Description: This map layer shows the locations of buoys and monitoring stations of the Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems (NERACOOS). These instruments monitor oceanographic and meteorological phenomena such as current speeds, wind speeds, and temperature. Bouy location, status, and attribution is current as of June 27, 2017.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems
Description: This map layer shows model estimates of offshore wind speeds at height of 90 m above the ocean surface. The estimates are shown in 100-meter grid cells. The lowest annual mean wind speed in the model was 5.5 m/s, and the highest was 10.375 m/s. More information is available at http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy10osti/45889.pdf.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Description: This map layer shows depth, or bathymetry, in 90-meter square grid cells from the NOAA National Geophysical Data Center’s Coastal Relief Model. Vertical units are in meters and the data cover coastal and offshore areas in the northeastern U.S. and extend out to the continental shelf. The maximum depth shown on the map is 3,942.5 m.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: NOAA National Geophysical Data Center
Description: Submarine canyons are diverse and complex in terms of their origins, hydrography, geologic settings and biodiversity. The combination of steep rocky slopes, strong currents and enhanced access to food makes submarine canyons places of ecological significance.
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Global submarine canyon data are derived from <a href=" https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0025322714000310"target="_blank"> Geomorphology of the Oceans</a> by Harris, Macmillan-Lawler, Rupp, and Baker. In this study, submarine canyons are defined as “steep-walled, sinuous valleys with V-shaped cross sections, axes sloping outward as continuously as river-cut land canyons and relief comparable to even the largest of land canyons” (Shepard, 1963). “Large” canyons were mapped in this study based on the definition of Harris and Whiteway (2011), which requires canyons to extend over a depth range of at least 1,000 m and to be incised at least 100 m into the slope at some point along their lowest elevation.<br/>
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: GRID-Arendal, Geoscience Australia, Conservation International
Name: Contours - Mean Annual Offshore Wind Speed (m/s)
Display Field: ContourMin
Type: Feature Layer
Geometry Type: esriGeometryPolygon
Description: This layer represents mean annual offshore wind speed, contoured at 0.5 m/s intervals. The data are derived from the Wind Integration National Dataset (WIND) Toolkit, a state-of-the-art national wind resource data set covering the contiguous United States from 2007 to 2013 for use in a variety of next-generation wind integration analyses and wind power planning. This layer shows 2km gridded wind speeds 100m above ground level/sea surface clipped to the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. For more information visit the <a href="https://www.nrel.gov/grid/wind-toolkit.html"target="_blank">Wind Integration National Dataset Toolkit</a>.
Description: The feature class contains bathymetric contours which provide the size, shape and distribution of underwater features. The contours are from zero to -100m with a contour every 10 meters, a -101m to -500m with contours every 25meters, and -501m+ with contours every 100m until all contours had been created for the DEM utilized. The DEM utilized was the Global Multi-Resolution Topography (GMRT) Synthesis which is a multi-resolution gridded global Digital Elevation Model (DEM) that includes cleaned processed ship-based multibeam sonar data at their full spatial resolution (~100m in the deep sea).
Description: This dataset constitutes a portion of the input data for the Northeast Fishing Effects Model (Fishing Effects), and its primary purpose is to serve as a base layer for that model. Five different sediment grain sizes plus a steep and deep habitat type are represented in the dataset, which indicates the proportion of each grain size occurring within each 5x5 km grid cell based on available data (primarily from the USGS and SMAST drop camera survey dataset). In areas where there were existing polygon interpretations of sediments, these are used instead of the point-based interpolations to determine the percent sediment values in the final sediment dataset. For each grid cell, the proportions across the five grain sizes and steep and deep habitat type sum to 1, such that the area of the grid cell is fully allocated to one or more of the six conditions. The legends and color ramps for each of the five grain size layers are unique so as to display the range of variability within each layer. The model domain is fromthe U.S./Canadian border to the N.C./S.C. border, and inshore to offshore from the coastline to the Exclusive Economic Zone boundary. <br/> <br/>
A secondary purpose for these maps of sediment grain sizes is to inform various spatial planning issues where seabed type is a consideration for decision making. It is important to understand caveats and limitations associated with both the underlying source data and this compilation when using the data for spatial planning. These limitations and caveats influence the Fishing Effects model percent habitat disturbance results as well. 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: This dataset constitutes a portion of the input data for the Northeast Fishing Effects Model (Fishing Effects), and its primary purpose is to serve as a base layer for that model. Five different sediment grain sizes plus a steep and deep habitat type are represented in the dataset, which indicates the proportion of each grain size occurring within each 5x5 km grid cell based on available data (primarily from the USGS and SMAST drop camera survey dataset). In areas where there were existing polygon interpretations of sediments, these are used instead of the point-based interpolations to determine the percent sediment values in the final sediment dataset. For each grid cell, the proportions across the five grain sizes and steep and deep habitat type sum to 1, such that the area of the grid cell is fully allocated to one or more of the six conditions. The legends and color ramps for each of the five grain size layers are unique so as to display the range of variability within each layer. The model domain is fromthe U.S./Canadian border to the N.C./S.C. border, and inshore to offshore from the coastline to the Exclusive Economic Zone boundary. <br/> <br/>
A secondary purpose for these maps of sediment grain sizes is to inform various spatial planning issues where seabed type is a consideration for decision making. It is important to understand caveats and limitations associated with both the underlying source data and this compilation when using the data for spatial planning. These limitations and caveats influence the Fishing Effects model percent habitat disturbance results as well. 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: This dataset constitutes a portion of the input data for the Northeast Fishing Effects Model (Fishing Effects), and its primary purpose is to serve as a base layer for that model. Five different sediment grain sizes plus a steep and deep habitat type are represented in the dataset, which indicates the proportion of each grain size occurring within each 5x5 km grid cell based on available data (primarily from the USGS and SMAST drop camera survey dataset). In areas where there were existing polygon interpretations of sediments, these are used instead of the point-based interpolations to determine the percent sediment values in the final sediment dataset. For each grid cell, the proportions across the five grain sizes and steep and deep habitat type sum to 1, such that the area of the grid cell is fully allocated to one or more of the six conditions. The legends and color ramps for each of the five grain size layers are unique so as to display the range of variability within each layer. The model domain is fromthe U.S./Canadian border to the N.C./S.C. border, and inshore to offshore from the coastline to the Exclusive Economic Zone boundary. <br/> <br/>
A secondary purpose for these maps of sediment grain sizes is to inform various spatial planning issues where seabed type is a consideration for decision making. It is important to understand caveats and limitations associated with both the underlying source data and this compilation when using the data for spatial planning. These limitations and caveats influence the Fishing Effects model percent habitat disturbance results as well. 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: This dataset constitutes a portion of the input data for the Northeast Fishing Effects Model (Fishing Effects), and its primary purpose is to serve as a base layer for that model. Five different sediment grain sizes plus a steep and deep habitat type are represented in the dataset, which indicates the proportion of each grain size occurring within each 5x5 km grid cell based on available data (primarily from the USGS and SMAST drop camera survey dataset). In areas where there were existing polygon interpretations of sediments, these are used instead of the point-based interpolations to determine the percent sediment values in the final sediment dataset. For each grid cell, the proportions across the five grain sizes and steep and deep habitat type sum to 1, such that the area of the grid cell is fully allocated to one or more of the six conditions. The legends and color ramps for each of the five grain size layers are unique so as to display the range of variability within each layer. The model domain is fromthe U.S./Canadian border to the N.C./S.C. border, and inshore to offshore from the coastline to the Exclusive Economic Zone boundary. <br/> <br/>
A secondary purpose for these maps of sediment grain sizes is to inform various spatial planning issues where seabed type is a consideration for decision making. It is important to understand caveats and limitations associated with both the underlying source data and this compilation when using the data for spatial planning. These limitations and caveats influence the Fishing Effects model percent habitat disturbance results as well. 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: This dataset constitutes a portion of the input data for the Northeast Fishing Effects Model (Fishing Effects), and its primary purpose is to indicate the number of data points occurring within each 5x5 grid cell (data density). Sediment type and diversity values in cells with fewer observations may be less reliable than values calculated for grids with more grain size observations. This layer essentially serves as a data quality assessment, so users can visualize the limitations associated with both the underlying source data and this compilation when using the data for spatial planning. These limitations and caveats influence the Fishing Effects model percent habitat disturbance results as well.
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In areas where there were existing polygon interpretations of sediments, the polygons were used instead of the point-based interpolations to determine the percent sediment values in the final sediment dataset. The polygon data are not included in this sediment data density product, only points. The detailed metadata document includes maps of where polygon data were used to classify habitat type. The methods for generating the percent sediment grid, including the use of polygon vs. point data in specific locations, are explained in the metadata document for that dataset. 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: This dataset constitutes a portion of the input data for the Northeast Fishing Effects Model (Fishing Effects), and its primary purpose is to indicate the number of sediment types associated with each 5 x 5 km grid cell in the percent sediment base layer for the Fishing Effects model. The maximum diversity is five, since there are five grain size classes: mud, sand, granule/pebble, cobble, and boulder. The grain size distribution was modeled based on available data (primarily from the USGS and SMAST drop camera survey dataset, and also from various sediment polygon data sources). This layer provides a rough indication of the diversity of sediment types within a cell. The associated map of sediment grain size diversity can be used to inform various spatial planning issues where seabed diversity is a consideration for decision making. It is important to understand caveats and limitations associated with both the underlying source data and this compilation when using the data for spatial planning. 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: This dataset constitutes a portion of the input data for the Northeast Fishing Effects Model (Fishing Effects), and its primary purpose is to serve as a base layer for that model. Five different sediment grain sizes plus a steep and deep habitat type are represented in the dataset, which indicates the proportion of each grain size occurring within each 5x5 km grid cell based on available data (primarily from the USGS and SMAST drop camera survey dataset). In areas where there were existing polygon interpretations of sediments, these are used instead of the point-based interpolations to determine the percent sediment values in the final sediment dataset. For each grid cell, the proportions across the five grain sizes and steep and deep habitat type sum to 1, such that the area of the grid cell is fully allocated to one or more of the six conditions. The legends and color ramps for each of the five grain size layers are unique so as to display the range of variability within each layer. The model domain is fromthe U.S./Canadian border to the N.C./S.C. border, and inshore to offshore from the coastline to the Exclusive Economic Zone boundary. <br/> <br/>
A secondary purpose for these maps of sediment grain sizes is to inform various spatial planning issues where seabed type is a consideration for decision making. It is important to understand caveats and limitations associated with both the underlying source data and this compilation when using the data for spatial planning. These limitations and caveats influence the Fishing Effects model percent habitat disturbance results as well. 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: This dataset constitutes a portion of the input data for the Northeast Fishing Effects Model (Fishing Effects), and its primary purpose is to serve as a base layer for that model. Five different sediment grain sizes plus a steep and deep habitat type are represented in the dataset, which indicates the proportion of each grain size occurring within each 5x5 km grid cell based on available data (primarily from the USGS and SMAST drop camera survey dataset). In areas where there were existing polygon interpretations of sediments, these are used instead of the point-based interpolations to determine the percent sediment values in the final sediment dataset. For each grid cell, the proportions across the five grain sizes and steep and deep habitat type sum to 1, such that the area of the grid cell is fully allocated to one or more of the six conditions. The legends and color ramps for each of the five grain size layers are unique so as to display the range of variability within each layer. The model domain is fromthe U.S./Canadian border to the N.C./S.C. border, and inshore to offshore from the coastline to the Exclusive Economic Zone boundary. <br/> <br/>
A secondary purpose for these maps of sediment grain sizes is to inform various spatial planning issues where seabed type is a consideration for decision making. It is important to understand caveats and limitations associated with both the underlying source data and this compilation when using the data for spatial planning. These limitations and caveats influence the Fishing Effects model percent habitat disturbance results as well. 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: This data layer is a subset of the <a href="https://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/project-pages/mobility/index.html" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey Sea Floor Stress and Sediment Mobility database</a> U.S. Geological Survey Sea Floor Stress and Sediment Mobility database, and contains an estimate of the median of bottom shear stress for the Gulf of Maine and Middle Atlantic Bight. This output is based on statistical characterizations of numerical model estimates of wave and circulation patterns over an approximately one year time frame. These data are primarily intended to show the overall distribution of the average stress values on large spatial scales, and should be used qualitatively. Intended users include scientific researchers and the coastal and marine spatial planning community.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: Dalyander, P. Soupy, Butman, Bradford, Sherwood, C.R., and Signell, R. P., 2012, U.S. Geological Survey Sea Floor Stress and Sediment Mobility Database: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/project-pages/mobility.
Description: This data layer is a subset of the <a href="https://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/project-pages/mobility/index.html" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey Sea Floor Stress and Sediment Mobility database</a> U.S. Geological Survey Sea Floor Stress and Sediment Mobility database, and contains an estimate of the median of bottom shear stress for the Gulf of Maine and Middle Atlantic Bight. This output is based on statistical characterizations of numerical model estimates of wave and circulation patterns over an approximately one year time frame. These data are primarily intended to show the overall distribution of the average stress values on large spatial scales, and should be used qualitatively. Intended users include scientific researchers and the coastal and marine spatial planning community.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: Dalyander, P. Soupy, Butman, Bradford, Sherwood, C.R., and Signell, R. P., 2012, U.S. Geological Survey Sea Floor Stress and Sediment Mobility Database: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/project-pages/mobility.
Description: This data layer is a subset of the <a href="https://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/project-pages/mobility/index.html" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey Sea Floor Stress and Sediment Mobility database</a> U.S. Geological Survey Sea Floor Stress and Sediment Mobility database, and contains an estimate of the median of bottom shear stress for the Gulf of Maine and Middle Atlantic Bight. This output is based on statistical characterizations of numerical model estimates of wave and circulation patterns over an approximately one year time frame. These data are primarily intended to show the overall distribution of the average stress values on large spatial scales, and should be used qualitatively. Intended users include scientific researchers and the coastal and marine spatial planning community.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: Dalyander, P. Soupy, Butman, Bradford, Sherwood, C.R., and Signell, R. P., 2012, U.S. Geological Survey Sea Floor Stress and Sediment Mobility Database: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/project-pages/mobility.
Description: This data layer is a subset of the <a href="https://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/project-pages/mobility/index.html" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey Sea Floor Stress and Sediment Mobility database</a> U.S. Geological Survey Sea Floor Stress and Sediment Mobility database, and contains an estimate of the median of bottom shear stress for the Gulf of Maine and Middle Atlantic Bight. This output is based on statistical characterizations of numerical model estimates of wave and circulation patterns over an approximately one year time frame. These data are primarily intended to show the overall distribution of the average stress values on large spatial scales, and should be used qualitatively. Intended users include scientific researchers and the coastal and marine spatial planning community.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: Dalyander, P. Soupy, Butman, Bradford, Sherwood, C.R., and Signell, R. P., 2012, U.S. Geological Survey Sea Floor Stress and Sediment Mobility Database: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/project-pages/mobility.
Description: This data layer is a subset of the <a href="https://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/project-pages/mobility/index.html" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey Sea Floor Stress and Sediment Mobility database</a> U.S. Geological Survey Sea Floor Stress and Sediment Mobility database, and contains an estimate of the median of bottom shear stress for the Gulf of Maine and Middle Atlantic Bight. This output is based on statistical characterizations of numerical model estimates of wave and circulation patterns over an approximately one year time frame. These data are primarily intended to show the overall distribution of the average stress values on large spatial scales, and should be used qualitatively. Intended users include scientific researchers and the coastal and marine spatial planning community.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: Dalyander, P. Soupy, Butman, Bradford, Sherwood, C.R., and Signell, R. P., 2012, U.S. Geological Survey Sea Floor Stress and Sediment Mobility Database: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/project-pages/mobility.
Description: This data layer is a subset of the <a href="https://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/project-pages/mobility/index.html" target="_blank">U.S. Geological Survey Sea Floor Stress and Sediment Mobility database</a> U.S. Geological Survey Sea Floor Stress and Sediment Mobility database, and contains an estimate of the median of bottom shear stress for the Gulf of Maine and Middle Atlantic Bight. This output is based on statistical characterizations of numerical model estimates of wave and circulation patterns over an approximately one year time frame. These data are primarily intended to show the overall distribution of the average stress values on large spatial scales, and should be used qualitatively. Intended users include scientific researchers and the coastal and marine spatial planning community.
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: Dalyander, P. Soupy, Butman, Bradford, Sherwood, C.R., and Signell, R. P., 2012, U.S. Geological Survey Sea Floor Stress and Sediment Mobility Database: U.S. Geological Survey data release, https://woodshole.er.usgs.gov/project-pages/mobility.
Description: This layer shows areas that the state of Maine has prioritized for inshore and offshore seafloor mapping in the 2024-2025 time period. Areas were selected by the Maine Department of Marine Resources and Governor's Energy Office, considering seafloor mapping needs to support offshore wind planning and other factors. The inshore areas address existing coastal mapping gaps as well as potential offshore wind cable routes in the Midcoast and Casco Bay areas. The offshore areas were selected to ensure continuous 4-meter continuous bathymetry and backscatter coverage from shore to the Gulf of Maine Wind Energy Area, including potential cable routes associated with the proposed Research Array. For more information, contact Jesse Minor (<A HREF="mailto:jesse.minor@maine.gov">jesse.minor@maine.gov</A>).
Definition Expression: N/A
Copyright Text: Jesse Minor, Maine Coastal Mapping Initiative Lead, jesse.minor@maine.gov
Description: NOAA Fisheries <a href="https://deepseacoraldata.noaa.gov/" target="_blank">Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program</a> and <a href="https://www.saildrone.com/" target="_blank">Saildrone Inc.</a> are using the USVs for research purposes to collect high-resolution seafloor bathymetry and backscatter data along predetermined survey tracklines. This project surveys deep sea corals and canyons. Saildrone will be conducting research to collect high resolution seafloor bathymetry and backscatter data with up to two Uncrewed Surface Vehicles (USVs), called SAILDRONE VOYAGERs, <a href="https://www.saildrone.com/news/gulf-of-maine-mapping-mission" target="_blank">in the eastern third of the Gulf of Maine</a>. SAILDRONE VOYAGERs are equipped with radar, Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), and cameras. They operate at speeds between 2-4 knots, moving between a series of predetermined waypoints. Vehicles are monitored remotely 24/7 by the Saildrone Mission Control Team. The southern portion of the study area was mapping in fall 2023. Saildrones are <a href="https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USNOAAFISHERIES/bulletins/394709e" target="_blank">continuing to map the area in 2024</a>.