer using a geospatial dataset compiled by the U.S. Navy, including sightings data from NMFS-NEFSC Aerial Surveys, NMFS-NEFSC Shipboard Surveys, and the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium Database. Navy contractors screened and verified the validity of sightings.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: The Nature Conservancy 2010, U.S. Navy
Description: This map layer shows sightings per unit effort (SPUE) for loggerhead sea turtles from the Gulf of Maine to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, during fall. The data cover the period from 1979 to 2007 and are shown on the map in ten-minute squares. The Nature Conservancy generated this map layer using a geospatial dataset compiled by the U.S. Navy, including sightings data from NMFS-NEFSC Aerial Surveys, NMFS-NEFSC Shipboard Surveys, and the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium Database. Navy contractors screened and verified the validity of sightings.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: The Nature Conservancy 2010, U.S. Navy
Description: This map layer shows sightings per unit effort (SPUE) for green sea turtles from the Gulf of Maine to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, during winter. The data cover the period from 1979 to 2007 and are shown on the map in ten-minute squares. The Nature Conservancy generated this map layer using a geospatial dataset compiled by the U.S. Navy, including sightings data from NMFS-NEFSC Aerial Surveys, NMFS-NEFSC Shipboard Surveys, and the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium Database. Navy contractors screened and verified the validity of sightings.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: The Nature Conservancy 2010, U.S. Navy
Description: This map layer shows sightings per unit effort (SPUE) for green sea turtles from the Gulf of Maine to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, during spring. The data cover the period from 1979 to 2007 and are shown on the map in ten-minute squares. The Nature Conservancy generated this map layer using a geospatial dataset compiled by the U.S. Navy, including sightings data from NMFS-NEFSC Aerial Surveys, NMFS-NEFSC Shipboard Surveys, and the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium Database. Navy contractors screened and verified the validity of sightings.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: The Nature Conservancy 2010, U.S. Navy
Description: This map layer shows sightings per unit effort (SPUE) for green sea turtles from the Gulf of Maine to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, during summer. The data cover the period from 1979 to 2007 and are shown on the map in ten-minute squares. The Nature Conservancy generated this map layer using a geospatial dataset compiled by the U.S. Navy, including sightings data from NMFS-NEFSC Aerial Surveys, NMFS-NEFSC Shipboard Surveys, and the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium Database. Navy contractors screened and verified the validity of sightings.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: The Nature Conservancy 2010, U.S. Navy
Description: This map layer shows sightings per unit effort (SPUE) for green sea turtles from the Gulf of Maine to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, during fall. The data cover the period from 1979 to 2007 and are shown on the map in ten-minute squares. The Nature Conservancy generated this map layer using a geospatial dataset compiled by the U.S. Navy, including sightings data from NMFS-NEFSC Aerial Surveys, NMFS-NEFSC Shipboard Surveys, and the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium Database. Navy contractors screened and verified the validity of sightings.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: The Nature Conservancy 2010, U.S. Navy
Description: This data layer is a point coverage of known sediment samplings, inspections and probings from the usSEABED data collection and integrated using the software system dbSEABED. This data layer represents the extracted (EXT) output of the dbSEABED mining software. It contains data items which were simply extracted from the data resources through data mining. The EXT data is usually based on instrumental analyses (probe or laboratory) but may apply to just a subsample of the sediment (eg. no large shells).
Substrate classifiers from the Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS) have been joined to the original USGS attribute table using the “FOLK CODE” field. These additional joined fields are CMECS Substrate Subgroup and CMECS Substrate Group. All of the original USGS attributes have been retained.
The legend for this map is classified using CMECS Substrate Group categories.
Description: This dataset is intended to be a companion layer to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Data Series usSEABED Atlantic Coast Offshore Surficial Sediment extracted data for the entire U.S. Atlantic Coast. The usSEABED Extracted Data for the Entire U.S. Atlantic Coast depicts the point locations of known sediment samplings, inspections and probings from the usSEABED data collection which were integrated using the software system dbSEABED. These point locations were extracted from the database through data mining. The resulting dataset contains information on samples from 58 individual datasets collected by the USGS and other research projects, and includes data processed by the USGS sediment laboratory, in addition to datasets compiled from gray literature or unpublished sources. More information on this dataset can be found in the </SPAN></SPAN><A href="http://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/2005/118/htmldocs/data_cata.htm"><SPAN><SPAN>metadata document</SPAN></SPAN></A><SPAN><SPAN>. </SPAN></SPAN<SPAN><SPAN>
<P>The data quality index is informed by a methodology developed and employed by the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (Ford & Voss 2010) and the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (Sampson & Huntley 2015) and which assigns data quality values to variables including the age of the sample, the sampling device, and the analytical technique used.
Description: This data product shows sediment stability from the southern Mid-Atlantic to the USA-Canadian border on eastern Georges Bank. Values from 0 to 1 are considered "Stable" sediments and colored in shades of blue. Values above 1 are considered "Unstable" sediments and colored in yellow-to-red gradient. This layer was created with substrate information collected by the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School of Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) video survey from 1999 through 2012 and shear stress estimates from the Northeast Coastal Ocean Forecast System, which is a part of the Finite-Volume Community Ocean Model. Output cell size is 1-km.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School of Marine Science and Technology (SMAST), The Nature Conservancy (TNC).
Description: This layer classifies soft-sediments based on their grain size. Source data include USGS usSeabed: Atlantic coast offshore surficial sediment data (Data series 118, version 1.0) and the USGS East Coast Sediment Texture Database (2005), Woods Hole Coastal and Marine Science Center. Point-based data were interpolated using krigging tools to create this layer. Resulting values were classified based on grain-size according to the Wentworth (1922) scale. This classification process resulted in the following classes: clay (< 0.002 mmm), silt (0.024 – 0.06), very fine sand (0.06 – 0.125 mm), fine sand (0.125 – 0.25 mm), medium sand (0.25 – 0.5 mm), coarse sand (0.5 – 1.0 mm), very coarse sand (1 – 2 mm), and Gravel/granule (> 2 mm). Finally, point data was interpolated using kriging to create the resulting raster layer. The spatial resolution of this layer is 500 meters.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: Anderson, M. G., Greene, J., Morse, D., Shumway, D. and Clark, M (2010) Benthic Habitats of the Northwest Atlantic in Greene, J.K., M.G. Anderson, J. Odell, and N. Steinberg, eds. The Northwest Atlantic Marine Ecoregional Assessment: Species, Habitats and Ecosystems. Phase One. The Nature Conservancy, Eastern U.S. Division, Boston, MA.
Description: This is a climatological product based on the unstructured Finite Volume Coastal Ocean Model (FVCOM), developed by the Marine Ecosystem Dynamics Modeling Laboratory at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. <p>A climatology is a long term average of a given environmental variable over a certain time range. This layer shows the annual average surface temperature from 1978 to 2013, which comprises 36 years for which FVCOM hindcast data are available.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), RPS Applied Science Associates (RPS ASA)
Description: This is a climatological toloical product based on the unstructured Finite Volume Coastal Ocean Model (FVCOM), developed by the Marine Ecosystem Dynamics Modeling Laboratory at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. <p>A climatology is a long term average of a given environmental variable over a certain time range. This layer shows the annual average bottom temperature from 1978 to 2013, which comprises 36 years for which FVCOM hindcast data are available.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), RPS Applied Science Associates (RPS ASA)
Description: This is a climatological product based on the unstructured Finite Volume Coastal Ocean Model (FVCOM), developed by the Marine Ecosystem Dynamics Modeling Laboratory at the University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. <p>A climatology is a long term average of a given environmental variable over a certain time range. This layer shows the annual average stratification from 1978 to 2013, which comprises 36 years for which FVCOM hindcast data are available. Mean and standard deviation of density at surface minus the density at 20 meters (or bottom, whichever is shallower), divided by the difference in depth between the two observations.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology (SMAST), Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), RPS Applied Science Associates (RPS ASA)
Description: Eelgrass (Zostera marina) meadows are critical wetlands components of shallow coastal ecosystems throughout the region. Eelgrass meadows provide food and cover for a great variety of commercially and recreationally important fauna and their prey. Eelgrass and other seagrasses are often referred to as "Submerged Aquatic Vegetation" or SAV. This distinguishes them from algae, which are not classified as "plants" by biologists (rather they are often placed in the kingdom protista), and distinguishes them from the "emergent" saltwater plants found in salt marshes. In addition to the term SAV, some coastal managers use the term SRV or submerged rooted vegetation. The Eelgrass Meadows layer was created from several separate datasets for the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York. Where possible, polygon datasets depicting the most recent eelgrass surveys were used. Attributes with common themes for each dataset were integrated in order to better represent eelgrass density and year sampled. The data user is encouraged to read this and the metadata of each individual state’s data carefully, as geometry, attribute details, and timeliness are not necessarily consistent among datasets used to develop this layer. Details of each state’s data source are described in the data processing section of the metadata. Note that the eelgrass distribution data is presence-only. Because surveys of eelgrass do not encompass all coastal waters, absence of eelgrass in a particular place on the map does not necessarily mean that eelgrass does not live at that location.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: This data was compiled by the Northeast Ocean Data Portal using datasets from the Maine Departments of Marine Resources and Environmental Protection, University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, Piscataqua Region Estuary Partnership, NH GRANIT (New Hampshire Geographically Referenced Analysis and Information Transfer System), Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, MassGIS, Rhode Island Eelgrass Task Force, RIGIS, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Peconic Estuary Partnership, and New York Natural Heritage Program, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Description: The purpose of mapping historical eelgrass extent is to create a reference layer depicting areas where eelgrass was present in the past and/or could be present again in the future throughout coastal New England waters. The historical eelgrass extent layer was created from several separate datasets for the states of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York. Datasets that were included in the historical layer were derived from quantitative surveys such as aerial photography and/or field verification. The range of historical data available varied greatly by state. The data user is encouraged to read this and the metadata of each individual state’s data carefully, as geometry, attribute details, and timeliness are not necessarily consistent among datasets used to develop this layer. All of the datasets used to develop the historical eelgrass extent layer are available separately for download at <a href="https://www.northeastoceandata.org/eelgrass/" target="_blank">https://www.northeastoceandata.org/eelgrass/</a>.
<br/>
<ul> <li><b>Maine:</b> 1997, 2001-2010, 2013, 2018</li> <li><b>New Hampshire:</b> 1981, 1986-2017, 2019</li> <li><b>Massachusetts:</b> 1995, 2001, 2006-2007, 2010-2013, 2015-2017, 2019</li>
<li><b>Rhode Island:</b> 1988, 1996, 2000, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2016</li>
<li><b>Connecticut:</b> 1974-1996, 2002, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2017</li>
<li><b>New York:</b> 1930, 2000, 2003-2014</li></ul>
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: This data was compiled by the Northeast Ocean Data Portal using historical datasets from the Maine Departments of Marine Resources and Environmental Protection, University of New Hampshire, New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services, Piscataqua Region Estuary Partnership, NH GRANIT (New Hampshire Geographically Referenced Analysis and Information Transfer System), Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries, MassGIS, Rhode Island Eelgrass Task Force, RIGIS, Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Peconic Estuary Partnership, and New York Natural Heritage Program, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
Description: This layer shows areas suitable for shellfish habitat in Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Shellfish species included in this dataset are oysters (American oyster, Eastern oyster, European oyster), clams (Atlantic surf clam, ocean quahog, quahog, razor clam, and soft-shell clam), blue mussel, and scallops (bay scallop and sea scallop). The areas in Maine were based on data from February 2008 to September 2010. The areas in Massachusetts delineate areas along the coast where shellfish have been observed since the mid-1970’s. The areas in New Hampshire delineate tidal shellfish beds from 2005 to 2013. Please see metadata for more information on this dataset.
Description: This dataset represents the extent and approximate location of coastal wetlands in the northeastern United States. The data presented were exclusively derived from the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI). The classification system used by the NWI was assessed by wetland specialists and classes were selected to specifically represent coastal wetlands. Coastal wetlands were defined as vegetated wetlands in saline or brackish waters that were not permanently flooded, or not in open water. The NWI classes that applied to this definition included estuarine intertidal emergent, estuarine intertidal scrub-shrub, estuarine intertidal forested, and estuarine intertidal unconsolidated shore with organic soil types that were irregularly flooded.
Description: This map layer shows the average rate of photosynthesis, or mean primary production, between 1998 and 2007. The dataset is a result of a model that combined satellite chlorophyll, sea surface temperature, and photosynthetic activation radiation data. The sensors that were used to detect these phenomena were SeaWIFS, AVHRR-Pathfinder, MODIS-Terra, and MODIS-Aqua.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: Northeast Fisheries Science Center
Description: This data product shows the median concentration of the pigment Chlorophyll-a (mg/m3) in surface waters during Winter months (December to February) from 2003 to 2015. Chlorophyll-a concentration is often used as a proxy for phytoplankton abundance. This dataset was created by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) using remote sensing data from the Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer (MODIS, a sensor onboard the Aqua satellite) provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). This layer covers offshore waters from North Carolina to northern Maine, with a spatial resolution of 1300 meters. Pixels with no data represent data points either consistently flagged by NASA during post-processing or shallower than 10 meters of depth. This layer has a spatial resolution of 1300 meters.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The Nature Conservancy (TNC).
Description: This data product shows the median concentration of the pigment Chlorophyll-a (mg/m3) in surface waters during Spring months (March to May) from 2003 to 2015. Chlorophyll-a concentration is often used as a proxy for phytoplankton abundance. This dataset was created by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) using remote sensing data from the Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer (MODIS, a sensor onboard the Aqua satellite) provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). This layer covers offshore waters from North Carolina to northern Maine, with a spatial resolution of 1300 meters. Pixels with no data represent data points either consistently flagged by NASA during post-processing or shallower than 10 meters of depth. This layer has a spatial resolution of 1300 meters.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The Nature Conservancy (TNC).
Description: This data product shows the median concentration of the pigment Chlorophyll-a (mg/m3) in surface waters during Summer months (June to August) from 2003 to 2015. Chlorophyll-a concentration is often used as a proxy for phytoplankton abundance. This dataset was created by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) using remote sensing data from the Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer (MODIS, a sensor onboard the Aqua satellite) provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). This layer covers offshore waters from North Carolina to northern Maine, with a spatial resolution of 1300 meters. Pixels with no data represent data points either consistently flagged by NASA during post-processing or shallower than 10 meters of depth. This layer has a spatial resolution of 1300 meters.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The Nature Conservancy (TNC).
Description: This data product shows the median concentration of the pigment Chlorophyll-a (mg/m3) in surface waters during Fall months (September to November) from 2003 to 2015. Chlorophyll-a concentration is often used as a proxy for phytoplankton abundance. This dataset was created by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) using remote sensing data from the Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectro-radiometer (MODIS, a sensor onboard the Aqua satellite) provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). This layer covers offshore waters from North Carolina to northern Maine, with a spatial resolution of 1300 meters. Pixels with no data represent data points either consistently flagged by NASA during post-processing or shallower than 10 meters of depth. This layer has a spatial resolution of 1300 meters.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The Nature Conservancy (TNC).
Description: This data product shows the seasonal abundance per cubic meter (log-transformed) of the copepod Calanus finmarchicus (a species of zooplankton) for spring months (March to May) from 2005 to 2014. This dataset was created by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) using data provided by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) in Narragansett, RI. This dataset covers offshore waters from North Carolina to northern Maine, and from the coast line until the 1600 meter bathymetry line. The spatial resolution of this layer is 2600 meters. No data values in this layer represent areas where there were not enough points to interpolate a surface.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: The Nature Conservancy (TNC), The Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC).
Description: This data product shows the seasonal abundance per cubic meter (log-transformed) of the copepod Calanus finmarchicus (a species of zooplankton) from 2005 to 2014. This dataset was created by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) using data provided by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) in Narragansett, RI. This dataset covers offshore waters from North Carolina to northern Maine, and from the coast line until the 1600 meter bathymetry line. The spatial resolution of this layer is 2600 meters. No data values in this layer represent areas where there were not enough points to interpolate a surface.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: The Nature Conservancy (TNC), The Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC).
Description: This data product shows the seasonal abundance per cubic meter (log-transformed) of Euphausiids (a group of zooplankton) for fall months (September to November) from 2005 to 2014. This dataset was created by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) using data provided by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) in Narragansett, RI. This dataset covers offshore waters from North Carolina to northern Maine, and from the coast line until the 1600 meter bathymetry line. The spatial resolution of this layer is 2600 meters. No data values in this layer represent areas where there were not enough points to interpolate a surface.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: The Nature Conservancy (TNC), The Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC).
Description: This data product shows the seasonal abundance per cubic meter (log-transformed) of Euphausiids (a group of zooplankton) for spring months (March to May) from 2005 to 2014. This dataset was created by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) using data provided by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) in Narragansett, RI. This dataset covers offshore waters from North Carolina to northern Maine, and from the coast line until the 1600 meter bathymetry line. The spatial resolution of this layer is 2600 meters. No data values in this layer represent areas where there were not enough points to interpolate a surface.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: The Nature Conservancy (TNC), The Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), .
Description: This data product shows the seasonal abundance per cubic meter (log-transformed) of Gammarid amphipods (a group of zooplankton) for fall months (September to November) from 2005 to 2014. This dataset was created by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) using data provided by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) in Narragansett, RI. This dataset covers offshore waters from North Carolina to northern Maine, and from the coast line until the 1600 meter bathymetry line. The spatial resolution of this layer is 2600 meters. No data values in this layer represent areas where there were not enough points to interpolate a surface.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: The Nature Conservancy (TNC), The Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), The Northeast Data Portal.
Description: This data product shows the seasonal abundance per cubic meter (log-transformed) of the Gammarid amphipods (a group of zooplankton) for spring months (March to May) from 2005 to 2014. This dataset was created by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) using data provided by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) in Narragansett, RI. This dataset covers offshore waters from North Carolina to northern Maine, and from the coast line until the 1600 meter bathymetry line. The spatial resolution of this layer is 2600 meters. No data values in this layer represent areas where there were not enough points to interpolate a surface.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: The Nature Conservancy (TNC), The Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), The Northeast Data Portal.
Description: This data product shows the seasonal abundance per cubic meter (log-transformed) of Mysid shrimp (a group of zooplankton) for fall months (September to November) from 2005 to 2014. This dataset was created by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) using data provided by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) in Narragansett, RI. This dataset covers offshore waters from North Carolina to northern Maine, and from the coast line until the 1600 meter bathymetry line. The spatial resolution of this layer is 2600 meters. No data values in this layer represent areas where there were not enough points to interpolate a surface.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: The Nature Conservancy (TNC), The Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), The Northeast Data Portal.
Description: This data product shows the seasonal abundance per cubic meter (log-transformed) of Mysid shrimp (a group of zooplankton) for spring months (March to May) from 2005 to 2014. This dataset was created by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) using data provided by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) in Narragansett, RI. This dataset covers offshore waters from North Carolina to northern Maine, and from the coast line until the 1600 meter bathymetry line. The spatial resolution of this layer is 2600 meters. No data values in this layer represent areas where there were not enough points to interpolate a surface.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: The Nature Conservancy (TNC), The Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC), The Northeast Data Portal.
Description: This layer shows the average abundance (2003 - 2012) of Moon snails, colored by percentile. This data product was created using the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School of Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) video survey from 2003 through 2012 joined to the New England Fishery Management Council Swept Area Seabed Impact (SASI) model grid. The SMAST video survey covered the Continental Shelf from the southern Mid-Atlantic to the USA-Canadian border on eastern Georges Bank.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School of Marine Science and Technology (SMAST), The Nature Conservancy (TNC).
Description: This layer shows the Average Abundance (2003 - 2012) of Hermit crabs, colored by percentile. This data product was created using the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School of Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) video survey from 2003 through 2012 joined to the New England Fishery Management Council Swept Area Seabed Impact (SASI) model grid. The SMAST video survey covered the Continental Shelf from the southern Mid-Atlantic to the USA-Canadian border on eastern Georges Bank.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School of Marine Science and Technology (SMAST), The Nature Conservancy (TNC).
Description: This layer shows the Average Abundance (2003 - 2012) of Sea stars, colored by percentile. This data product was created using the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School of Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) video survey from 2003 through 2012 joined to the New England Fishery Management Council Swept Area Seabed Impact (SASI) model grid. The SMAST video survey covered the Continental Shelf from the southern Mid-Atlantic to the USA-Canadian border on eastern Georges Bank.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School of Marine Science and Technology (SMAST), The Nature Conservancy (TNC).
Name: Bryozoans or Hydrozoans Average percent of samples
Display Field: HolesAve
Type: Feature Layer
Geometry Type: esriGeometryPolygon
Description: This layer shows the Average (2003 - 2012) percentage of sample locations with Bryozoans or Hydrozoans present within each cell. This data product was created using the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School of Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) video survey from 2003 through 2012 joined to the New England Fishery Management Council Swept Area Seabed Impact (SASI) model grid. The SMAST video survey covered the Continental Shelf from the southern Mid-Atlantic to the USA-Canadian border on eastern Georges Bank.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School of Marine Science and Technology (SMAST), The Nature Conservancy (TNC).
Description: This layer shows the Average (2003 - 2012) percentage of sample locations with Sand dollars present within each cell. This data product was created using the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School of Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) video survey from 2003 through 2012 joined to the New England Fishery Management Council Swept Area Seabed Impact (SASI) model grid. The SMAST video survey covered the Continental Shelf from the southern Mid-Atlantic to the USA-Canadian border on eastern Georges Bank.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School of Marine Science and Technology (SMAST), The Nature Conservancy (TNC).
Description: This layer shows the Average (2003 - 2012) percentage of sample locations with Sponges present within each cell. This data product was created using the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School of Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) video survey from 2003 through 2012 joined to the New England Fishery Management Council Swept Area Seabed Impact (SASI) model grid. The SMAST video survey covered the Continental Shelf from the southern Mid-Atlantic to the USA-Canadian border on eastern Georges Bank.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School of Marine Science and Technology (SMAST), The Nature Conservancy (TNC).
Description: This map layer shows nest sites of coastal bird species in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. Multiple records may be available at the same feature location. The data were created from NOAA's Environmental Sensitivity Index, which was developed to characterize shorelines based on their sensitivity to spilled oil in order to understand the potential risk to these species. These data are currently not available for download.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: NOAA Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI)
Description: This map layer shows sensitive habitat for coastal bird species in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. Multiple records may be available at the same feature location. The data were created from NOAA's Environmental Sensitivity Index, which was developed to characterize shorelines based on their sensitivity to spilled oil in order to understand the potential risk to these species. These data are currently not available for download.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: NOAA Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI)
Description: Sea ducks are a unique group of waterfowl that inhabit arctic, subarctic, boreal, and coastal habitats. They are members of the tribe Mergini and, in North America, include eiders, scoters, mergansers, goldeneyes, Bufflehead, Long-tailed Duck, and Harlequin Duck. Four populations of sea ducks are currently federally listed as threatened or endangered in the U.S. or Canada.
<br/>
<br/>
The <a href="https://seaduckjv.org/science-resources/sea-duck-key-habitat-sites-atlas/" target="_blank">Sea Duck Key Habitat Sites Atlas</a> describes 85 sites throughout North America that constitute important sea duck habitats. It is intended to heighten awareness of valuable sea duck habitats, aid in prioritizing habitat conservation and protection efforts, and help in evaluating environmental assessments. Criteria for inclusion in this atlas were strict, relative to criteria used for other bird habitat designations, to highlight those habitats most critical to sea ducks during at least one season. Key habitat site descriptions include a synopsis of sea duck abundance and temporal importance of the site to sea ducks, as well as sensitivities or potential conflicts that may impact sea ducks or their habitats.
<br/>
<br/>
Key habitat sites for sea ducks along the U.S. Atlantic coast include:
<ul><li>Coastal Maine</li>
<li>Nantucket Sound and Shoals</li>
<li>South Shore Long Island</li>
<li>Delaware Bay</li>
<li>Upper Chesapeake Bay</li>
<li>Lower Chesapeake Bay</li>
<li>Pamlico Sound</li>
<li>Southern Atlantic Coast</li></ul>
Description: This map layer shows sensitive habitat for marine mammal species in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. Multiple records may be available at the same feature location. The data were created from NOAA's Environmental Sensitivity Index, which was developed to characterize shorelines based on their sensitivity to spilled oil in order to understand the potential risk to these species.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: NOAA Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI)
Description: This map layer shows seafloor habitats based on a model developed by The Nature Conservancy. Seafloor, or benthic, habitats were defined based on environmental characteristics such as depth, sediment grain size, and seabed forms, and the species commonly found there. This map layer is intended for use at the regional scale and may not be accurate for site-specific information.
Description: This layer displays scallop biomass (meat weights in kilograms) from all NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center NEFSC scallop dredge surveys from 1966 to 2014. The NEFSC scallop survey program began in 1960 and had a major gear change in 1979. Since 1979 there have been other gear and vessel changes, for which the effects are generally small. In cases where it was deemed appropriate after study, correction factors have been applied to the data. These data are used to help assess the stock of scallops in the North Atlantic. <p> Other data that are collected during NEFSC scallop dredge surveys (but that are not shown here) include scallop shell heights, the number and height of dead scallop shells, any finfish, cephalopods and lobsters caught during the survey, as well as the presence/absence of other bivalve species (e.g., ocean quahogs, razor clams) and invertebrate species (e.g., sand dollars, anemones).
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), School of Marine Science and Technology (SMAST) at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth
Name: Northern gannet, fall migration, utilization distribution
Display Field: cnt_lvl
Type: Feature Layer
Geometry Type: esriGeometryPolygon
Description: These datasets represent some of the results of a study to determine fine-scale use and movement patterns over the course of five years (2012-2016) of over 400 individuals of three species of diving marine birds, Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata), Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata), and Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus), in Federal waters of the mid-Atlantic U.S. during migration and winter. These species are each found in relatively large numbers and represent a cross-section of marine birds within mid-Atlantic U.S. waters during this time period. They are all considered species of conservation concern, and also exhibit traits that may make them vulnerable to the adverse effects of offshore wind development. Tracking data were analyzed using dynamic Brownian bridge movement models to develop spatial utilization distributions (UDs) for each species. The UD represents the probability that an animal will occur in space at a specified time. The mean UD surface was contoured to represent different levels of habitat use. The 95% UD is called the "Mean home range" and the 50% UDs represent "Core use areas". The study also developed maps of the full UD for each species and season, and examined factors influencing occurrence. For more information, see <a href="https://www.northeastoceandata.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Determining-Fine-scale-Use-and-Movement-Patterns-of-Diving-Bird-Species-in-Federal-Waters-of-the-Mid-Atlantic-United-States-Using-Satellite-Telemetry.pdf"target="_blank"> the BOEM report</a>
<br/>
<br/>
These data products and their underlying data differ from other marine life data available on the Portal, and users are urged to interpret the data with these differences in mind. For more information on how these layers can be used together or separately from modeled distribution (MDAT) bird data, see sections 7.2.3 and 7.5.2.1 in OCS Study BOEM 2017-069.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Environmental Studies Program: Spiegel et al. 2017. Determining fine-scale use and movement patterns of diving bird species in Federal waters of the Mid-Atlantic United States using satellite telemetry. OCS Study BOEM 2017-069.
Name: Northern gannet, spring migration, utilization distribution
Display Field: cnt_lvl
Type: Feature Layer
Geometry Type: esriGeometryPolygon
Description: These datasets represent some of the results of a study to determine fine-scale use and movement patterns over the course of five years (2012-2016) of over 400 individuals of three species of diving marine birds, Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata), Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata), and Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus), in Federal waters of the mid-Atlantic U.S. during migration and winter. These species are each found in relatively large numbers and represent a cross-section of marine birds within mid-Atlantic U.S. waters during this time period. They are all considered species of conservation concern, and also exhibit traits that may make them vulnerable to the adverse effects of offshore wind development. Tracking data were analyzed using dynamic Brownian bridge movement models to develop spatial utilization distributions (UDs) for each species. The UD represents the probability that an animal will occur in space at a specified time. The mean UD surface was contoured to represent different levels of habitat use. The 95% UD is called the "Mean home range" and the 50% UDs represent "Core use areas". The study also developed maps of the full UD for each species and season, and examined factors influencing occurrence. For more information, see <a href="https://www.northeastoceandata.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Determining-Fine-scale-Use-and-Movement-Patterns-of-Diving-Bird-Species-in-Federal-Waters-of-the-Mid-Atlantic-United-States-Using-Satellite-Telemetry.pdf"target="_blank"> the BOEM report</a>
<br/>
<br/>
These data products and their underlying data differ from other marine life data available on the Portal, and users are urged to interpret the data with these differences in mind. For more information on how these layers can be used together or separately from modeled distribution (MDAT) bird data, see sections 7.2.3 and 7.5.2.1 in OCS Study BOEM 2017-069.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Environmental Studies Program: Spiegel et al. 2017. Determining fine-scale use and movement patterns of diving bird species in Federal waters of the Mid-Atlantic United States using satellite telemetry. OCS Study BOEM 2017-069.
Name: Northern gannet, winter, utilization distribution
Display Field: cnt_lvl
Type: Feature Layer
Geometry Type: esriGeometryPolygon
Description: These datasets represent some of the results of a study to determine fine-scale use and movement patterns over the course of five years (2012-2016) of over 400 individuals of three species of diving marine birds, Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata), Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata), and Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus), in Federal waters of the mid-Atlantic U.S. during migration and winter. These species are each found in relatively large numbers and represent a cross-section of marine birds within mid-Atlantic U.S. waters during this time period. They are all considered species of conservation concern, and also exhibit traits that may make them vulnerable to the adverse effects of offshore wind development. Tracking data were analyzed using dynamic Brownian bridge movement models to develop spatial utilization distributions (UDs) for each species. The UD represents the probability that an animal will occur in space at a specified time. The mean UD surface was contoured to represent different levels of habitat use. The 95% UD is called the "Mean home range" and the 50% UDs represent "Core use areas". The study also developed maps of the full UD for each species and season, and examined factors influencing occurrence. For more information, see <a href="https://www.northeastoceandata.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Determining-Fine-scale-Use-and-Movement-Patterns-of-Diving-Bird-Species-in-Federal-Waters-of-the-Mid-Atlantic-United-States-Using-Satellite-Telemetry.pdf"target="_blank"> the BOEM report</a>
<br/>
<br/>
These data products and their underlying data differ from other marine life data available on the Portal, and users are urged to interpret the data with these differences in mind. For more information on how these layers can be used together or separately from modeled distribution (MDAT) bird data, see sections 7.2.3 and 7.5.2.1 in OCS Study BOEM 2017-069.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Environmental Studies Program: Spiegel et al. 2017. Determining fine-scale use and movement patterns of diving bird species in Federal waters of the Mid-Atlantic United States using satellite telemetry. OCS Study BOEM 2017-069.
Name: Red throated loon, fall migration, utilization distribution
Display Field: cnt_lvl
Type: Feature Layer
Geometry Type: esriGeometryPolygon
Description: These datasets represent some of the results of a study to determine fine-scale use and movement patterns over the course of five years (2012-2016) of over 400 individuals of three species of diving marine birds, Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata), Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata), and Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus), in Federal waters of the mid-Atlantic U.S. during migration and winter. These species are each found in relatively large numbers and represent a cross-section of marine birds within mid-Atlantic U.S. waters during this time period. They are all considered species of conservation concern, and also exhibit traits that may make them vulnerable to the adverse effects of offshore wind development. Tracking data were analyzed using dynamic Brownian bridge movement models to develop spatial utilization distributions (UDs) for each species. The UD represents the probability that an animal will occur in space at a specified time. The mean UD surface was contoured to represent different levels of habitat use. The 95% UD is called the "Mean home range" and the 50% UDs represent "Core use areas". The study also developed maps of the full UD for each species and season, and examined factors influencing occurrence. For more information, see <a href="https://www.northeastoceandata.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Determining-Fine-scale-Use-and-Movement-Patterns-of-Diving-Bird-Species-in-Federal-Waters-of-the-Mid-Atlantic-United-States-Using-Satellite-Telemetry.pdf"target="_blank"> the BOEM report</a>
<br/>
<br/>
These data products and their underlying data differ from other marine life data available on the Portal, and users are urged to interpret the data with these differences in mind. For more information on how these layers can be used together or separately from modeled distribution (MDAT) bird data, see sections 7.2.3 and 7.5.2.1 in OCS Study BOEM 2017-069.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Environmental Studies Program: Spiegel et al. 2017. Determining fine-scale use and movement patterns of diving bird species in Federal waters of the Mid-Atlantic United States using satellite telemetry. OCS Study BOEM 2017-069.
Name: Red throated loon, spring migration, utilization distribution
Display Field: cnt_lvl
Type: Feature Layer
Geometry Type: esriGeometryPolygon
Description: These datasets represent some of the results of a study to determine fine-scale use and movement patterns over the course of five years (2012-2016) of over 400 individuals of three species of diving marine birds, Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata), Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata), and Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus), in Federal waters of the mid-Atlantic U.S. during migration and winter. These species are each found in relatively large numbers and represent a cross-section of marine birds within mid-Atlantic U.S. waters during this time period. They are all considered species of conservation concern, and also exhibit traits that may make them vulnerable to the adverse effects of offshore wind development. Tracking data were analyzed using dynamic Brownian bridge movement models to develop spatial utilization distributions (UDs) for each species. The UD represents the probability that an animal will occur in space at a specified time. The mean UD surface was contoured to represent different levels of habitat use. The 95% UD is called the "Mean home range" and the 50% UDs represent "Core use areas". The study also developed maps of the full UD for each species and season, and examined factors influencing occurrence. For more information, see <a href="https://www.northeastoceandata.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Determining-Fine-scale-Use-and-Movement-Patterns-of-Diving-Bird-Species-in-Federal-Waters-of-the-Mid-Atlantic-United-States-Using-Satellite-Telemetry.pdf"target="_blank"> the BOEM report</a>
<br/>
<br/>
These data products and their underlying data differ from other marine life data available on the Portal, and users are urged to interpret the data with these differences in mind. For more information on how these layers can be used together or separately from modeled distribution (MDAT) bird data, see sections 7.2.3 and 7.5.2.1 in OCS Study BOEM 2017-069.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Environmental Studies Program: Spiegel et al. 2017. Determining fine-scale use and movement patterns of diving bird species in Federal waters of the Mid-Atlantic United States using satellite telemetry. OCS Study BOEM 2017-069.
Name: Red throated loon, winter, utilization distribution
Display Field: cnt_lvl
Type: Feature Layer
Geometry Type: esriGeometryPolygon
Description: These datasets represent some of the results of a study to determine fine-scale use and movement patterns over the course of five years (2012-2016) of over 400 individuals of three species of diving marine birds, Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata), Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata), and Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus), in Federal waters of the mid-Atlantic U.S. during migration and winter. These species are each found in relatively large numbers and represent a cross-section of marine birds within mid-Atlantic U.S. waters during this time period. They are all considered species of conservation concern, and also exhibit traits that may make them vulnerable to the adverse effects of offshore wind development. Tracking data were analyzed using dynamic Brownian bridge movement models to develop spatial utilization distributions (UDs) for each species. The UD represents the probability that an animal will occur in space at a specified time. The mean UD surface was contoured to represent different levels of habitat use. The 95% UD is called the "Mean home range" and the 50% UDs represent "Core use areas". The study also developed maps of the full UD for each species and season, and examined factors influencing occurrence. For more information, see <a href="https://www.northeastoceandata.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Determining-Fine-scale-Use-and-Movement-Patterns-of-Diving-Bird-Species-in-Federal-Waters-of-the-Mid-Atlantic-United-States-Using-Satellite-Telemetry.pdf"target="_blank"> the BOEM report</a>
<br/>
<br/>
These data products and their underlying data differ from other marine life data available on the Portal, and users are urged to interpret the data with these differences in mind. For more information on how these layers can be used together or separately from modeled distribution (MDAT) bird data, see sections 7.2.3 and 7.5.2.1 in OCS Study BOEM 2017-069.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Environmental Studies Program: Spiegel et al. 2017. Determining fine-scale use and movement patterns of diving bird species in Federal waters of the Mid-Atlantic United States using satellite telemetry. OCS Study BOEM 2017-069.
Name: Surf scoter, fall migration, utilization distribution
Display Field: cnt_lvl
Type: Feature Layer
Geometry Type: esriGeometryPolygon
Description: These datasets represent some of the results of a study to determine fine-scale use and movement patterns over the course of five years (2012-2016) of over 400 individuals of three species of diving marine birds, Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata), Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata), and Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus), in Federal waters of the mid-Atlantic U.S. during migration and winter. These species are each found in relatively large numbers and represent a cross-section of marine birds within mid-Atlantic U.S. waters during this time period. They are all considered species of conservation concern, and also exhibit traits that may make them vulnerable to the adverse effects of offshore wind development. Tracking data were analyzed using dynamic Brownian bridge movement models to develop spatial utilization distributions (UDs) for each species. The UD represents the probability that an animal will occur in space at a specified time. The mean UD surface was contoured to represent different levels of habitat use. The 95% UD is called the "Mean home range" and the 50% UDs represent "Core use areas". The study also developed maps of the full UD for each species and season, and examined factors influencing occurrence. For more information, see <a href="https://www.northeastoceandata.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Determining-Fine-scale-Use-and-Movement-Patterns-of-Diving-Bird-Species-in-Federal-Waters-of-the-Mid-Atlantic-United-States-Using-Satellite-Telemetry.pdf"target="_blank"> the BOEM report</a>
<br/>
<br/>
These data products and their underlying data differ from other marine life data available on the Portal, and users are urged to interpret the data with these differences in mind. For more information on how these layers can be used together or separately from modeled distribution (MDAT) bird data, see sections 7.2.3 and 7.5.2.1 in OCS Study BOEM 2017-069.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Environmental Studies Program: Spiegel et al. 2017. Determining fine-scale use and movement patterns of diving bird species in Federal waters of the Mid-Atlantic United States using satellite telemetry. OCS Study BOEM 2017-069.
Name: Surf scoter, spring migration, utilization distribution
Display Field: cnt_lvl
Type: Feature Layer
Geometry Type: esriGeometryPolygon
Description: These datasets represent some of the results of a study to determine fine-scale use and movement patterns over the course of five years (2012-2016) of over 400 individuals of three species of diving marine birds, Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata), Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata), and Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus), in Federal waters of the mid-Atlantic U.S. during migration and winter. These species are each found in relatively large numbers and represent a cross-section of marine birds within mid-Atlantic U.S. waters during this time period. They are all considered species of conservation concern, and also exhibit traits that may make them vulnerable to the adverse effects of offshore wind development. Tracking data were analyzed using dynamic Brownian bridge movement models to develop spatial utilization distributions (UDs) for each species. The UD represents the probability that an animal will occur in space at a specified time. The mean UD surface was contoured to represent different levels of habitat use. The 95% UD is called the "Mean home range" and the 50% UDs represent "Core use areas". The study also developed maps of the full UD for each species and season, and examined factors influencing occurrence. For more information, see <a href="https://www.northeastoceandata.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Determining-Fine-scale-Use-and-Movement-Patterns-of-Diving-Bird-Species-in-Federal-Waters-of-the-Mid-Atlantic-United-States-Using-Satellite-Telemetry.pdf"target="_blank"> the BOEM report</a>
<br/>
<br/>
These data products and their underlying data differ from other marine life data available on the Portal, and users are urged to interpret the data with these differences in mind. For more information on how these layers can be used together or separately from modeled distribution (MDAT) bird data, see sections 7.2.3 and 7.5.2.1 in OCS Study BOEM 2017-069.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Environmental Studies Program: Spiegel et al. 2017. Determining fine-scale use and movement patterns of diving bird species in Federal waters of the Mid-Atlantic United States using satellite telemetry. OCS Study BOEM 2017-069.
Name: Surf scoter, winter, utilization distribution
Display Field: cnt_lvl
Type: Feature Layer
Geometry Type: esriGeometryPolygon
Description: These datasets represent some of the results of a study to determine fine-scale use and movement patterns over the course of five years (2012-2016) of over 400 individuals of three species of diving marine birds, Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata), Surf Scoter (Melanitta perspicillata), and Northern Gannet (Morus bassanus), in Federal waters of the mid-Atlantic U.S. during migration and winter. These species are each found in relatively large numbers and represent a cross-section of marine birds within mid-Atlantic U.S. waters during this time period. They are all considered species of conservation concern, and also exhibit traits that may make them vulnerable to the adverse effects of offshore wind development. Tracking data were analyzed using dynamic Brownian bridge movement models to develop spatial utilization distributions (UDs) for each species. The UD represents the probability that an animal will occur in space at a specified time. The mean UD surface was contoured to represent different levels of habitat use. The 95% UD is called the "Mean home range" and the 50% UDs represent "Core use areas". The study also developed maps of the full UD for each species and season, and examined factors influencing occurrence. For more information, see <a href="https://www.northeastoceandata.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Determining-Fine-scale-Use-and-Movement-Patterns-of-Diving-Bird-Species-in-Federal-Waters-of-the-Mid-Atlantic-United-States-Using-Satellite-Telemetry.pdf"target="_blank"> the BOEM report</a>
<br/>
<br/>
These data products and their underlying data differ from other marine life data available on the Portal, and users are urged to interpret the data with these differences in mind. For more information on how these layers can be used together or separately from modeled distribution (MDAT) bird data, see sections 7.2.3 and 7.5.2.1 in OCS Study BOEM 2017-069.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Environmental Studies Program: Spiegel et al. 2017. Determining fine-scale use and movement patterns of diving bird species in Federal waters of the Mid-Atlantic United States using satellite telemetry. OCS Study BOEM 2017-069.
Name: Black-capped Petrel Individual Movement Tracks
Display Field: birdID
Type: Feature Layer
Geometry Type: esriGeometryPolyline
Description: This layer shows the movement patterns of 3 black-capped petrels during their non-breeding season from the first tracking study of this species. The black-capped petrel (Pterodroma hasitata) is an endangered seabird with fewer than 2000 breeding pairs restricted to a few breeding sites in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. To date, use areas at sea have been determined entirely from vessel-based surveys and opportunistic sightings and, as such, spatial and temporal gaps in our understanding of the species’ marine range are likely. For example, compare these tracks with the modeled distribution (MDAT) data products under Birds > Individual Species. This study used satellite tags to document individual movement patterns of black-capped petrels.
<br/>
<br/>
During chick rearing, petrels primarily used marine habitats in the southern Caribbean Sea. During the post-breeding period, each bird dispersed north and used waters west of the Gulf Stream offshore of the mid- and southern Atlantic coasts of the USA as well as Gulf Stream waters and deeper pelagic waters east of the Gulf Stream. Petrels used waters located within 14 different exclusive economic zones, suggesting that international collaboration will benefit the development of management strategies for this species.
<br/>
<br/>
The tracks on the map represent the following time periods:
<br/>
<ul> <li>Bird 175 (blue): 11 July to 30 August 2014</li>
<li>Bird 176 (purple): 28 June to 25 August 2014</li>
<li>Bird 177 (yellow): 13 May to 4 November 2014</li></ul>
Description: These layers represent data from 271 satellite tags deployed on large juvenile and adult loggerheads in the northwest Atlantic by 6 tagging programs between 2004 and 2016. Mixed effect models were used to map spatial variation in the relative density of tagged loggerheads over the course of the year. To do this, daily weighted location estimates were binned by month and aggregated over a 40 km resolution version of the Atlantic Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species (AMAPPS) spatial grid. The data products focus on the area with the highest track densities (i.e., between 25.0° and 41.5° N, 81.5° and 65.0° W), even though some individuals ventured further north or into the Gulf of Mexico. The high density areas shown in these data products are based on over 10 years of satellite tagging data, and represent the relative distribution of tagged loggerheads that may be expected on average in a given month.
Description: These layers represent data from 271 satellite tags deployed on large juvenile and adult loggerheads in the northwest Atlantic by 6 tagging programs between 2004 and 2016. Mixed effect models were used to map spatial variation in the relative density of tagged loggerheads over the course of the year. To do this, daily weighted location estimates were binned by month and aggregated over a 40 km resolution version of the Atlantic Marine Assessment Program for Protected Species (AMAPPS) spatial grid. The data products focus on the area with the highest track densities (i.e., between 25.0° and 41.5° N, 81.5° and 65.0° W), even though some individuals ventured further north or into the Gulf of Mexico. The high density areas shown in these data products are based on over 10 years of satellite tagging data, and represent the relative distribution of tagged loggerheads that may be expected on average in a given month.
Name: Intrinsic Seabed Habitat Vulnerability to Fishing - Bottom trawl, median fishing effort
Display Field: SP_ID
Type: Feature Layer
Geometry Type: esriGeometryPolygon
Description: The Intrinsic Seabed Habitat Vulnerability to Fishing layers show the vulnerability of the seabed to each gear type. These datasets constitute a secondary set of outputs from the Northeast Fishing Effects Model (Fishing Effects). The model combines seafloor data (sediment type, energy regime) with parameters related to the interactions between fishing gear and seafloor habitats to generate habitat disturbance estimates in space and time. A higher habitat disturbance percentage suggests that the seafloor in that location is more vulnerable to that fishing gear. Mobile bottom contact gears generate higher benthic habitat disturbance values than fixed bottom contact gears. The intrinsic vulnerability products allow the Council to predict which areas would be vulnerable to impact, even in the absence of existing fishing pressure.
<br/> <br/>
Data inputs include a benthic sediment/energy map (in Data Explorer category Habitat > Physical) and fishing effort as swept area. Energy classification is based on depth or benthic boundary shear stress data. Data inputs and outputs to Fishing Effects are gridded at a 5 km by 5 km resolution. The model outputs extend only to the shelf break/upper continental slope because this is the limit of fishing activity with bottom-tending gears in the northeast region. The intrinsic habitat vulnerability products apply a spatially and temporally constant level of fishing disturbance for six types of bottom-tending fishing gears: trawl, scallop dredge, hydraulic clam dredge, longline, gillnet, and trap, across all grid cells of the model, at each monthly timestep from 1996-2017. The level of fishing disturbance evaluated for these model runs reflects the median swept area ratio over the entire time series and across all grid cells. Swept area ratio is simply the total swept area within each grid, relative to the grid size. For this model, which has a 25 km2 grid resolution, a swept area of 25 km2 would lead to a swept area ratio of 1, and a swept area of 12.5 km2 would lead to a swept area ratio of 0.5, etc. Values used are described in NEFMC (2019) and vary by gear type; the model report also shows results for the 95th percentile of swept area ratio.
<br/> <br/>
The maps in the Portal show the estimated percent seabed habitat disturbance for each of these six gear types by grid cell for the final month of the time series (December 2017), This type of product is of value to managers because fishing effort is influenced by numerous factors which are subject to change, including spatial closures that prohibit certain types of gear in specific locations. Every cell in the domain has a modeled value. Larger percentages indicate that a greater percentage of the seafloor is estimated to be impacted at these median levels of fishing disturbance, while smaller percentages indicate a lower impact. All gear types use the same color scale to allow for comparison among gears. While there are modeled differences below a 3% level, those differences are not thought to be especially meaningful in a management context, and are therefore not shown.
<br/> <br/>
Additional information about the model can be found on the <a href="https://www.nefmc.org/library/fishing-effects-model" target="_blank">New England Fishery Management Council's Fishing Effects</a> page.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: New England Fishery Management Council, 2020. For questions contact Michelle Bachman, mbachman@nefmc.org
Name: Intrinsic Seabed Habitat Vulnerability to Fishing - Scallop Dredge, median fishing effort
Display Field: SP_ID
Type: Feature Layer
Geometry Type: esriGeometryPolygon
Description: The Intrinsic Seabed Habitat Vulnerability to Fishing layers show the vulnerability of the seabed to each gear type. These datasets constitute a secondary set of outputs from the Northeast Fishing Effects Model (Fishing Effects). The model combines seafloor data (sediment type, energy regime) with parameters related to the interactions between fishing gear and seafloor habitats to generate habitat disturbance estimates in space and time. A higher habitat disturbance percentage suggests that the seafloor in that location is more vulnerable to that fishing gear. Mobile bottom contact gears generate higher benthic habitat disturbance values than fixed bottom contact gears. The intrinsic vulnerability products allow the Council to predict which areas would be vulnerable to impact, even in the absence of existing fishing pressure.
<br/> <br/>
Data inputs include a benthic sediment/energy map (in Data Explorer category Habitat > Physical) and fishing effort as swept area. Energy classification is based on depth or benthic boundary shear stress data. Data inputs and outputs to Fishing Effects are gridded at a 5 km by 5 km resolution. The model outputs extend only to the shelf break/upper continental slope because this is the limit of fishing activity with bottom-tending gears in the northeast region. The intrinsic habitat vulnerability products apply a spatially and temporally constant level of fishing disturbance for six types of bottom-tending fishing gears: trawl, scallop dredge, hydraulic clam dredge, longline, gillnet, and trap, across all grid cells of the model, at each monthly timestep from 1996-2017. The level of fishing disturbance evaluated for these model runs reflects the median swept area ratio over the entire time series and across all grid cells. Swept area ratio is simply the total swept area within each grid, relative to the grid size. For this model, which has a 25 km2 grid resolution, a swept area of 25 km2 would lead to a swept area ratio of 1, and a swept area of 12.5 km2 would lead to a swept area ratio of 0.5, etc. Values used are described in NEFMC (2019) and vary by gear type; the model report also shows results for the 95th percentile of swept area ratio.
<br/> <br/>
The maps in the Portal show the estimated percent seabed habitat disturbance for each of these six gear types by grid cell for the final month of the time series (December 2017), This type of product is of value to managers because fishing effort is influenced by numerous factors which are subject to change, including spatial closures that prohibit certain types of gear in specific locations. Every cell in the domain has a modeled value. Larger percentages indicate that a greater percentage of the seafloor is estimated to be impacted at these median levels of fishing disturbance, while smaller percentages indicate a lower impact. All gear types use the same color scale to allow for comparison among gears. While there are modeled differences below a 3% level, those differences are not thought to be especially meaningful in a management context, and are therefore not shown.
<br/> <br/>
Additional information about the model can be found on the <a href="https://www.nefmc.org/library/fishing-effects-model" target="_blank">New England Fishery Management Council's Fishing Effects</a> page.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: New England Fishery Management Council, 2020. For questions contact Michelle Bachman, mbachman@nefmc.org
Name: Intrinsic Seabed Habitat Vulnerability to Fishing - Hydraulic Clam dredge, median fishing effort
Display Field: SP_ID
Type: Feature Layer
Geometry Type: esriGeometryPolygon
Description: The Intrinsic Seabed Habitat Vulnerability to Fishing layers show the vulnerability of the seabed to each gear type. These datasets constitute a secondary set of outputs from the Northeast Fishing Effects Model (Fishing Effects). The model combines seafloor data (sediment type, energy regime) with parameters related to the interactions between fishing gear and seafloor habitats to generate habitat disturbance estimates in space and time. A higher habitat disturbance percentage suggests that the seafloor in that location is more vulnerable to that fishing gear. Mobile bottom contact gears generate higher benthic habitat disturbance values than fixed bottom contact gears. The intrinsic vulnerability products allow the Council to predict which areas would be vulnerable to impact, even in the absence of existing fishing pressure.
<br/> <br/>
Data inputs include a benthic sediment/energy map (in Data Explorer category Habitat > Physical) and fishing effort as swept area. Energy classification is based on depth or benthic boundary shear stress data. Data inputs and outputs to Fishing Effects are gridded at a 5 km by 5 km resolution. The model outputs extend only to the shelf break/upper continental slope because this is the limit of fishing activity with bottom-tending gears in the northeast region. The intrinsic habitat vulnerability products apply a spatially and temporally constant level of fishing disturbance for six types of bottom-tending fishing gears: trawl, scallop dredge, hydraulic clam dredge, longline, gillnet, and trap, across all grid cells of the model, at each monthly timestep from 1996-2017. The level of fishing disturbance evaluated for these model runs reflects the median swept area ratio over the entire time series and across all grid cells. Swept area ratio is simply the total swept area within each grid, relative to the grid size. For this model, which has a 25 km2 grid resolution, a swept area of 25 km2 would lead to a swept area ratio of 1, and a swept area of 12.5 km2 would lead to a swept area ratio of 0.5, etc. Values used are described in NEFMC (2019) and vary by gear type; the model report also shows results for the 95th percentile of swept area ratio.
<br/> <br/>
The maps in the Portal show the estimated percent seabed habitat disturbance for each of these six gear types by grid cell for the final month of the time series (December 2017), This type of product is of value to managers because fishing effort is influenced by numerous factors which are subject to change, including spatial closures that prohibit certain types of gear in specific locations. Every cell in the domain has a modeled value. Larger percentages indicate that a greater percentage of the seafloor is estimated to be impacted at these median levels of fishing disturbance, while smaller percentages indicate a lower impact. All gear types use the same color scale to allow for comparison among gears. While there are modeled differences below a 3% level, those differences are not thought to be especially meaningful in a management context, and are therefore not shown.
<br/> <br/>
Additional information about the model can be found on the <a href="https://www.nefmc.org/library/fishing-effects-model" target="_blank">New England Fishery Management Council's Fishing Effects</a> page.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: New England Fishery Management Council, 2020. For questions contact Michelle Bachman, mbachman@nefmc.org
Name: Intrinsic Seabed Habitat Vulnerability to Fishing - Gillnet, median fishing effort
Display Field: SP_ID
Type: Feature Layer
Geometry Type: esriGeometryPolygon
Description: The Intrinsic Seabed Habitat Vulnerability to Fishing layers show the vulnerability of the seabed to each gear type. These datasets constitute a secondary set of outputs from the Northeast Fishing Effects Model (Fishing Effects). The model combines seafloor data (sediment type, energy regime) with parameters related to the interactions between fishing gear and seafloor habitats to generate habitat disturbance estimates in space and time. A higher habitat disturbance percentage suggests that the seafloor in that location is more vulnerable to that fishing gear. Mobile bottom contact gears generate higher benthic habitat disturbance values than fixed bottom contact gears. The intrinsic vulnerability products allow the Council to predict which areas would be vulnerable to impact, even in the absence of existing fishing pressure.
<br/> <br/>
Data inputs include a benthic sediment/energy map (in Data Explorer category Habitat > Physical) and fishing effort as swept area. Energy classification is based on depth or benthic boundary shear stress data. Data inputs and outputs to Fishing Effects are gridded at a 5 km by 5 km resolution. The model outputs extend only to the shelf break/upper continental slope because this is the limit of fishing activity with bottom-tending gears in the northeast region. The intrinsic habitat vulnerability products apply a spatially and temporally constant level of fishing disturbance for six types of bottom-tending fishing gears: trawl, scallop dredge, hydraulic clam dredge, longline, gillnet, and trap, across all grid cells of the model, at each monthly timestep from 1996-2017. The level of fishing disturbance evaluated for these model runs reflects the median swept area ratio over the entire time series and across all grid cells. Swept area ratio is simply the total swept area within each grid, relative to the grid size. For this model, which has a 25 km2 grid resolution, a swept area of 25 km2 would lead to a swept area ratio of 1, and a swept area of 12.5 km2 would lead to a swept area ratio of 0.5, etc. Values used are described in NEFMC (2019) and vary by gear type; the model report also shows results for the 95th percentile of swept area ratio.
<br/> <br/>
The maps in the Portal show the estimated percent seabed habitat disturbance for each of these six gear types by grid cell for the final month of the time series (December 2017), This type of product is of value to managers because fishing effort is influenced by numerous factors which are subject to change, including spatial closures that prohibit certain types of gear in specific locations. Every cell in the domain has a modeled value. Larger percentages indicate that a greater percentage of the seafloor is estimated to be impacted at these median levels of fishing disturbance, while smaller percentages indicate a lower impact. All gear types use the same color scale to allow for comparison among gears. While there are modeled differences below a 3% level, those differences are not thought to be especially meaningful in a management context, and are therefore not shown.
<br/> <br/>
Additional information about the model can be found on the <a href="https://www.nefmc.org/library/fishing-effects-model" target="_blank">New England Fishery Management Council's Fishing Effects</a> page.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: New England Fishery Management Council, 2020. For questions contact Michelle Bachman, mbachman@nefmc.org
Name: Intrinsic Seabed Habitat Vulnerability to Fishing - Longline, median fishing effort
Display Field: SP_ID
Type: Feature Layer
Geometry Type: esriGeometryPolygon
Description: The Intrinsic Seabed Habitat Vulnerability to Fishing layers show the vulnerability of the seabed to each gear type. These datasets constitute a secondary set of outputs from the Northeast Fishing Effects Model (Fishing Effects). The model combines seafloor data (sediment type, energy regime) with parameters related to the interactions between fishing gear and seafloor habitats to generate habitat disturbance estimates in space and time. A higher habitat disturbance percentage suggests that the seafloor in that location is more vulnerable to that fishing gear. Mobile bottom contact gears generate higher benthic habitat disturbance values than fixed bottom contact gears. The intrinsic vulnerability products allow the Council to predict which areas would be vulnerable to impact, even in the absence of existing fishing pressure.
<br/> <br/>
Data inputs include a benthic sediment/energy map (in Data Explorer category Habitat > Physical) and fishing effort as swept area. Energy classification is based on depth or benthic boundary shear stress data. Data inputs and outputs to Fishing Effects are gridded at a 5 km by 5 km resolution. The model outputs extend only to the shelf break/upper continental slope because this is the limit of fishing activity with bottom-tending gears in the northeast region. The intrinsic habitat vulnerability products apply a spatially and temporally constant level of fishing disturbance for six types of bottom-tending fishing gears: trawl, scallop dredge, hydraulic clam dredge, longline, gillnet, and trap, across all grid cells of the model, at each monthly timestep from 1996-2017. The level of fishing disturbance evaluated for these model runs reflects the median swept area ratio over the entire time series and across all grid cells. Swept area ratio is simply the total swept area within each grid, relative to the grid size. For this model, which has a 25 km2 grid resolution, a swept area of 25 km2 would lead to a swept area ratio of 1, and a swept area of 12.5 km2 would lead to a swept area ratio of 0.5, etc. Values used are described in NEFMC (2019) and vary by gear type; the model report also shows results for the 95th percentile of swept area ratio.
<br/> <br/>
The maps in the Portal show the estimated percent seabed habitat disturbance for each of these six gear types by grid cell for the final month of the time series (December 2017), This type of product is of value to managers because fishing effort is influenced by numerous factors which are subject to change, including spatial closures that prohibit certain types of gear in specific locations. Every cell in the domain has a modeled value. Larger percentages indicate that a greater percentage of the seafloor is estimated to be impacted at these median levels of fishing disturbance, while smaller percentages indicate a lower impact. All gear types use the same color scale to allow for comparison among gears. While there are modeled differences below a 3% level, those differences are not thought to be especially meaningful in a management context, and are therefore not shown.
<br/> <br/>
Additional information about the model can be found on the <a href="https://www.nefmc.org/library/fishing-effects-model" target="_blank">New England Fishery Management Council's Fishing Effects</a> page.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: New England Fishery Management Council, 2020. For questions contact Michelle Bachman, mbachman@nefmc.org
Name: Intrinsic Seabed Habitat Vulnerability to Fishing - Trap, median fishing effort
Display Field: SP_ID
Type: Feature Layer
Geometry Type: esriGeometryPolygon
Description: The Intrinsic Seabed Habitat Vulnerability to Fishing layers show the vulnerability of the seabed to each gear type. These datasets constitute a secondary set of outputs from the Northeast Fishing Effects Model (Fishing Effects). The model combines seafloor data (sediment type, energy regime) with parameters related to the interactions between fishing gear and seafloor habitats to generate habitat disturbance estimates in space and time. A higher habitat disturbance percentage suggests that the seafloor in that location is more vulnerable to that fishing gear. Mobile bottom contact gears generate higher benthic habitat disturbance values than fixed bottom contact gears. The intrinsic vulnerability products allow the Council to predict which areas would be vulnerable to impact, even in the absence of existing fishing pressure.
<br/> <br/>
Data inputs include a benthic sediment/energy map (in Data Explorer category Habitat > Physical) and fishing effort as swept area. Energy classification is based on depth or benthic boundary shear stress data. Data inputs and outputs to Fishing Effects are gridded at a 5 km by 5 km resolution. The model outputs extend only to the shelf break/upper continental slope because this is the limit of fishing activity with bottom-tending gears in the northeast region. The intrinsic habitat vulnerability products apply a spatially and temporally constant level of fishing disturbance for six types of bottom-tending fishing gears: trawl, scallop dredge, hydraulic clam dredge, longline, gillnet, and trap, across all grid cells of the model, at each monthly timestep from 1996-2017. The level of fishing disturbance evaluated for these model runs reflects the median swept area ratio over the entire time series and across all grid cells. Swept area ratio is simply the total swept area within each grid, relative to the grid size. For this model, which has a 25 km2 grid resolution, a swept area of 25 km2 would lead to a swept area ratio of 1, and a swept area of 12.5 km2 would lead to a swept area ratio of 0.5, etc. Values used are described in NEFMC (2019) and vary by gear type; the model report also shows results for the 95th percentile of swept area ratio.
<br/> <br/>
The maps in the Portal show the estimated percent seabed habitat disturbance for each of these six gear types by grid cell for the final month of the time series (December 2017), This type of product is of value to managers because fishing effort is influenced by numerous factors which are subject to change, including spatial closures that prohibit certain types of gear in specific locations. Every cell in the domain has a modeled value. Larger percentages indicate that a greater percentage of the seafloor is estimated to be impacted at these median levels of fishing disturbance, while smaller percentages indicate a lower impact. All gear types use the same color scale to allow for comparison among gears. While there are modeled differences below a 3% level, those differences are not thought to be especially meaningful in a management context, and are therefore not shown.
<br/> <br/>
Additional information about the model can be found on the <a href="https://www.nefmc.org/library/fishing-effects-model" target="_blank">New England Fishery Management Council's Fishing Effects</a> page.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: New England Fishery Management Council, 2020. For questions contact Michelle Bachman, mbachman@nefmc.org
Description: Deep-sea corals, also known as cold water corals, create complex communities that provide habitat for a variety of invertebrate and fish species, such as grouper, snapper, and sea bass. The map depicts the relative likelihood of finding suitable habitat for soft corals at a given location and is a prediction based on a statistical model relating several environmental characteristics to the presence of soft corals using observations of soft coral. Soft corals, unlike stony corals, do not form calcium-based skeletons. A common example of a soft coral is a sea fan. Please also reference the “Deep-Sea Stony Coral Habitat Suitability” layer. Predictions from these habitat suitability models can be used to support conservation and management of deep-sea corals and to assist with targeting areas for mapping and exploration.
Description: Deep-sea corals, also known as cold water corals, create complex communities that provide habitat for a variety of invertebrate and fish species, such as grouper, snapper, and sea bass. The map depicts the relative likelihood of finding suitable habitat for stony corals at a given location and is a prediction based on a statistical model relating several environmental characteristics to the presence of stony corals using observations of stony corals. Stony coral are the primary reef-building corals and produce hard skeletons made of aragonite, a crystal form of calcium carbonate. Please also reference the “Deep-Sea Soft Coral Habitat Suitability” layer. Predictions from these habitat suitability models can be used to support conservation and management of deep-sea corals and to assist with targeting areas for mapping and exploration.
Description: This data product was developed in collaboration with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 1 (EPA R1). As part of an 18-month project, EPA R1 convened multiple meetings of an expert work group to both update regional (ME to NY) coastal vegetation datasets on the Northeast Ocean Data Portal (eelgrass meadows and tidal marsh) and to determine appropriate methods for mapping blue carbon stocks in these habitats. <br/><br/> The EPA R1 work group sought tidal marsh data that were mapped consistently across the region of interest (ME to NY). The work group decided to use multiple datasets to address the needs of this effort. A dataset developed by the <a href="https://www.tidalmarshbirds.org" target="_blank">Saltmarsh Habitat and Avian Research Program (SHARP)</a>, contains a regional classification produced using a combination of Digital Elevation Model and National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) multispectral imagery, and provides a contiguous classification of tidal marsh cover types from coastal Maine to Virginia. However, these data had gaps in the region of interest around New Bedford Harbor, MA, due to lack of available or interpretable NAIP imagery in that area. To fill this gap, the work group recommended extracting marsh habitat information from the <a href="https://www.sciencebase.gov/catalog/item/60f992fcd34e3ccd82fe3fbf" target="_blank">Conceptual Marsh Units of Massachusetts salt marshes</a> dataset from USGS (“CMUs”). Massachusetts CMUs are polygons created from the 2005 Massachusetts salt marsh dataset that were delineated to smaller, conceptual marsh units by the geoprocessing of surface elevation data. Each layer associated with these datasets are maintained separately in the Portal but visualized together. The data user is encouraged to refer to the metadata of this composite and of each individual source layer carefully, as the methods to produce vegetation classes, feature geometry, attribute details, and timeliness are not necessarily consistent among datasets.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 1, Saltmarsh Habitat and Avian Research Program (SHARP), USGS
Description: This dataset represents salt marsh communities in the Northeast Atlantic coast. The classification was produced using a combination of Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and National Agriculture Imagery Program (NAIP) multispectral imagery. This dataset combined with "Tidal Marsh Vegetation Classification, no DEM, 3m, Northeast U.S." provides a contiguous classification of tidal marsh cover types from coastal Maine to Virginia. The eight distinct cover/community types identified are:
<br/>
<ul> <li><b>High marsh:</b> Area flooded during spring tides related to the lunar cycle and dominated by Spartina patens, Distichlis spicata, Juncus gerardii, and short form Spartina alterniflora. Other species include Juncus roemerianus, Scirpus pungens, Scirpus robustus, Limonium nashii, Aster tenuifolius, and Triglochin maritima.</li>
<li><b>Low marsh:</b>Area flooded regularly by daily tides and dominated by tall form Spartina alterniflora.</li>
<li><b>Salt pools/pannes:</b>Depressed, bare areas with sparse vegetation cover and extremely high soil salinities. Generally, pools retain water between high tides while pannes do not.</li>
<li><b>Terrestrial border:</b>Area infrequently flooded by storm and spring tides and can include areas of marsh with fresh/brackish water due to a high water table and/or runoff from impervious surfaces. Typical plant species include Typha angustifolia, Iva frutescens, Baccharis halimifolia, Solidago sempervirens, Scirpus robustus, and Spartina pectinata.</li>
<li><b>Phragmites australis:</b>A species of considerable management interest due to the invasive nature of an introduced form, especially in marshes with freshwater input, upland development, and/or increased nutrients.</li>
<li><b>Mudflat:</b>Exposed muddy areas free of vegetation.</li>
<li><b>Open water (bordering cover type):</b>Channels and bays leading to open ocean.</li>
<li><b>Upland (bordering cover type):</b>All non-marsh terrestrial cover.</li></ul>
<br/>
Detailed zone descriptions, accuracy estimates for each cover type, and data limitation details are provided at <a href="https://nalcc.databasin.org/documents/documents/53ff96d6c2814d43aa92dc4948aa7d64/." target="_blank">https://nalcc.databasin.org/documents/documents/53ff96d6c2814d43aa92dc4948aa7d64/</a>. For more information about the development of the data please contact Mo Correll at <A HREF="mailto:Maureen.correll@maine.edu">Maureen.correll@maine.edu</A>.
<br/>
<br/>
Data are hosted on an external server.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: SHARP 2017. “Marsh Habitat Zonation Map”. Saltmarsh Habitat and Avian Research Program. Ver: 26 Oct 2017. https://www.tidalmarshbirds.org.
Description: This data layer shows the components of a proposed Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) design for regional long-term monitoring in North and Mid-Atlantic offshore lease areas and wind energy areas.
<br/>
<br/>
In June 2021, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) convened a workshop titled "Improving monitoring, data consistency, archiving, and access for improved regional integration of renewable energy projects and science: Passive acoustic monitoring and marine mammals." Attendees reviewed a nested grid monitoring design for placing PAM detector broadly across whale habitat off the US east coast continental shelf and in areas of proposed wind energy development. The design is based on achieving 100% acoustic coverage of North Atlantic right whales by using 20 x 20 km grid cells spacing throughout offshore wind energy lease areas and larger 40 x 40 km grid cells aimed at connecting the offshore wind energy areas, with suggested PAM stations centered in each respective grid cell. The latter would achieve acoustic coverage of around 50% of the area monitored, balancing the costs and logistics of collecting regional data with the ability to detect species presence across contiguous areas of interest within and between offshore wind areas. More detailed regional PAM monitoring designs can be seen for the five main current wind energy areas of interest. Baseline monitoring over the larger region is essential in order to be able to understand changes in species presence at a relevant scale for these highly migratory baleen whale species. The area grids will be updated as new wind energy areas are leased.
<br/>
<br/>
To view when and where specific whale, dolphin, and other cetacean species have been previously acoustically detected in the North Atlantic Ocean based PAM deployed between 2004-2020, visit the <a href="https://apps-nefsc.fisheries.noaa.gov/pacm/#/" target="_blank">Passive Acoustic Cetacean Map</a>.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Passive Acoustic Research Program, Sofie Van Parijs sofie.vanparijs@noaa.gov
Description: This data layer shows the components of a proposed Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) design for regional long-term monitoring in North and Mid-Atlantic offshore lease areas and wind energy areas.
<br/>
<br/>
In June 2021, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) convened a workshop titled "Improving monitoring, data consistency, archiving, and access for improved regional integration of renewable energy projects and science: Passive acoustic monitoring and marine mammals." Attendees reviewed a nested grid monitoring design for placing PAM detector broadly across whale habitat off the US east coast continental shelf and in areas of proposed wind energy development. The design is based on achieving 100% acoustic coverage of North Atlantic right whales by using 20 x 20 km grid cells spacing throughout offshore wind energy lease areas and larger 40 x 40 km grid cells aimed at connecting the offshore wind energy areas, with suggested PAM stations centered in each respective grid cell. The latter would achieve acoustic coverage of around 50% of the area monitored, balancing the costs and logistics of collecting regional data with the ability to detect species presence across contiguous areas of interest within and between offshore wind areas. More detailed regional PAM monitoring designs can be seen for the five main current wind energy areas of interest. Baseline monitoring over the larger region is essential in order to be able to understand changes in species presence at a relevant scale for these highly migratory baleen whale species. The area grids will be updated as new wind energy areas are leased.
<br/>
<br/>
To view when and where specific whale, dolphin, and other cetacean species have been previously acoustically detected in the North Atlantic Ocean based PAM deployed between 2004-2020, visit the <a href="https://apps-nefsc.fisheries.noaa.gov/pacm/#/" target="_blank">Passive Acoustic Cetacean Map</a>.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Passive Acoustic Research Program, Sofie Van Parijs sofie.vanparijs@noaa.gov
Description: This data layer shows the components of a proposed Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) design for regional long-term monitoring in North and Mid-Atlantic offshore lease areas and wind energy areas.
<br/>
<br/>
In June 2021, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) convened a workshop titled "Improving monitoring, data consistency, archiving, and access for improved regional integration of renewable energy projects and science: Passive acoustic monitoring and marine mammals." Attendees reviewed a nested grid monitoring design for placing PAM detector broadly across whale habitat off the US east coast continental shelf and in areas of proposed wind energy development. The design is based on achieving 100% acoustic coverage of North Atlantic right whales by using 20 x 20 km grid cells spacing throughout offshore wind energy lease areas and larger 40 x 40 km grid cells aimed at connecting the offshore wind energy areas, with suggested PAM stations centered in each respective grid cell. The latter would achieve acoustic coverage of around 50% of the area monitored, balancing the costs and logistics of collecting regional data with the ability to detect species presence across contiguous areas of interest within and between offshore wind areas. More detailed regional PAM monitoring designs can be seen for the five main current wind energy areas of interest. Baseline monitoring over the larger region is essential in order to be able to understand changes in species presence at a relevant scale for these highly migratory baleen whale species. The area grids will be updated as new wind energy areas are leased.
<br/>
<br/>
To view when and where specific whale, dolphin, and other cetacean species have been previously acoustically detected in the North Atlantic Ocean based PAM deployed between 2004-2020, visit the <a href="https://apps-nefsc.fisheries.noaa.gov/pacm/#/" target="_blank">Passive Acoustic Cetacean Map</a>.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Passive Acoustic Research Program, Sofie Van Parijs sofie.vanparijs@noaa.gov
Description: This data layer shows the components of a proposed Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) design for regional long-term monitoring in North and Mid-Atlantic offshore lease areas and wind energy areas.
<br/>
<br/>
In June 2021, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) convened a workshop titled "Improving monitoring, data consistency, archiving, and access for improved regional integration of renewable energy projects and science: Passive acoustic monitoring and marine mammals." Attendees reviewed a nested grid monitoring design for placing PAM detector broadly across whale habitat off the US east coast continental shelf and in areas of proposed wind energy development. The design is based on achieving 100% acoustic coverage of North Atlantic right whales by using 20 x 20 km grid cells spacing throughout offshore wind energy lease areas and larger 40 x 40 km grid cells aimed at connecting the offshore wind energy areas, with suggested PAM stations centered in each respective grid cell. The latter would achieve acoustic coverage of around 50% of the area monitored, balancing the costs and logistics of collecting regional data with the ability to detect species presence across contiguous areas of interest within and between offshore wind areas. More detailed regional PAM monitoring designs can be seen for the five main current wind energy areas of interest. Baseline monitoring over the larger region is essential in order to be able to understand changes in species presence at a relevant scale for these highly migratory baleen whale species. The area grids will be updated as new wind energy areas are leased.
<br/>
<br/>
To view when and where specific whale, dolphin, and other cetacean species have been previously acoustically detected in the North Atlantic Ocean based PAM deployed between 2004-2020, visit the <a href="https://apps-nefsc.fisheries.noaa.gov/pacm/#/" target="_blank">Passive Acoustic Cetacean Map</a>.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Passive Acoustic Research Program, Sofie Van Parijs sofie.vanparijs@noaa.gov
Description: This layer shows locations within the Proposed Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) Network where PAM devices are currently located. A PAM device may be deployed anywhere within the highlighted grid cell. When 20km grid cells overlap a 40km grid cell and the larger 40km grid cell is highlighted, it can be assumed that the device is not deployed in any of the overlapping 20km grid cells. Click on each highlighted grid cell to obtain available information about the entity responsible for the deployment, length of deployment, and contact information. There may be PAM devices deployed outside of these grid cells that are not depicted on this map. More detail on active recording locations within each grid cell and the broader region can be viewed on the <a href="https://apps-nefsc.fisheries.noaa.gov/pacm/#/" target="_blank">NEFSC Passive Acoustic Cetacean Map</a>.<br/><br/>This layer currently includes deployments managed by:<br/><ul style=“list-style-type:circle”><li>NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center</li> <li>University of New Hampshire</li> <li>Maine Department of Marine Resources</li> <li>Robots4Whales/WHOI</li> </ul><br/> <br/>For more information about active deployments, contact Sofie Van Parijs (<A HREF="mailto:sofie.vanparijs@noaa.gov">sofie.vanparijs@noaa.gov</A>) at the NOAA NEFSC Passive Acoustics Research Program.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Passive Acoustic Research Program, Sofie Van Parijs sofie.vanparijs@noaa.gov
Description: This layer shows locations within the Proposed Passive Acoustic Monitoring (PAM) Network where North Atlantic right whales (NARW) were detected at least one day within each grid cell since 2010. There have also been detections of NARW outside of these grid cells over this time that are not depicted on this map. These data are meant to inform locations where new PAM devices could be placed to detect NARW in the future. For detail on recording locations within each grid cell, lengths of deployment, and number of detections over time (including for cetacean species other than NARW), visit the <a href="https://apps-nefsc.fisheries.noaa.gov/pacm/#/" target="_blank">NEFSC Passive Acoustic Cetacean Map</a>.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center, Passive Acoustic Research Program, Sofie Van Parijs sofie.vanparijs@noaa.gov
Name: New England Aquarium Megafauna Aerial Survey Transects 2011-2021
Display Field: Id
Type: Feature Layer
Geometry Type: esriGeometryPolyline
Description: This layer represents transects from New England Aquarium aerial surveys conducted from 2011-2021. These surveys focused on all marine megafauna visible from a plane (excluding birds) and were comprised of ten north-south transects evenly spaced at approximately six nautical miles (nm). Eight survey options are available: each option shifts all 10 transects 0.75 nm east or west, but maintains the six nm spacing between transects. One of these options was selected at random before each survey. The surveys have been funded by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), and most recently by offshore wind development companies. In some years, surveys were coordinated with partners that conducted boat-based oceanographic sampling to assess the physical and biological characteristics of the study area.
<br/>
<br/>
The surveys show that many species of marine megafauna use the study area in high numbers. The most recent surveys show an increased presence of right whales in all seasons and a decrease in the presence of other large whales, such as humpbacks. There also appears to be a shift in presence of all large whales towards the eastern side of the survey area. Continued surveys are needed to determine the consistency of these patterns. Continuing this 10-year time series of consistent aerial survey data also represents a unique opportunity to detect potential short-term effects of turbine construction on US marine species and develop solutions for mitigating these effects.
<br/>
<br/>
View the most recent survey report: <a href="https://files-cdn.masscec.com/uploads/attachments/BOEM%202021-054%20NEAq%20MACEC%20BOEM%20Large%20Pelagics%20Campaign%206A%20Final.pdf" target="_blank">Megafauna Aerial Surveys in the Wind Energy Areas of Massachusetts and Rhode Island with Emphasis on Large Whales: Summary Report Campaign 6a, March 2020 - October 2020</a>.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: New England Aquarium, Jessica Redfern jredfern@neaq.org
Description: Areas of Particular Concern have been designated in state waters through the <a href="https://rules.sos.ri.gov/regulations/part/650-20-05-11" target="_blank">RI Ocean Special Area Management Plan</a> (Ocean SAMP) process with the goal of protecting areas that have high conservation value, cultural and historic value, or human use value from offshore development. These areas may be limited in their use by a particular regulatory agency (e.g., shipping lanes), or have inherent risk associated with them (e.g., unexploded ordnance locations), or have inherent natural value or value assigned by human interest (e.g., glacial moraines, historic shipwreck sites).
<br/>
<br/>
Glacial moraines are important habitat areas for a diversity of fish and other marine plants and animals because of their relative structural permanence and structural complexity. Glacial moraines create a unique bottom topography that allows for habitat diversity and complexity, which allows for species diversity in these areas and creates environments that exhibit some of the highest biodiversity within the entire Ocean SAMP area. The RI CRMC also recognizes that because glacial moraines contain valuable habitats for fish and other marine life, they are also important to commercial and recreational fishermen. Accordingly, the RI CRMC designated glacial moraines as identified in the Ocean SAMP as Areas of Particular Concern.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council (RI CRMC)
Description: This layer shows the results of a drop camera survey to estimate the number and size of Atlantic sea scallops (Placopecten magellanicus) over 70,000 km^2 of the continental shelf, an area that nearly covers the entire range of this species. The survey was conducted from May to October in 2017, with additional areas surveyed in 2016 and 2018. In total, 22,592 quadrat samples were collected at 5648 stations. The productivity of sampled areas was ranked by the presence or absence of scallops observed in each quadrat image: 0 scallops for low productivity, 1–2 scallops for medium productivity, and 3 or more scallops for high productivity. This sampling represents a snapshot in time; over the 20-year time-series of the US resource, areas that at one time did not have scallops could potentially support high densities at a later date if a recruitment event were to occur. From these surveys, researchers estimated that there were 34 billion individual scallops (95% confidence limits: 22–46 billion) within the species’ range.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: Stokesbury and Bethoney, 2020; Frontiers in Ecology and Environment 18(9):513–519, doi:10.1002/fee.2244