# NOS News Briefs

This feed provides weekly news briefs from NOAA's National Ocean Service.

- Connecticut Water Level Station Repaired A NOAA field team made emergency repairs to the National Water Level Observation Network (NWLON) station in New London, Connecticut. The crew upgraded the electronics inside the station, and replaced damaged solar panels and dead batteries. Coastal communities depend on NWLON stations like the one in New London for accurate water level data that is critical for safe and efficient marine navigation and the protection of infrastructure along the coast.
- Florida Ocean Guardian Schools Implement Local Stewardship Projects The Florida Ocean Guardian School program is in full swing with five schools participating in stewardship projects under the leadership of NOAA’s Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. An Ocean Guardian School makes a commitment to protect and conserve its local watersheds, the world's ocean, and special ocean areas by proposing the implementation of a school- or community-based conservation project. Students learn to be environmental stewards by actively engaging in actions that promote conservation knowledge and directly benefit NOAA-managed resources. Schools in the Florida program are conducting a mangrove restoration project and are focusing on waste reduction.
- Mississippi River Commission Hosts Annual High Water Inspection NOAA Coast Survey representatives attended the Mississippi River Commission annual high water inspection. The commission held public meetings aboard the Motor Vessel Mississippi in Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Louisiana, giving the presidentially-appointed commission members an opportunity to meet with local partners, stakeholders, and residents to hear their concerns, ideas, and issues. President Barack Obama appointed Rear Admiral Shepard M. Smith to the commission in 2016. RDML Smith is one of seven members of the commission whose authority extends the length of the Mississippi River from Minnesota to Louisiana. Duties of the commission include recommending policy and work programs, studying and reporting on the necessity of modifications or additions to flood control and navigation projects, and conducting semi-annual (high and low water) inspection trips to maintain a dialogue among watershed interests, the public, and the Army Corps of Engineers.
- Interactive Data Map for GEOID18 Model Released A new interactive map shows differences between the GEOID18 and GEOID12B models. The updated map shows areas where data gaps were filled, provides a new error estimation layer, and shares information about each of the marks that were used to create the model. NGS recently released the beta version of GEOID18 for public review and comment. GEOID18 will replace GEOID12B to deliver improved GPS-derived NAVD 88 heights measured from sea level. GEOID18 will allow users to access NAVD 88 heights from GPS and will be the last hybrid geoid model NGS creates before the North American-Pacific Geopotential Datum of 2022 replaces NAVD 88. NGS encourages users to explore the map and send questions or comments to NGS.Feedback@noaa.gov.
- U.S. Coast Pilot® Publication Now Contains Coast Guard Navigation Rules All nine volumes of the United States Coast Pilot®, a series of sailing directions that supplement nautical charts, now contain the U.S. Coast Guard’s International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea and the Inland Navigation Rules. The navigation rules are similar to rules on the highway, presenting a consistent way to navigate safely and avoid collisions on the water. Having the newly published U.S. Coast Pilot fulfills mariners’ legal requirement to keep a copy of these regulations on board. Each volume covers a separate geographical region and contains navigation regulations, facility locations, weather information, and other topics critical to safe navigation.
- Marine Protected Areas Agency Partnership Coordinates International Marine Conservation The international Marine Protected Areas Agency Partnership (MPAAP) convened to discuss ongoing collaboration opportunities. The partnership facilitates a collective contribution to marine conservation on a global scale by providing a forum for the international coordination of marine protected area science, conservation, problem solving, and best practice sharing. Such an approach is essential to address contemporary, widespread threats of overfishing, pollution, and change. The Canada-led meeting included participation from the NOAA MPA Center (representing the U.S.), Australia, Chile, France, Germany, Mexico, Spain, and the United Kingdom, as well as staff from the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the Mediterranean Marine Protected Areas Network.
- Improving Oil Spill Response in the Panama Canal NOAA is working with the Panama Canal Authority to update the hydrography of the canal to improve oil spill tracking there. Recent enlargement of the canal led to a change in water circulation near the locks. Hydrographic updates will better prepare the canal authority to respond in the event of an oil spill. OR&R plans to complete this project in May 2019 with an on-scene visit from OR&R staff. The new hydrography will be used in a subsequent annual oil spill exercise August 2019.
- Maine Water Level Station Successfully Relocated NOAA’s Navigation Services delivered its second annual congressional staff briefing hosted by the Congressional Ports Opportunity, Renewal, Trade, and Security (PORTS) Caucus. At the event, stakeholders explained to congressional staff how they use navigation services, and emphasized why these services play an important role in maritime safety and the Blue Economy. U.S. Navy Rear Admiral (ret.) Tim Gallaudet, PhD, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Deputy NOAA Administrator and Dr. Jeff Payne, Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone Management, gave an overview of these vital services.
- The Hydrographic Society of America 2019 Conference NOAA Coast Survey participated in the U.S. Hydro 2019 conference, hosted by The Hydrographic Society of America in Biloxi, Mississippi. The conference drew participants from around the world, including Canada, South America, and China, to attend talks and deliver presentations. Over three days, OCS gave presentations on a wide range of topics, including data collection efforts on NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson, autonomous survey operations, and the new S-100 data standards. Canada and the U.S. take turns hosting the meeting each year, and it is an important opportunity to showcase U.S. hydrographic initiatives.
- NGS, NASA Site Survey Contributes to Global Coordinate System National Geodetic Survey personnel conducted a local site survey at the Haleakalā Observatory in Maui, Hawaii, to determine the spatial relationship of two instruments—one of which is operated by NASA—for conducting space geodesy. The international body responsible for maintaining global time and reference frame standards uses information from local site surveys, NGS Foundation CORS, and space geodesy observations to realize the global coordinate system, or International Terrestrial Reference Frame (ITRF). NGS surveys use the latest technologies to improve the ITRF, which is a key element in monitoring plate tectonics, measuring regional subsidence and/or uplift, providing consistent navigation systems, determining the rate of sea level rise, and employing other important Earth science applications.
- Researchers Judge Student Underwater Robotics Competition NOAA scientists served as judges of the 2019 SeaPerch Charleston Challenge in South Carolina. Middle and high school students who participate in the SeaPerch Program learn about science, engineering, robotics, and mathematics, while building an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV). Students shared their project posters and entered their ROVs in a timed aquatic mission and obstacle course. The 2019 mission course was inspired by the real-life events of students trapped in a cave in Thailand in 2018 and the challenges faced by their rescuers. Winning teams from the Charleston event will participate in the International SeaPerch competition at the University of Maryland, College Park, in June.
- NOAA Leads Discussion on Nation’s Coral Reef Conservation Efforts On April 4, U.S. Navy Rear Admiral (ret.) Tim Gallaudet, PhD, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Deputy NOAA Administrator, will co-chair the 41st U.S. Coral Reef Task Force meeting in Washington, D.C. The event, which will be held at the U.S. Department of the Interior, will include discussions on recent storm recovery efforts in the Pacific and Caribbean, the response to Florida’s stony coral tissue-loss disease, advances in technology for reef management, and updates on coral restoration efforts. The U.S. Coral Reef Task Force leads U.S. efforts to preserve and protect coral reef ecosystems. CRCP helped coordinate the meeting.
- Final Forecast Issued for Gulf of Mexico Harmful Algal Bloom NOAA released the final forecast for a bloom of Karenia brevis red tide that persisted in the Gulf of Mexico since November 3, 2017. The bloom made appearances in every Gulf Coast state, briefly appearing simultaneously in northwest Florida, southwest Florida, and east Florida, in addition to a separate Karenia brevis bloom that formed along the Texas coast. The concurrent blooms marked a first for CO-OPS, which also forecasted a blue-green Microcystis bloom in Lake Erie while the aforementioned blooms were active. In all, CO-OPS produced 197 bulletins for the Gulf of Mexico over the course of the event. The 17-month K. brevis bloom was the longest in a decade, and the first bloom to last more than a full calendar year since 2004-2006, when Florida experienced a bloom lasting 18 months.
- New Editions of Hydrographic, Maritime, and GIS Standards Finalized NOAA's Coast Survey office chaired this year’s International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) meeting of the S-100 working group. S-100 is a framework for the development of digital products and services for hydrographic, maritime, and Geographic Information System communities. Establishing and maintaining appropriate standards helps stakeholders use hydrographic data and information properly and efficiently. The S-100 working group finalized new editions for standards on bathymetric data, underkeel clearance management, and interoperability specifications for navigation systems. The working group anticipates that these standards will be available for testing and implementation in late 2019.
- Sanctuary Team Leads Effort to Free Entangled Humpback Whale A multi-agency response team found and freed a young humpback whale entangled in heavy gauge line in the waters of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. The combined effort to free the whale took more than three hours, requiring responders to use more than 400 feet of commercial fishing line and buoys. The team determined that the recovered commercial fishing gear was crab-pot gear from Dutch Harbor, Alaska — more than 2,200 nautical miles from the sanctuary’s waters. To date, the sanctuary has worked with partners to free 32 large whales.
- Settlement Proposed for Atlantic Wood Industries Superfund Site The U.S. Department of Justice proposed a settlement to compensate the public for natural resource damage at the Atlantic Wood Industries Superfund Site. The site consists of about 50 acres of land on the industrialized waterfront in Portsmouth, Virginia, and more than 30 acres of contaminated sediments in the Elizabeth River. The settlement includes $1.5 million to build approximately 15 acres of oyster reef in the river. NOAA coordinated with federal and state co-trustees and used Environmental Protection Agency remedial data to quantify damage to the river.
- GEOID18 Products Released for Beta Testing and Public Comment GEOID18 will provide improved GPS-derived North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD88) equivalent heights and will be the last hybrid geoid model NGS will release before replacing the nation's current height reference frame, NAVD88, with the North American-Pacific Geopotential Datum of 2022. NAVD88 is based on historic geodetic leveling surveys using thousands of bench marks, most of which have not been positioned using GPS. Adding GPS coordinates to the control marks allows them to be used in NGS's modern height reference-surface modeling.
- Water Level Station Benefits from 'One NOAA' Approach A Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services field crew teamed up with staff from the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary to service Monterey, California's water level station. The sanctuary has assisted CO-OPS field crews to service water level stations in the past by providing staff and small boat support, but this year, a gear malfunction left one of the CO-OPS divers unable to complete the dive operation. Instead, sanctuary staff completed the dive operation, and the annual maintenance was done on time, demonstrating a "One NOAA" approach. CO-OPS maintains a permanent observing system of more than 200 water level gauges throughout the U.S. and its territories. The stations require routine maintenance so they can continue to disseminate important water level information to local mariners and coastal communities.
- Earth is Blue Magazine Volume 3 is Live Volume 3 of Earth is Blue, the magazine of the National Marine Sanctuary System, is available online. The edition focuses on people who live and work in and around the National Marine Sanctuary System and how communities help support these protected areas. The magazine helps reach new and established audiences and shares information about the National Marine Sanctuary System, while its website helps broaden the publication's audience.
- Presentation on Microplastics at Alabama Sustainability Summit A representative from the Office of Response and Restoration gave a presentation at the University of Alabama System's annual Sustainability Summit in Mobile, Alabama, on the emerging threat of microplastics. Other discussion topics at the summit included new sustainability projects and initiatives, examples of successful campus efforts, recycling challenges in America, and disposal alternatives to landfills.
- Hope for the Ocean’s Future: 2018 Sanctuaries Accomplishments Year in and year out, the National Marine Sanctuary System works to ensure the health of the nation’s valuable ocean places. ONMS’s 2018 annual report, Hope for the Ocean’s Future, highlights the program office’s major accomplishments from the past year — including collaboration for innovative solutions, groundbreaking research, and new opportunities for tourism, recreation, and sustainable fishing and boating.
- Workshop Examines Fisheries Management during Pollution Events The National Ocean Service, NOAA Fisheries’ Greater Atlantic Regional Field Office, and the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping/NOAA-University of New Hampshire Joint Hydrographic Center brought response, management, and seafood inspection authorities together to discuss fisheries management in the event of a major pollution incident in the Gulf of Maine. The one-day workshop examined the science of fisheries closures in the wake of oil spills. Participants included state response and management agency representatives from Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts, and personnel from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, NOAA’s Seafood Inspection Program, New Hampshire Sea Grant, and others.
- Basic Hydrographic Training Course Held in Seattle The Office of Coast Survey hosted NOAA’s Basic Hydrographic Training Course in Seattle, Washington. The three-week course provides theoretical and practical instruction on hydrographic topics by preparing students for the upcoming hydrographic field season and educating them on the latest hydrographic technology. Students included NOAA ship personnel and staff from Oregon State University and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Experts from across the hydrographic community served as instructors, including staff from NOAA’s Pacific Hydrographic Branch, Coast Survey Development Lab, NOAA Ship Fairweather, CO-OPS, NGS, and Teledyne Caris, Inc.
- Fostering Climate Adaptation in Rural Communities Rural communities are struggling with climate change but have a hard time garnering attention and resources. In an effort to better understand and overcome the effects of climate change on rural communities, adaptation practitioners from Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia gathered to exchange ideas. An expert in community leadership from Louisiana shared lessons learned with the participants, who collectively identified their limitations and shared approaches for overcoming challenges, including cross-sector network building. The training concluded with participants committing to ongoing collaboration and prioritizing of rural communities’ needs. NOAA planned and facilitated the event.
- Partnership Fosters Sustainable Fishing and Boating in Federal Waters Recreational fishing and boating are enormously popular American pastimes, an economic force, and a bridge to conservation. In recognition of the importance of these activities to coastal economies, NOAA Sanctuaries and NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service formalized a partnership with leading industry and resource management groups to strengthen collaborative efforts that promote sustainable, long-term recreational fishing and boating opportunities in federal waters, including national marine sanctuaries. The partnership intends to help communities realize greater social and economic benefits from sustainable recreational fishing and boating, and to inspire momentum for a healthy ocean.
- Study Finds Contaminants in Chesapeake Bay, Charleston Harbor NOAA scientists published an assessment of Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CEC) (PDF) in Maryland’s Chesapeake Bay and South Carolina’s Charleston Harbor. CECs include pharmaceuticals, personal care products, flame retardants, pesticides, industrial chemicals, and stain-resistant compounds. CECs are often unregulated, unmonitored, and potentially toxic chemicals that are finding their way into the environment. Of the 216 CECs tested for the study, the team detected 98 in oyster tissues and estuarine sediments sampled from 2015-2017. Using pilot studies, NOAA is working to quantify the magnitude and distribution of CECs in the U.S. coastal zone. The assessments described in the study are providing natural resource managers with important baseline data.
- Conducting Airborne Gravity Surveys Over Pacific Islands The Gravity for the Redefinition of the American Vertical Datum (GRAV-D) project is conducting airborne gravity surveys over American Samoa and Hawaii. GRAV-D is an ongoing initiative to redefine the nationwide vertical datum by 2022. Accurate heights are critical to numerous scientific endeavors but are particularly important for protecting low-lying coastal ecosystems. GRAV-D is driven by the fundamental relationship between Earth's gravity field and height. The project’s goal is to model and monitor Earth's geoid (a surface of the gravity field, approximating global mean sea level) to serve as a reference surface to define precise surface elevations for all locations in the U.S. and its territories.
- Engineering a Better Water Level Sensor NOAA recently developed a new water level sensor that can be installed at water level stations. The Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) has been transitioning its National Water Level Observation Network and Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (PORTS®) stations to sensors with microwave technology since 2010, but when the manufacturer discontinued the original model, the replacement could not be mounted on the stations. CO-OPS engineers stepped in and collaborated with the sensor’s manufacturer to create a new model that would work for NOAA's water level stations. Initial field tests have been successful and CO-OPS plans to install the new, innovative sensors soon.
- Positioning Critical Features on NOAA Ship Pisces National Geodetic Survey personnel from Norfolk, Virginia, completed a sensor and reference mark survey of the NOAA Ship Pisces in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The survey provides a current, precise coordinate system of the ship's infrastructure and sensors, which are critical to successful completion of its missions. Pisces conducts habitat and bathymetric mapping, biological surveys, and fisheries stock assessments. Precise positional information is also important for the ship’s sensors, because Pisces continuously transmits meteorological data to update weather models for a wide range of partners representing various disciplines and endeavors.
- U.S. Delegation to South-West Pacific Hydrographic Commission OCS Director RDML Shepard Smith led the U.S. delegation to the 16th conference of the South-West Pacific Hydrographic Commission (SWPHC) in Alofi, Niue, an island nation east of Tonga. Other members of the U.S. delegation included representatives of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the U.S. Navy. The U.S. has charting responsibilities in the South-West Pacific region and is currently reviewing holdings of bathymetric data for potential application to charts in the region. While it will take time to assess and apply these data holdings, U.S. charts will see substantial improvements in the SWPHC region in coming years.
- Green Infrastructure Trainings in Puerto Rico As Puerto Rico continues to recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane Maria, the U.S territory is striving to make itself more resilient and enhance its overall quality of life by implementing green infrastructure. NOAA's Office for Coastal Management helped municipal officials, FEMA staff, and community members in the municipalities of Rincón and Ponce to work toward this goal by providing them with green infrastructure trainings. Participants brainstormed green infrastructure project ideas and agreed to raise awareness of project opportunities, integrate the topic into school curricula, and continue to build partnerships and funding opportunities for future projects. NOAA worked with Puerto Rico Sea Grant, the Puerto Rico Coastal Zone Management Program, and local FEMA staff to plan the trainings.
- Ecological Assessment of Maryland's Tred Avon River National Ocean Service scientists analyzed effects of land use on the Tred Avon River ecosystem, an important tributary of Maryland's Choptank River in the Chesapeake Bay region. Their assessment of the system shows that, overall, the Tred Avon is in good condition compared to other areas of the Choptank River and the Bay. Signs of degradation, however, were seen in areas with rapid human population growth and urban development. The team's model simulations revealed that oyster aquaculture and reef restoration could alleviate some of the negative impacts. NCCOS's assessment of the river will inform natural resource management efforts that support the needs of a growing human population while protecting the Bay.
- NGS Releases CORS Positioning Upgrade for User Review and Testing The National Geodetic Survey released a significant upgrade to its Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) for user review and testing. CORS provides GPS data to support very accurate 3D positioning, meteorology, space weather, and geophysical applications in the U.S. The upgrade provides improved positional coordinates and velocities. In a few weeks, NGS will replace its current geoid model with one that has improved height data. The geoid is a model of global mean sea level that is used to measure precise surface elevations. Combined with the CORS upgrade, this model will improve understanding of the effects of tectonic movement on local geographic coordinates.
- Students at National Marine Sanctuaries Learn by Doing Gault Elementary School in Santa Cruz, CA, is one of more than 50 schools in the NOAA Ocean Guardian School program. Ocean Guardian Schools protect and conserve local watersheds, the world's ocean, and special ocean areas, like national marine sanctuaries. In a recent effort, Gault students removed non-native plants and planted native dune vegetation, restoring the fragile beach dune ecosystem to its native state and supporting two threatened and endangered species. To date, Ocean Guardian Schools have removed more than 170,000ft2 of invasive plants, planted roughly 117,000ft2 of native plants, and removed more than 123,000 pounds of trash from neighborhoods.
- Navigation Response Team Aids U.S. Coast Guard in Search for Missing Vessel Coast Survey's New London, CT, Navigation Response Team (NRT) is aiding the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) in the search for the F/V Mistress. The Mistress capsized and sank southeast of Block Island, RI, on January 1, 2019. The team is using its multibeam and side scan sonar to help locate the vessel, which is approximately 2.5 miles offshore. In addition to conducting hydrographic surveys to update NOAA's suite of nautical charts, responding to emergencies, and speeding the resumption of shipping after storms, OCS's NRTs respond to requests from the USCG, Captain of the Port, state pilot association, port authority, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for assistance in projects where underwater searches to mitigate risk to life and property are necessary.
- nowCOAST® Offers New Gulf of Maine, Chesapeake Bay Forecast Services nowCOAST® is well known as a GIS-based web mapping service that provides weather and ocean observations, analyses, imagery, and ocean model forecast guidance, along with coastal and marine weather warnings and forecasts. nowCoast now offers two new services: forecast guidance from the operational forecast system for the Gulf of Maine (GoMOFS) and, in Chesapeake Bay, forecasts for Vibrio vulnificus, a marine bacterium that can cause serious infection in people. Users can access high-resolution analyses of, and forecast guidance for, coastal ocean circulation, water levels, temperature, and salinity provided at three-hour intervals out to 48 hours through nowCOAST with GoMOFS. nowCOAST users can also access the two-day Vibrio forecast for Chesapeake Bay daily.
- Long-Term Data Management in the Gulf of Mexico NOAA’s Damage Assessment, Remediation and Restoration Program sponsored the second in a series of workshops on long-term data management in the Gulf of Mexico. The University of New Hampshire’s (UNH) Coastal Response Research Center (CRRC) facilitated the workshop, held in Mobile, AL, which focused on fostering collaboration, data sharing, and data management best practices among groups engaged in restoration efforts following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Approximately 40 scientists and data managers attended, representing federal and state agencies, regional and nongovernmental organizations, and industry. UNH CRRC plans to post workshop materials on its website.
- Report on Regional Needs for Federal Ocean Data The Office for Coastal Management is one step closer to better understanding regional ocean data needs. It contracted with a private-sector firm to study the top federal geospatial data requested by nine regions as well as the coastal and ocean management issues the data supports. The study suggests ways to make federal data more accessible and usable, which will inform interagency leadership discussions addressing regional data needs provided through systems like MarineCadastre.gov, and will also aid implementation of the Administration’s ocean policy. A more detailed investigation of regional technical challenges, budgetary constraints, and capacity to host and maintain data-sharing efforts will follow.
- Mussel Watch Detects Great Lakes Contaminants The Great Lakes supply drinking water to 40 million people and support $7 billion fishery and $52 billion recreational industries. The National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science Mussel Watch Program sampled Great Lakes mussels and detected 99 potentially concerning contaminants, including hormones, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products. Runoff from both urban and agricultural areas carries the contaminants to coastal waters, and new, often poorly understood and unregulated chemicals enter the environment every year. Mussels are ideal indicators of chemical pollution because they tend to collect pollutants from the water they filter, they have limited mobility, and they live throughout U.S. coastal waters.
- Examining the Impacts of Coastal Floods on Stormwater Management The combination of rainfall runoff and coastal flooding translates into more widespread or prolonged inundation than a community would experience from each flooding source alone, which can leave communities unprepared for such scenarios. The new Adapting Stormwater Management for Coastal Floods site, part of NOAA’s Digital Coast, helps communities understand how and when their stormwater systems are likely to be compromised. The site also provides examples from communities who have taken steps to address the issue.
- International Surveying Competition Builds Strong Professional, Cultural Bonds The National Geodetic Survey Testing and Training Center in Woodford, VA, hosted a competition between surveying teams from the U.S. and China. The competition was sponsored by the National Society of Professional Surveyors in partnership with the Beijing Institute of Surveying and Mapping, the Beijing Municipal Federation of Trade Unions, and Trimble, Inc. Two nine-member teams represented their countries in a three-component, day-long field surveying exercise. The competition also included a survey theory exam that was compiled and agreed upon by the Chinese and U.S. delegation leaders. Awards were presented at the end of the competition. Participants from each team agreed that the competition built strong professional and cultural bonds.
- Hurricane-Stricken States, Territories to Receive Marine Debris Cleanup Grants NOAA’s Marine Debris Program announced that it will provide $17.2 million in grants to coastal states and territories impacted by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. The funding will support post-storm surveys and mapping of marine debris accumulation hotspots, and the removal and disposal of vessels, derelict fishing gear and traps, damaged piers and pilings, and other large-scale debris. Cleanups will benefit sensitive habitats including near-shore reefs, mangroves, and protected areas such as National Estuarine Research Reserves in Florida, Texas, and Puerto Rico, and in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
- Coast Survey Leads U.S. Delegation to Meso American - Caribbean Sea Hydrographic Commission The Office of Coast Survey led the U.S. delegation to the Meso American - Caribbean Sea Hydrographic Commission in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. Other members of the U.S. delegation included the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and the U.S. Navy. Coordination among Mesoamerican-Caribbean states and their stakeholders is critical to maintaining and improving the navigation safety that underpins their local economies. The commission discussed capacity building, Seabed 2030, disaster response, and marine spatial data infrastructure. At the conclusion of the meeting, OCS Deputy Director Katie Ries was elected to chair the commission.
- MPA Center Participates in International Meeting NOAA's Marine Protected Areas Center participated in a meeting of the Trans-Atlantic Marine Protected Area Partnership, a project that fosters greater collaboration among MPAs across the Atlantic. The meeting, held in Mallorca, Spain, occurred in conjunction with the Mediterranean Protected Areas Network’s annual assembly and technical workshop. The gathering focused on the role of regional MPA networks in pursuing sustainable financing for MPA management effectiveness, activities, and advocacy.
- OR&R Participates in U.S.-Russian Transboundary Seminar NOS Office of Response and Restoration staff, together with representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard and the State of Alaska, traveled to Sakhalin Island in eastern Russia to participate in the Seminar on Understanding Maritime Pollution Threats and Response Systems in the Russian Federation-United States Transboundary Area. Discussions focused on transboundary pollution threats, national preparedness and response capabilities, and methods for joint responses to potential incidents in the boundary area. The meetings concluded with an international tabletop exercise to test and practice the provisions of the existing Joint Contingency Plan of the United States of America and the Russian Federation on Combating Pollution in the Bering and Chukchi Seas. The exercises tested emergency international notifications and use of OR&R’s Environmental Response Management Application (ERMA®) to facilitate the coordination of emergency response efforts.
- Supporting Coral Reef Conservation, Research, and Restoration Healthy coral reefs provide billions of dollars in food, jobs, recreation, and coastal protection to people around the world. CRCP is leading efforts to study and conserve these resources. In FY 2018, CRCP awarded more than $8.3 million in grants and cooperative agreements to support conservation projects and studies that benefit coral reef ecosystem management in the U.S., Caribbean, and Micronesia. Nearly half of the funds directly support reef conservation projects led by state and territorial resource management agencies. All projects support research to address impacts from the primary threats to coral reefs: climate change, land-based sources of pollution, and unsustainable fishing practices. Grants also fund direct intervention strategies such as coral reef restoration.
- Workshop Promotes Collaboration Across Public, Private Sectors A NOAA-sponsored workshop in Charleston, South Carolina, explored the applications, opportunities, and challenges associated with using web cameras, or webcams, for coastal environmental monitoring. The workshop served as a forum for participants to share their experiences with operating webcams, imagery data management, imagery processing, and data analysis. The Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association led the workshop with a steering team of representatives from NOS, the National Weather Service, Surfline/Wavetrack, Inc., U.S. Geological Survey, and academia. The workshop is a component of the NOS-funded Web Camera Applications Testbed, a public-private partnership that leverages the expertise of Surfline/Wavetrack, Inc. to install and operate webcams to meet the needs of a diverse group of federal and academic users.
- Navigation Response Team Helps Map Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary A Coast Survey navigation response team stationed in Galveston, Texas, teamed up with Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS) and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to conduct two survey cruises onboard the FGBNMS Research Vessel Manta. The team conducted survey operations using NOAA’s mobile integrated survey team equipment, including a multibeam echo sounder that OCS shipped to Galveston and installed on the Manta. This mapping effort and ones like it contribute to the collection of critical data that guides BOEM and NOAA decision-making and provides baseline imagery for future exploration and characterization efforts.
- Experimental Florida Red Tide Forecast Educates Public About Risks of Respiratory Irritation In 2018, southwest Florida experienced the worst red tide in over a decade. Airborne red tide toxins caused respiratory irritation in people and animals. In response, NCCOS and its partners developed a forecast for red tide respiratory irritation risk at beaches in Pinellas County, Florida. People with asthma and chronic lung disease can have severe reactions when exposed to red tide toxins. Pinellas County residents and visitors susceptible to respiratory irritation now have a tool that will help them know their risks before they visit area beaches during red tides. NCCOS and CO-OPS developed the experimental forecast in partnership with the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS), the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission–Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, and Pinellas County Environmental Management. GCOOS hosts the experimental forecast.
- NOAA Offices Collaborate to Survey Hurricane Michael Flooding The Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services and the National Weather Service’s (NWS) Tallahassee, Florida, office collaborated to survey high water mark areas damaged by Hurricane Michael. In order to get the most accurate information, the team used GPS to survey high water marks. In nearby Mexico Beach, Florida, the team found evidence of water as high as 8.8 feet (2.7 meters) above street level near the beach, where entire homes were torn down to the foundations, and waves destroyed beach-facing walls on the second floor of a condominium. In Port St. Joe, Florida, storm surge pushed as far as a quarter mile (.4 kilometers) inland from the marina, where large vessels were pitched on top of one another and onto nearby land. The collaboration between CO-OPS and the NWS Tallahassee office resulted from relationships forged through NOAA’s Gulf of Mexico Regional Collaboration Team.
- "Saving Coral Reefs" Selected as Theme for XPRIZE Competition XPRIZE selected the theme “Saving Coral Reefs” for its next competition. The Saving Coral Reefs XPRIZE will challenge teams from around the world to develop new scalable innovations that will help restore and recover coral reefs globally. Specifically, the prize will challenge teams to combine engineering and biology to achieve reef recovery at a scale that is several orders of magnitude greater, for no more than the cost of traditional methods. NOAA Restoration Center and CRCP staff worked with XPRIZE on the initial idea of a coral restoration prize, gave the XPERT talk at the 2018 conference where the theme was selected, and continued to work with the winning teams to refine the competition, ultimately leading to this potentially game-changing undertaking.
- Natural Infrastructure Trainings for a More Resilient Alaska Alaskan communities face challenges from a changing climate, severe storms, and coastal erosion. To help communities respond, OCM delivered several trainings on the topic of natural, or green, infrastructure to diverse audiences throughout Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. Participants shared ideas for solutions specific to Alaska’s landscapes — including absorbing floodwaters in urban areas and using natural shoreline stabilization techniques to reduce erosion — and left with the goal of promoting natural infrastructure in their communities. The Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve and Alaska Sea Grant were partners in the effort.
- Inaugural Class Completes NOAA Certification in Nautical Cartography Students from the inaugural class of NOAA’s certification program in nautical cartography received their completion certificates for the 2017-2018 session. The program’s six courses take 51 weeks to complete, and certificates are granted to a maximum of 13 cartographers per year. Students learn through a combination of lectures at the University of Maryland and Montgomery College, hands-on chart production experience, work details to OCS, and field trips to working hydrographic survey vessels. The first class began in fall 2017 at OCS headquarters in Silver Spring, MD. The program is recognized and approved by the International Board on Standards of Competence for Hydrographic Surveyors and Nautical Cartographers.
- Promoting Understanding of Deep-sea Habitats in West Coast Sanctuaries NOAA's National Marine Sanctuaries West Coast Regional Office studies and protects remarkably complex and fragile deep-sea habitats in all five West Coast national marine sanctuaries. These communities support more life, and more diverse life, than surrounding deep-sea areas. That’s why the office created a story map to improve awareness of deep-sea coral communities and their importance to the health and biodiversity of national marine sanctuaries along the West Coast. The story map engages diverse audiences, including researchers, nature enthusiasts, educators, citizen scientists, anglers, sanctuary advisory councils, and state and federal agencies.
- NGS Test Facility Supports U.S. Army Corps of Engineers The National Geodetic Survey Testing & Training Center, located near Fredericksburg, VA, hosted a team from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to test the Corps’ navigational buoy transceivers. USACE used the facility’s grounds to mimic water channels in order to better understand how far buoy-mounted transceivers can communicate with each other at varying power levels and heights above water level. The test results will ultimately be shared with the U.S. Coast Guard and NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey.
- International Hydrographic Organization Second Council Meeting Office of Coast Survey Director RDML Shepard Smith chaired the second council meeting of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) in London, England. The U.S. delegation, led by OCS, represents the U.S. as one of 38 member states on the council. Two major tasks for the council this year are to confirm next steps on a new IHO strategic plan, and to begin outlining the production and delivery of nautical products and services using the new hydrographic data model comprised of updated data standards. The council also addressed the role of the hydrographic community in the development of the Seabed 2030 global initiative to bring together all available bathymetric data to produce a definitive map of the world ocean floor by 2030.
- Research Offers Hope for Florida Manatees Affected by Red Tide An NOAA-sponsored project is evaluating the potential for antioxidants to reverse or reduce the effects of harmful algal bloom toxins on marine mammals. The project, led by Florida International University and Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium, will assess whether antioxidant therapy can help manatees being treated in rehabilitation facilities. The project’s overall goal is to improve treatment options and successfully return more manatees to the wild. The threatened Florida manatee inhabits coastal environments where toxic red tide blooms often occur. The red tide toxin causes extensive fish kills as well as sickness and death in sea turtles, birds, and marine mammals, including manatees. Red tides also cause respiratory problems in people.
- Passage of the Save Our Seas Act of 2018 Acting NOAA Administrator RDML (ret.) Tim Gallaudet, PhD, joined President Donald Trump, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, and U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse and Dan Sullivan at a signing ceremony for the Save Our Seas Act of 2018. Title I of the act amends and reauthorizes the Marine Debris Act to FY 2022; promotes international action to reduce marine debris; authorizes cleanup and response actions needed as a result of severe marine debris events such as hurricanes or tsunamis; and updates the membership of the Interagency Marine Debris Coordinating Committee. Additionally, the act requires NOAA to work with other federal agencies to develop outreach and education strategies to identify and remove sources of marine debris.
- NOAA Receives Top Recognition in the Geospatial Field The Urban and Regional Information Systems Association (URISA), one of the country’s oldest and most esteemed GIS professional organizations, inducted NOAA into its 2018 GIS Hall of Fame. The association recognizes people and organizations that have made significant original contributions to the development and application of GIS concepts, tools, or resources, or to the GIS profession as a whole. URISA recognized NOAA as a leader in the federal geospatial community and for its use of GIS technology to help achieve its diverse mission, including sharing geospatial data sets with the public and private sectors.
- Collaborating to Fulfill Agency Missions in West Coast Offshore Area NOAA's Office of Coast Survey and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) completed an interagency ocean mapping project across several large portions of the Cascadia Margin, offshore of California, Oregon, and Washington. The collaboration, conducted aboard NOAA Ship Rainier, resulted in the collection of high- resolution geospatial data to update nautical charts for safe navigation in the region, and provided baseline data for USGS to improve assessment and forecasting of marine geohazards such as faults, tsunamis, and submarine landslides. The project embodies NOAA’s goal to “map once, use many times,” enabling both agencies to efficiently leverage resources and benefit from complementary expertise.
- Webinar Series Connects Teachers to the Ocean Depths The National Marine Sanctuary Webinar Series provides educators with scientific and educational expertise, resources, and training to support ocean and climate literacy in the classroom. The series’ FY18 webinars hosted 929 participants. Post-webinar evaluation data showed that 67 percent of educators plan to integrate webinar materials into their work within the next year; 95 percent are likely to attend a future presentation in the series; and 97 percent are likely to recommend the webinar series to others. The distance-learning opportunities do not require additional travel funds, which helps ONMS reach thousands of teachers worldwide.
- NOAA Participates in Canadian Arctic and Marine Oil Spill Program NOAA staff joined with scientific and technical experts across North America to learn about recent research and development, case histories, and response policy issues at the 41st Arctic and Marine Oil Spill Program (AMOP) Technical Seminar on Environmental Contamination and Response in Victoria, British Columbia . As the leading Canadian conference for scientists and professionals working in the field of oil and hazardous materials spills, AMOP strives to facilitate the transfer of scientific research to the operational community.
- Building Sustainable Marine Tourism in the Coral Triangle The Coral Triangle Marine Protected Areas (MPA) Regional Exchange in Indonesia brought together experts and resource managers to develop a common understanding of sustainable marine tourism. The event was part of ongoing NOAA work with Coral Triangle managers to develop sustainable tourism practices at several MPA sites in the region. The Coral Triangle, located in the western Pacific, is home to nearly 600 coral species and more than 2,000 fish species. The reef system supports the economy of six surrounding countries and helps protect the coast from storms and flooding.
- NCCOS Competitive Research Program FY19 Funding Opportunities The National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science Competitive Research Program announced its FY19 federal funding opportunities (FFOs) in two areas of research: harmful algal blooms (HABs) and the ecological effects of sea level rise (EESLR). Proposals for HAB funding will be accepted for two programs: Monitoring and Event Response for Harmful Algal Blooms (MERHAB) and Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms (ECOHAB). Letters of intent for both HAB programs are due November 5, 2018. The deadline for completed MERHAB applications is January 22, 2019; the deadline for completed ECOHAB applications is February 4, 2019. Letters of intent for EESLR funding are due November 2, 2018. The deadline for completed EESLR applications is January 16, 2019. For details on how to apply for funding, follow the FFO links on the NCCOS web page announcing the funding.
- Scoping Study for New National Spatial Reference System Database The National Geodetic Survey recently completed a scoping study to investigate how to reprocess older survey observations to be compatible with the new National Spatial Reference System (NSRS) database. The study sampled projects that are currently part of the NGS Integrated Database, retrieved the original data, scanned field logs, and attempted to reprocess the data with OPUS-Projects, the latest extension of the NGS Online Positioning User Service (OPUS). The scoping study provided significant insights that NGS can use to develop its new dynamic database.
- NOAA Navigation Industry Day at Annapolis Boat Show Maritime application and navigation system developers met with NOAA experts at NOAA Navigation Industry Day, held in conjunction with Maryland’s Annapolis Boat Show, to learn more about the vast amounts of NOAA data that are available at no cost. Program leaders from the Office of Coast Survey, Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services, National Geodetic Survey, and the National Weather Service explained how NOAA data could add functionality to navigation systems and maritime applications. They demonstrated data sets and new formats not yet in widespread use and requested feedback on ways to improve NOAA products and services. The event showcased the great potential to infuse more NOAA data into commercial navigation products.
- Sanctuary Tracks Movements of ‘Kelp Forest Kings’ Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary installed a telemetry array around Santa Barbara Island, California, and tagged four giant sea bass. Known as the “king of the kelp forest,” the giant sea bass is a top predator whose population has slowly recovered after years of decline. Despite protections, the species faces a number of threats, including poaching. The sanctuary initiated a three-year project to assess the site’s fidelity and study how the bass make use of their habitat over time. Additionally, through partnerships with local researchers, the sanctuary will study the giants’ long-term migrations. The researchers will use both telemetry and photo identification to track individual bass.
- NOAA Partnership Boosts Capacity and Connections Among Coral Reef Managers MPAConnect is a learning network that works to increase the effectiveness of Marine Protected Area (MPA) management by addressing specific capacity needs of individual MPAs through regional peer to peer workshops, site-specific technical support, learning exchanges, and direct grant funding. The latest gathering of the network, held recently in the Caribbean island of Saba, focused on management strategies for sustainable fisheries and the conservation of essential coral reef ecosystems. Priority topics for the region include research, monitoring, and management strategies for reef fish, fish spawning aggregations, lobster, and conch.
- Shad Return to New Jersey River For the first time, sampling crews captured juvenile American shad upstream of the recently removed Weston Mill Dam on the Millstone River in New Jersey. The finding confirms that American shad are accessing upper portions of the river since removal of the dam, a component of a natural resource damage settlement agreement reached by NOAA, co-trustees, and parties potentially responsible for hazardous waste released into the Raritan River. The identification of American shad upriver of the removed dam affirms the importance of dam removals and monitoring to evaluate and document the success of restoration efforts.
- Interactive Map Supports NOAA Sentinel Site Program The National Geodetic Survey created a dynamic web-based map of Surface Elevation Table (SET) sampling stations for the Chesapeake Bay Sentinel Site Cooperative (CBSSC). SETs are portable mechanical devices that yield long-term, precise measurements of surface elevation changes, which prove crucial in the effort to increase our understanding of coastal habitat responses to sea-level changes. This online map makes the CBSSC's SET resources public, allowing users to better understand and respond to the effects of a changing environment.
- Nanobubble Technology Could Help Eliminate Harmful Freshwater Algal Blooms NOAA is working with engineers at Nano Air Bubble Aeration System Technology to develop an environmentally sustainable method to eliminate harmful freshwater algae and their toxins. The method uses nanobubbles, which are smaller than the width of a single human hair. Unlike ordinary bubbles that rise and burst at the surface of the water, nanobubbles implode under the water’s pressure, releasing oxygen and ozone that help dissolve harmful algae. NCCOS scientists validated the method’s efficacy in reducing harmful algae and toxins and are now working to establish application parameters that will ensure wildlife safety.
- NOAA Leads and Informs United Nations Report on the Future of World Heritage Reefs An update to a United Nations (UN) report on climate change and coral reefs — led by NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch — offered some positive conclusions if immediate, significant action on climate change is taken. The report, which focused on 29 UN-designated World Heritage reef sites, concludes that limiting global temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels would prevent annual bleaching projected to occur under a “business-as-usual” scenario this century at all 29 sites. Furthermore, the analysis indicates that only four sites would be exposed to severe, twice-per-decade heat stress. This latest report underscores the importance of achieving global climate goals to secure a sustainable future for these iconic reef systems.
- Coral Rescue Mission on the Florida Reef A devastating multi-year outbreak of disease, affecting half of the hard coral species in Florida, now impacts more than 75 percent of the reef tract, which stretches from the northern reaches in Martin County to the Lower Florida Keys near Key West. With the majority of the reef in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, NOAA plays a lead role in addressing an issue that could have a detrimental effect on the marine ecosystem and the local economy. Recently, NOAA and Florida Fish and Wildlife researchers collected and stored 88 corals, representing 10 species, to serve as a “bank” of healthy corals. The banked corals ensure genetic diversity, which is crucial for successful future restoration efforts.
- NOAA Charts New Hazards to Help Ports Recover After Hurricane Florence While conducting hydrographic surveys after Hurricane Florence, OCS navigation response teams and physical science staff aboard NOAA Ship Ferdinand R. Hassler found many underwater obstructions. Four obstructions found in the Cape Fear River channel were deemed dangers to navigation. While these hazards remained in place when the port re-opened, NOAA updated its charts and distributed them to the port, U.S. Coast Guard, and key stakeholders, allowing large vessels to safely navigate into port. OCS published its updated charts less than 24 hours after the survey, an unprecedented accomplishment.
- Marine Debris Program Announces 2019 Funding Opportunity for Research Projects The Marine Debris Program’s Marine Debris Research federal funding opportunity is part of a nationwide, competitive funding program supporting efforts to address the pervasive global problem of marine debris. Research projects funded through the competition will explore the ecological risks associated with marine debris, determine debris exposure levels, examine the fate and transport of marine debris in nearshore coastal environments, and quantify habitat impacts resulting from marine debris. Projects may address one or more of these research priorities and should be original, hypothesis-driven projects not previously addressed to scientific standards. The proposal submission period is from September 17-December 14, 2018. Awards will be announced in summer, 2019.
- Coordinating Hydrographic Activity Among Arctic Member States Office of Coast Survey Director RDML Shepard Smith attended the Eighth Conference of the Arctic Regional Hydrographic Commission in Longyearbyen at Svalbard, Norway, to coordinate hydrographic activity among member states—Canada, Denmark, Norway, Russia, and the United States—in the Arctic region. The meeting focused on international charting considerations, crowdsource bathymetry, and marine spatial data infrastructure and policy. The International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) encourages the establishment of Regional Hydrographic Commissions (RHCs) to coordinate hydrographic activity at the regional level. The RHCs are made up of IHO member states and other regional states that meet at regular intervals to discuss the resolution of mutual hydrographic and chart production problems, plan joint survey operations, and resolve schemes for medium- and large-scale international chart coverage.
- NOAA, U.S. Coast Guard Sign Interagency Agreement on ERMA NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration signed a multi-year Interagency Agreement with the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) to “standardize the use of NOAA’s Environmental Response Management Application (ERMA®) as the Common Operating Picture for USCG-led training, exercises, oil spill responses, and releases of hazardous substances, pollutants, and contaminants.” The agreement provides a formal framework for policy decisions and use of ERMA to support USCG activities. OR&R expects that the agreement will further ERMA’s use across a wide variety of environmental response and assessment activities by NOAA and its partner agencies. The agreement supplements the existing Memorandum of Understanding between NOAA and the USCG that allows the Federal On-Scene Coordinator to fund the NOAA Scientific Support Coordinator and ERMA as part of any emergency response incident.
- Research Results Aim to Unify Global Height Systems NGS scientists shared research results at the Gravity, Geoid, and Height Systems International Symposium in Copenhagen, Denmark. The research seeks to answer two questions in order to establish a standardized International Height Reference System: (1) How well do geoids computed from various theories and methods agree in a region of extreme terrain? and (2) To what accuracy can a geoid be computed in such a region? An accurate, long-term, stable reference frame is essential for global monitoring to detect environmental trends such as changes in sea level and ice caps, continental drift, and crustal deformations, as well as to monitor deformations in large structures such as bridges, harbors, and oil rigs.
- New Sponge Species Discovered in Monterey Bay A joint NOAA-Ocean Exploration Trust research cruise discovered two new sponge species living on the wreck of the USS Independence in the northwest section of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Scientists from the California Academy of Sciences and the Royal British Columbia Museum named the sponges Staurocalyptus pamelaturnerae and Hyalascus farallonensis. A third sponge also found on the wreck, Farrea schulzei, had not been described since the late 1800s and was newly described. Its range of occurrence also got an update. Characterization of species’ habitats in a national marine sanctuary helps to effectively manage resources.
- Collaborating for Military Readiness, Marine Resource Protection Collaboration and communication are key to achieving homeland security, military readiness, and marine resource protection. Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary works with the U.S. Department of Defense, Air National Guard, and Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center in Alpena, MI, to provide areas for military exercises. The sanctuary, in turn, receives multibeam sonar mapping surveys created during the exercises. The goal of the partnership is to limit impacts to sanctuary resources and identify ways to modify exercise logistics and operations to increase efficiency and decrease impacts without sacrificing military readiness.
- Assisting Alaskan Tribe in Response to Harmful Algal Bloom NOAA gave funding to the Sitka Tribe of Alaska Environmental Research Lab (STEARL) for expanded monitoring and toxin testing of an active bloom of the marine alga Pseudo-nitzschia in Sitka's coastal waters. The funding will equip STAERL and partners with test kits and filter supplies for comprehensive, rapid screening across Southeast Alaska Tribal Ocean Research subsistence harvesting sites. In Alaska, commercially harvested shellfish sold in stores and restaurants meet federal state toxin testing requirements and are safe to eat. However, there is no routine state-run algal toxin testing of shellfish harvested for recreation, subsistence, or ceremonial use. Some species of the alga produce a potent neurotoxin that can accumulate in shellfish that feed on the alga, causing amnesic shellfish poisoning in people who eat the tainted shellfish.
- OR&R and Partners Study Floating Oil in Gulf of Mexico The Office of Response and Restoration partnered with WaterMapping®, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Florida State University, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, and the U.S. Coast Guard to learn more about how floating oil moves and weathers in the Gulf of Mexico. The scientists traveled to a site in the Gulf near a damaged oil platform where oil continuously surfaces from the sea bottom at a depth of 450 feet. The team collected samples, deployed biodegradable drifters, and used satellites to track the oil's movement on the surface. The study could have broader application for oil spills in other locations.
- CORS Sites Upgraded in the Great Lakes Region Two NOAA offices updated communications and power systems at four Continuously Operating Reference Station (CORS) sites co-located with water-level stations in the Great Lakes region. A common, accurate, and well-defined height reference datum for water levels is essential for coordinated international management across the Great Lakes. Since the region is prone to postglacial uplift, understanding height and water-level changes over time is crucial for safe navigation and other activities.
- Florida Coastal Managers Learn to Communicate About Hazards Understanding how and why people respond to risk helps coastal managers motivate citizens to prepare and act when bad weather strikes. To help Florida’s coastal community leaders sharpen their preparedness skills, NOAA's Office for Coastal Management recently led a Building Risk Communication Skills workshop hosted by the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council, University of South Florida, and Florida Sea Grant. Workshop participants from local and county governments, universities, and nonprofits practiced applying proven communication techniques with confidence and understanding when faced with coastal hazards.
- A Busy Season for Hawaiian Islands Disentanglement Network The Hawaiian Islands Disentanglement Network, coordinated by Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, seeks to free large whales from life-threatening entanglements and to learn how to reduce future threats. This season, the network received 39 reports of entangled whales, the highest number of confirmed reports in the 16 years since the network began. Twenty-one response efforts resulted in the successful removal of gear from six entangled animals. The team also responded to a distressed juvenile whale shark in sanctuary waters. Since its inception, the network has freed more than 30 large whales from life-threatening entanglements and removed more than 11,500 feet of measurable line and netting. The sanctuary coordinates entanglement response efforts in Hawaii and provides assistance worldwide.
- Preparing for Survey Operations Post-Hurricane Lane As Hurricane Lane approached the Hawaiian Islands, OCS pre-staged personnel and hydrographic survey assets to help speed the resumption of shipping following the storm. NOAA’s mobile integrated survey team (MIST) traveled to Oahu with a new multibeam echo sounder kit, adding to the traditional arsenal of side-scan and single-beam sonars. The new capability allowed the MIST to provide high-resolution depth information throughout the Honolulu Channel following the storm. NOAA’s Northwest and Pacific Islands regional navigation manager was embedded in the U.S. Coast Guard’s (USCG) Incident Command Center and worked with USCG District 14, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the Hawaii Department of Transportation Harbors Division to help prioritize port surveys and provide information on the readiness of NOAA’s survey assets.
- NOAA Provides $19.2K for Florida Red Tide Monitoring NOAA awarded $19,200 to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) and Mote Marine Laboratory to enhance their continued efforts to provide vital insight into changes in the severity, duration, and location of the ongoing red tide along Florida’s southwest coast. The bloom of the alga Karenia brevis is taking an increasing toll on marine wildlife and impacting the tourism and shellfish industries. The FWRI and Mote will conduct weekly one-day sampling efforts along a four-station transect line from 3–30 miles offshore in the impacted area near Boca Grande Pass. Funds will be used to supplement the oceanographic survey activities with nutrient and biotoxin analyses. NOAA funding should support four weeks of enhanced sampling.
- Web Portal Provides Information on Coral Disease Outbreak in Florida Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary launched a web portal for information on the coral disease outbreak that in recent years has impacted more than half of the 65 stony coral species on the Florida Reef Tract. The outbreak poses a threat to the sensitive Florida Keys marine ecosystem and the local economy. NOAA and the State of Florida brought together experts to document the outbreak, identify its causes, understand how the disease spreads, and identify and develop treatments that may slow or stop its proliferation. The portal is the primary location for public information about the outbreak, and includes ways for citizens to participate.
- Refined Data Helps Improve Hazard Resilience in Washington Partners involved in Washington’s Coastal Resilience Project recently released refined sea level rise projections for 171 coastal locations in the state by incorporating local parameters such as unique, tectonically driven land motion into existing published projections. The OCM-funded project is a three-year effort to rapidly increase the state’s resilience and capacity to prepare for natural hazards, including sea level rise. Communities are using the refined projections to assess their exposure and to work toward increased resilience. Users can download the most appropriate projections for their location, apply the findings in a cost-benefit context, and facilitate their community’s risk management and planning. Project leaders are also developing related restoration guidance and tools for projecting extreme coastal water levels associated with storms.
- Funding for 23 New Marine Debris Prevention and Removal Projects The NOAA Marine Debris Program announced 23 recipients of its 2018 prevention and removal grant awards totaling approximately $2.5 million in federal funds. Federal funding is matched by nonfederal contributions for each project, bringing the total investment in the projects to $5.5 million. The awards will support efforts to address the pervasive national and global problem of marine debris and its impacts on wildlife, navigation safety, human health, and the economy.
- GRAV-D Data Collection Completed for Mainland Alaska National Geodetic Survey completed airborne gravity data collection over mainland Alaska, part of the Gravity for the Redefinition of the American Vertical Datum (GRAV-D) project. Collecting gravity data in Alaska presents many technical, logistical, and weather-related challenges, and the achievement is the culmination of many years of surveying. The data collected will help improve mapping applications in Alaska, particularly for elevation and height information. GRAV-D plans on returning to Alaska in FY20 to complete surveys of the Aleutian Islands. GRAV-D is estimated to provide more than $4.8 billion in socioeconomic benefits to the United States through improved floodplain mapping, coastal resource management, construction, agriculture, and emergency evacuation planning.
- NOAA Ship Fairweather Tests Unmanned Surface Vehicle in the Arctic NOAA Ship Fairweather launched the first unmanned surface vehicle (USV) for an operational hydrographic survey from a NOAA vessel in the Arctic. Personnel from OCS and scientists from the University of New Hampshire Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping/Joint Hydrographic Center tested the USV, which is larger, faster, and longer-lasting than NOAA’s other USVs. OCS will use the data to contribute to Fairweather’s Point Hope survey project. Autonomous survey systems are rapidly advancing, and developing the technology and procedures for their use are key pieces of OCS’s autonomous systems strategy.
- Socioeconomic Research Training in Micronesia NOAA social scientists provided training and technical support to coastal practitioners in Micronesia to help them better understand the socioeconomic side of conservation management and build the region’s capacity for socioeconomic monitoring. Participants now have the social science data needed to update their conservation management plans, enabling a more holistic examination of coral reef ecosystems.
- U.S. IOOS® Releases Updated Model Viewer U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System and a private industry partner released a new version of the IOOS Model Viewer, now with higher-resolution data visualizations, improved layout and utility, and new oceanographic model data covering areas of the Pacific Ocean, the Columbia River in Washington, and the Southeast Atlantic. The viewer gives users access to integrated models in a map-based environment that allows them to compare models from IOOS Regional Associations, their partners, federal groups within NOAA, and the Navy, all in one place. Observations from buoy and shore stations are also provided for comparison. Users are encouraged to provide feedback via a button in the viewer.
- Expanded Protection for Gulf of Mexico’s Pulley Ridge Habitat NOAA-sponsored research led to expansion of the Pulley Ridge Habitat Area of Particular Concern (HAPC) off Florida’s southwest coast. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council added 21 new sites totaling 484 square miles (1,254 square kilometers) to the HAPC to safeguard coral hot spots and restrict damaging fishing gear. The expansion includes a new coral area that has the densest and most extensive area of plate corals known in the Gulf of Mexico. Scientists discovered the new coral area as part of an NCCOS-funded study on the role that reefs 75 to 270 feet (23 to 83 meters) deep play in replenishing commercially important fish species in the shallower downstream reefs of the Florida Keys.
- ‘Get Into Your Sanctuary’ Hosts Military Veterans NOAA Sanctuaries hosted its fourth national "Get into Your Sanctuary" celebration to raise awareness about the value of ocean parks as iconic destinations for responsible recreation. Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary kicked off special events for the campaign by hosting veterans on NOAA vessels. Approximately 50 veterans from Santa Barbara and Monterey Bay participated in a day of wildlife watching, marine science, and learning about the natural, maritime, and cultural aspects of national marine sanctuaries. U.S. Representatives from California Salud Carbajal and Jimmy Panetta, both distinguished veterans, joined the cruises in their communities.
- NGS Releases Annual Experimental Geoid Models The National Geodetic Survey released its 2018 experimental geoid models, xGEOID18A and xGEOID18B. A geoid is a reference surface. It defines zero elevation, providing the foundation for measuring precise heights. Accurate heights are critical to numerous scientific endeavors, including understanding and protecting low-lying coastal ecosystems. The xGEOIDs provide a preliminary, but increasingly accurate, view of the changes expected from the scheduled 2022 release of a new geopotential datum. This year, both geoid models expand coverage beyond previous ones, extending from the equator to the North Pole and including the areas around American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
- South Alabama Flood Engagement Team Fosters Information Sharing, Outreach Communities in coastal Alabama regularly experience flooding from storms and heavy rains. In an effort to increase the region’s capacity to improve data and information sharing, response, and outreach when flooding occurs, the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources worked with partners to create the South Alabama Flood Engagement Team. The team includes several dozen regional floodplain managers and was funded through the Coastal Zone Management Act.
- Collaborating on Oil Toxicity Research As part of an effort to collaborate and use NOS resources efficiently, scientists from NOAA met to discuss ongoing collaborative research, including oil toxicity testing methods; oil toxicity to corals, fish, and shrimp; photo-induced oil toxicity; and sampling equipment decontamination. The collaborators also spent time developing research ideas for future work that will enhance NOAA's abilities to respond to and assess injuries from oil spills.
- Settlement Proposed to Resolve Oil Spill Claims The U.S. Department of Justice proposed a Consent Decree to settle natural resource damage claims from a 2016 oil spill that released nearly 2,000 barrels of oil into the Gulf of Mexico. Under the proposal, Shell Offshore, Inc., will pay $3.625 million for restoration projects. The proposal also provides $182,196.16 to reimburse NOAA for damage assessment costs. NOAA and co-trustees are scoping restoration projects. The public comment period is open through August 13, 2018.
- Improving Access to the National Spatial Reference System The National Geodetic Survey updated the NGS Coordinate Conversion and Transformation Tool, improving access to the National Spatial Reference System and fostering efficient use of NGS positioning products. This one-stop tool makes it convenient to convert and transform geographic coordinates for a variety of geospatial applications. It is available both as a web service and to download for offline processing.
- NOAA and Partners Explore Puerto Rican Reef Habitats Scientists onboard the NOAA Ship Nancy Foster recently completed NCCOS’s 14th year of field research funded by the Coral Reef Conservation Program. The ongoing project studies fish and seafloor habitats in the U.S. and Caribbean to support resource management decisions in the region’s communities. This year, the target area included previously unexplored canyons southwest of Ponce, Puerto Rico. The team mapped 350 km2 of seafloor and measured fish distribution and size.
- Announcing NOAA Navigation News NOAA Navigation News, a new quarterly newsletter, will keep stakeholders such as port pilots, harbormasters, and other groups invested in safe and efficient navigation apprised of NOAA’s marine navigation services by accessing one convenient resource. The joint newsletter will highlight marine navigation projects and tools from both offices, as well as relevant news from the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) and the National Geodetic Survey. The first issue features PORTS® that came online this year, a new crowdsourced bathymetry database, an ongoing current survey in South Texas, and the launch of a custom chart tool.
- Sanctuaries Study the Sounds of the Sea National marine sanctuaries as living laboratories are remarkable places to examine the communities that lie within the ocean depths. Studies led by Massachusetts’s Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary recorded approximately 200 hours of data to examine the vocal development of mother-calf pairs and juvenile humpback whales in Gulf of Maine waters. Acoustic records of dolphins were also detected, but only during night hours, suggesting an overlap in habitat use. On the West Coast, as part of the ONMS Sanctuary Soundscape initiative, California’s Channel Island National Marine Sanctuary is developing a collaborative, comprehensive passive acoustic monitoring network. The most recent work took place in the controlled environment in Long Beach’s Aquarium of the Pacific, where researchers could focus on recording the behaviors and associated sounds of adult sea bass. The documented sounds will be compared to sounds recorded within the sanctuary to learn more about this important fish species.
- NOAA Ship Rainier Surveys Port of Everett, Washington The crew of NOAA Ship Rainier conducted surveys to update nautical charts around the Port of Everett, WA, and its approaches to Possession Sound. The collected data will support military traffic transiting to and from Naval Base Kitsap, the Mukilteo/Clinton ferry route, commercial and tribal fishing, and recreational boating in the area. In addition to updating depth data, the Rainier survey team updated chart symbology found on the area’s paper and electronic navigational charts.
- Sharing Advances in Drone Research OR&R participated in the biannual West Coast Joint Assessment Team (JAT) meeting, which fosters coordination and cooperation among oil industry representatives, federal and state natural resource trustee representatives, and spill responders. Chevron and OR&R presented findings on their collaborative research on drones and discussed a number of platforms and sensors tested from 2014 to the present. The presentation focused on both response and Natural Resource Damage Assessment (NRDA) applications. It also outlined technological advances that identify oil on water and quickly provide imagery to an incident command post via a common operating picture, such as OR&R’s Environmental Response Management Application (ERMA).
- State and Regional Trends in Ocean and Great Lakes Economies Coastal states and regions provide significant contributions to the country’s economy. Based on the most recent Economics: National Ocean Watch (ENOW) data, the annual NOAA Report on the U.S. Ocean and Great Lakes Economy: Regional and State Profiles provides insight into their valuable role. As an example, the Mid-Atlantic region accounted for 23.8 percent of employment in the ocean economy, while the Gulf of Mexico was the lead producer of gross domestic product at $125 billion. Other notable statistics include the fact that Hawaii’s economy depends on ocean-related employment more than any other region (18.2 percent), and the West Coast accounted for almost one-third of gross domestic product in marine transportation.
- Research Reserve Builds Awareness, Inspires Change Across Borders The watershed in the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, which straddles southern California and Mexico, is severely impacted by sediment, trash, and King Tides. The reserve worked with stakeholders in both countries to launch the Baja King Tides Project to build awareness and inspire change. The project recently partnered with the Secretariat for Environmental Protection for the State of Baja California, Mexico, to hold a photo exhibition. The photos, taken by members of participating communities, demonstrate King Tide impacts on infrastructure, habitats, and people; help people visualize flood risks and sea level rise impacts; and serve as a record and a driving force for community members, government agencies, planners, and scientists.
- Enhancing Navigation Safety in Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach NOS recently installed an air gap sensor at the Port of Los Angeles/Long Beach to provide vessel pilots with real-time information on how much clearance they have to safely navigate under the Vincent Thomas Bridge. The sensor is part of the Los Angeles/Long Beach Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (PORTS®), which provides accurate real-time information about environmental conditions at the seaport, helping mariners and port operators avoid accidents and safely continue the flow of commerce in and out of the port. CO-OPS installed the sensor in partnership with the Port Authority and the California Department of Transportation.
- NOAA-Funded Research Results in Protected Habitat Expansion A NOAA-funded study led to the expansion of the Pulley Ridge Habitat Area of Particular Concern through approval of Coral Amendment 9 by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council. The increased area of protection includes the coral area discovered by the study in 2014, which contains the densest and most extensive area of plate corals known in the Gulf of Mexico. The study is led by the University of Miami and funded by NCCOS and the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research in partnership with the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Regional Office, and Gulf of Mexico Regional Collaboration Team.
- NOAA Leadership Highlights Benefits of Ocean Recreation NOAA Sanctuaries recently represented ocean recreation at the predominantly land-focused 2018 Partners Outdoors Annual Conference in Washington, DC, where RDML Tim Gallaudet, PhD, USN Ret., Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, and NOS Assistant Administrator Russell Callender moderated panel discussions about the economic benefits and opportunities of ocean recreation. Conference attendees also had the chance to explore the ocean depths through Sanctuary Virtual Dives. This is the first time in more than 20 years that the conference had such high-level participation from NOAA, and illustrated the connection among NOAA products, services, and the outdoor recreation sector.
- Online Story Map Highlights Marine Protected Areas ONMS released an online story map that highlights recreational opportunities in marine protected areas (MPAs) across the nation by encouraging people to “Make the Most of the Coast.” The story map illustrates some of the diverse recreational activities in MPAs, highlights a range of MPA sites and programs, and offers tips on where to find MPAs, how to visit responsibly, and how to get involved in initiatives that promote ocean conservation. MPAs play a critical role in the preservation of marine resources. They are also hubs for a wide range of recreational activities that allow people of all ages to connect with the sea.
- NOAA Surveys Lake Champlain for Improved Flood Modeling, Mitigation Strategies At the request of the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL), OCS deployed a survey team and autonomous survey vehicle (ASV) to gather hydrographic data in Vermont’s Lake Champlain basin. The new ASV is OCS’s first to be equipped with multibeam sonar—the same type of sonar that larger NOAA survey vessels use to gather high resolution hydrographic data. Prior to the survey, much of the hydrographic data for Lake Champlain was dated and sparse. Updated and detailed data will allow GLERL to complete hydrodynamic models and develop flood mitigation strategies for the region.
- Volunteer Efforts Spearhead Major Recovery for Puerto Rico Reserve Hurricane Maria devastated the habitats, trails, and facilities of the Jobos Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, one of Puerto Rico’s largest and most important estuaries. In response, the nonprofit National Estuarine Research Reserve Association generated significant financial and volunteer support, making it possible for staff from across the reserve system and NOAA to travel to Puerto Rico and provide hands-on assistance. These efforts, along with those of volunteers from Mars Hill University in North Carolina and a local corporation in San Juan, resulted in more than 3,000 volunteer hours worth more than $70,000. As a result, all of Jobos Bay’s trails were restored to pre-hurricane conditions. Trails are now open to the public for visitors to explore and learn about the reserve.
- Partnership Aims to Explore and Understand Marine Hotspots Scientists from NOAA and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute are collaborating on a Marine Biodiversity Network (MBON) project that explores ecosystem hotspots by using long-range autonomous underwater vehicles (also known as gliders) to collect eDNA—DNA from environmental samples. Data from the project will provide insight into the functions and roles of marine hotspots to support effective planning and management of marine resources. The samples gathered from the project are compared to ones gathered by traditional means to assess glider sampling. Collaborations like this are opportunities for NOAA to leverage expertise, technologies, and budget alongside those of nonfederal entities to benefit both parties while advancing research capabilities. IOOS provides national coordination for the MBON program and supports the management of glider data.
- NOAA Announces Launch of Crowdsourced Bathymetry Database Bathymetric data from citizen scientists and crowdsourced programs are now available to the public through an International Hydrographic Organization Data Viewer. The database contains more than 117 million points of depth data, which hydrographers and cartographers may use to improve knowledge of the seafloor and chart products. NOAA and George Mason University are using the depth data to assess nautical chart adequacy, determine when areas require updated survey information, and identify chart discrepancies before an incident occurs.
- NOAA Scientists Address Oil Spill Preparedness, Share Best Practices An important part of the natural resource damage assessment process is NOAA’s immediate response to pollution that threatens marine resources and coastal habitats. In an effort to improve how NOAA scientists collect data to determine if natural resources have been damaged, and how best to assess that damage, OR&R staff gathered in Silver Spring, Maryland, to share oil spill assessment strategies. The meeting focused on time-sensitive data collection, leveraging NOAA-wide assets, and recent science updates.
- Sanctuaries Names Volunteer of the Year NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries recognized Captain Will Benson as Volunteer of the Year at the Capitol Hill Ocean Week awards gala. Captain Benson led the creation of the Blue Star Fishing Guide program, which recognizes fishing charter operators committed to conservation and education. Every day, passionate people make contributions to protect and conserve America's underwater treasures. In 2017 alone, national marine sanctuary volunteers contributed more than work 130,000 hours. Volunteers get involved to help make underwater parks available for future generations to enjoy.
- NOAA Restores Reefs in Puerto Rico Puerto Rico’s coral reefs sustained significant damage as a result of Hurricane Maria in 2017 and a winter storm in 2018. OCM and NCCOS staff joined forces with NOAA Fisheries to evaluate and repair the damage. The multifaceted effort involved assessing 80,000 corals over 414,354 square miles at 153 sites. Through these efforts, and with the help of FEMA funds, more than 7,000 coral fragments were salvaged and reattached to promote regrowth of the reefs. Coral reefs are critical to the territory’s tourism and seafood industries and provide invaluable ecosystem services—protecting lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure.
- Supporting Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Boundary Expansion NCCOS developed a biogeographic assessment and a geospatial decision support tool to help inform Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary’s proposed boundary expansion. The team analyzed 14 years of data to produce the assessment, including a deep-sea data set with 20,000 direct observations of ecologically significant corals in the geospatial tool. The Sanctuary Advisory Council’s Boundary Expansion Working Group used the NCCOS products to develop boundary recommendations for 14 proposed new management areas. The working group is comprised of stakeholders representing commercial and recreational fishing, oil and gas, research, and conservation. Last month, the council approved the working group’s proposal and forwarded the recommendations to ONMS for further action.
- Waterway Receives ‘Improved Quality Classification’ from NOAA NOAA assigned an improved quality classification to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) bathymetric survey data for a portion of Delaware Bay—the first USACE-surveyed waterway in the U.S. to be recognized as such. Upgrading how NOAA encodes USACE channel depth data reduces additional safety margins applied to the draft of large ships during transit and berthing operations. Every foot of draft represents a significant dollar amount in the shipping industry, so the upgraded classification allows operators to maximize their loads while ensuring that maritime navigation approaches remain safe.
- Course Brings ‘The People Side’ to Coastal Management Social science methods bring the “people side” of things—their economic, cultural, and social values—into coastal management. Recognizing the need to build these skills among coastal managers, OCM developed  "Social Science Basics for Coastal Managers," a course that offers foundational concepts in the social sciences. Participants also learn methods and best practices for writing effective survey questions, conducting interviews, and planning and administering focus groups. The course can be customized for specific needs and audiences.
- New PORTS Makes Corpus Christi Seaport Safer for Navigation The seaport of Corpus Christi, Texas, received a new Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (PORTS) declared fully operational by CO-OPS. Strong currents in Corpus Christi Bay make it extremely difficult for vessels to navigate through channels into the Port of Corpus Christi. The Port Authority requested a PORTS with current meters to provide pilots with the information they need to safely reach the seaport. PORTS information enables port and vessel operators to optimize cargo loads and transit schedules for available water depth and other environmental conditions. Just one additional inch of usable draft can translate into millions of dollars of additional cargo per vessel transit.
- Planning for Modernization of the National Spatial Reference System The National Geodetic Survey hosted a workshop with commercial equipment and software representatives to gauge their needs and concerns regarding modernization of the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS) in 2022. The workshop facilitated an exchange of information between NGS technical experts and their industry counterparts. Collaboration between NGS and commercial firms is important because many end users use the NSRS in commercially available software packages. NGS will share information about the topics discussed and preliminary outcomes from the workshop in a webinar scheduled for June 7.
- Story Map Highlights Contributions of Pacific Islanders, Asian Americans The Office of National Marine Sanctuaries launched a story map that celebrates the contributions and achievements of Pacific Islanders and Asian Americans to our ocean, maritime traditions, and national marine sanctuary communities. This is the third installment of ONMS’s 2018 Heritage of the Blue project, which commemorates the seven recognized heritage months. Themes on the story map include “Bestowing Stewardship,” “Defending the Nation,” “Inspiring Future Leaders,” and “Celebrating Life.”
- Georgia Officials, Managers Discuss Storm Resilience Strategies For the first time, the Georgia Coastal Management Program (CMP) brought together more than 50 elected officials and managers from all of the state’s coastal jurisdictions to discuss a range of strategies designed to enhance storm resilience. The Georgia Beach Resilience Summit , planned with assistance from OCM, featured presentations from scientists, federal and state regulators, and neighboring state officials. The Georgia CMP highlighted its progressive work on beach resilience. Officials participated in a mapping activity designed to pinpoint vulnerabilities and potential shoreline enhancement strategies. Participants left more informed about their options and expressed interest in continuing the discussion.
- Improving Access to Data for Marine Navigation Systems Coast Survey is producing NOAA Operational Forecast System (OFS) data in formats that are easily ingested by marine navigation systems, making data access more convenient for those who need to make critical decisions on the water. An OFS is a national network of operational nowcast and forecast models that can be used for search and rescue, recreational boating, fishing, and storm tracking. The data can also optimize route planning for commercial ships. Model forecast data will ultimately be available for machine-to-machine exchange, with data files small enough to enable delivery from shore to vessel over existing communication and data networks.
- Identifying Data Gaps for Deep-Sea Ecosystems Deep-sea coral and sponge ecosystems are found throughout the combined 15,300 square miles of seafloor across five national marine sanctuaries located along the U.S. West Coast. The deep-water ecosystems are vulnerable to activities that disturb the ocean floor. A recent meeting hosted by the NOAA Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program coordinated experts, including sanctuary scientists, to identify needs and data gaps related to these habitats. The communities that depend on these areas will benefit from coastal managers’ improved understanding of the role that deep-sea corals and sponges play in supporting other valuable living resources.
- Houston Students Learn About Navigation Response, Maritime Industry NOAA’s Western Gulf Coast Navigation Manager and Navigation Response Team (NRT) participated in the Maritime & Logistics Youth Expo 2018 in Houston, TX. With the NRT’s vessel as a backdrop, approximately 450 middle and high school students came to learn about emergency response and surveying. The annual expo aims to educate local youth about the maritime and logistics industry. OCS’s mobile NRTs conduct hydrographic surveys to update NOAA’s suite of nautical charts. The teams are strategically located around the country and remain on call to respond to emergencies, speeding the resumption of shipping after storms and protecting life and property from underwater hazards.
- NOAA Evaluates Coastal Mapping Capabilities of Drones NOAA and partners tested the capability of drone technologies to map the coastline and nearshore waters of St. Croix, USVI.  Several agencies need land elevation and water depth data to inform management decisions about the coastal zone. Many nearshore areas, however, are difficult to access or are remotely located, making them challenging and expensive to map with existing technologies. Photographs acquired by drones offer a potentially inexpensive and accurate way to fill this data gap at spatial resolutions that far exceed traditional methods. Data collected during testing will contribute to the development of standard operating procedures for drone mapping across NOAA. The project is funded by NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and includes partners from government, academia, and industry.
- NOAA Participates in Puget Sound Spill Response Exercise NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration participated in a spill response exercise at the U.S. Navy’s Manchester Fuel Depot in Puget Sound, WA. The drill simulated a release of 750,000 gallons of jet propulsion fuel into the waters of the sound. OR&R joined the Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and state, local, and tribal officials to test the region’s response capabilities. Routine exercises like these enhance the community’s spill response planning and preparedness.
- NOAA Chart Updated for Port of New York and New Jersey Coast Survey recently released updates for two NOAA electronic navigational charts (NOAA ENC®) in the Port of New York and New Jersey, adding a permanent grid system overlay to local anchorages. The overlays will increase safety and efficiency in the port’s limited anchorage space. The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Sector New York’s Vessel Traffic Service will now be able to clearly direct a vessel to a specific grid location, and that vessel will be able to see the location on its ENC. OCS performed the update at the request of the Harbor Operations Steering Committee and collaborated with USGS and the Sandy Hook Pilots Association to complete the update.
- Public Comments Sought for State Plane Coordinate System A Federal Register Notice (FRN) invites public comment on draft policy and procedure documents for the State Plane Coordinate System of 2022 (SPCS2022) by August 31, 2018. The goal is to ensure that SPCS2022 is technically correct, consistently defined, and meets the needs of NGS customers. The FRN documents propose SPCS2022 characteristics and the process for contributing to their development. It also seeks input on whether additional “special-purpose” zones should be part of SPCS2022. The zones are intended to provide contiguous and appropriate coverage, especially in areas that are split across two or more zones. The State Plane Coordinate System supports surveying, engineering, and mapping activities throughout the United States and its territories.
- Results of New Study Could Guide Management of Invasive Lionfish NOAA researchers published the most comprehensive lionfish diet assessment to date in the journal Biological Invasions. The information could guide future research, monitoring, and management of efforts to minimize the impacts of the invasive Indo-Pacific lionfish. Researchers analyzed more than 8,000 lionfish stomachs collected from 10 locations, including Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, to provide a general description of lionfish feeding, ecology, and diet. Lionfish populations in the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean are a serious threat to coral reefs, with potential long-term negative consequences for native fish communities, habitats, and ecosystems.
- NOAA and U.S Geological Survey Host Gulf Coast Workshop NOAA and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) recently gathered data users from across the Gulf of Mexico for a workshop to discuss monitoring and mapping needs, applications, gaps, and priorities. Ideas from the workshop will contribute to the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council’s monitoring and assessment project and will enhance mapping plans for the Gulf of Mexico Alliance. Workshop participants also learned about a new Monitoring Community of Practice being established in the region.
- Kid-Friendly Tool Demonstrates Role Estuaries Play in Water Filtration Helping students and teachers understand the valuable role estuaries play in our daily lives is an important component of the National Estuarine Research Reserve System's mission. OCM created a new animation, "Estuaries: Nature's Water Filters," to engage and educate kids by demonstrating, in a fun way, how estuaries clean water as it flows from land to sea. The animation also features an interactive pollution game, which helps students understand what can cause decreased water quality and how their actions impact the health of estuaries. The reserve education coordinators will use this animation as a supplement to lessons in the Estuaries 101 curriculum, in presentations, and in exhibits.
- Guam Leaders and Locals Unite in Coral Conservation During this third International Year of the Reef, Guam officials recently also declared it the Guam Year of the Reef, pledging additional support for marine conservation in recognition of the countless ways reefs are critical to the island and its citizens. Tourism accounts for 60 percent of this tropical U.S. territory's business revenue, and at least $56 million pours into Guam's economy annually from scuba diving—all of which would be lost without corals. The year-long celebration, which will feature beach cleanups, festivals, and multiple training and educational events, aims to bring the importance of coral reefs to the forefront of leaders' and locals' minds. NOAA's CRCP was a founding member of the Year of the Reef Initiative.
- NOAA Broadcasts Live Exploration of Deep-sea Habitats in Gulf of Mexico Last week, scientists began a 23-day mission aboard NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer to collect baseline information on poorly understood deep-sea habitats in the Gulf of Mexico. The team is collecting data on areas identified by ocean management and scientific communities as priority exploration areas. Most of the gulf's deep waters are unexplored, but past explorations revealed a variety of habitats, including deep-sea coral gardens, submarine canyons, gas and oil seeps, mud volcanoes, and submerged cultural heritage sites. The telepresence-enabled expedition uses remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to survey deepwater areas and broadcast high-definition video in real-time over the internet. NCCOS staff are co-leading the expedition's science activities and are providing live commentary of all ROV dives, scheduled to occur daily from April 12 to May 2. Follow the expedition by watching the live video feeds or visiting the expedition's website.
- CO-OPS Field Team Repairs Visibility Sensor After Ship Strike The Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Service's Gulf Coast Field Team repaired the Pinto Island visibility station in Mobile Bay, part of the Mobile, Alabama Physical Oceanographic Real Time System (PORTS®). The team speedily installed a new bulkhead mount with minimal data interruption. The new mount is built to better withstand future ship strikes. PORTS like the one in Mobile help make maritime transportation safer and more efficient by integrating real-time environmental data (water levels, tides, currents, waves, salinity, bridge air gap) and meteorological parameters (winds, atmospheric pressure, air and water temperatures) with forecasts and other geospatial information, tailoring the output to the needs of local communities.
- Streamlining Information Sharing during Oil Spills The Office of Response and Restoration's ERMA® and ResponseLink developers are integrating the two systems in anticipation of a potential oil spill or other sudden pollution event. The password-protected ResponseLink website is an internal site developed by OR&R to share information during pollution response operations within NOAA and between federal, state, and local partners. ERMA, also developed by OR&R, is an online mapping tool that provides environmental resource managers, spill response teams, and natural resource damage assessment personnel with spatial data and analyses to inform decision making.
- Cyclone Damages Corals in American Samoa An assessment of damage wrought by Category 2 Cyclone Gita in the National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa showed that Fagatele Bay sustained damage mostly to table and branching Acropora corals, which are susceptible to large wave action and marine debris propelled by cyclone-induced waves. The eastern part of Fagatele Bay felt the worst effects, with areas showing an estimated 20 percent damage to coral colonies. Other coral colonies sustained little to no damage.
- Fast Chart Update for a Busy Florida Port NOAA Coast Survey used its NOAA ENC® (Electronic Navigational Charts) system to quickly update essential chart information to accurately reflect the 225-foot expansion of a slip (the portion of a pier where a boat is berthed or moored) in Port Everglades, FL. Port Everglades is one of the top three cruise ports in the world and every slip there is heavily used. OCS used discrete shoreline snippets of the target areas, provided by NGS’s Remote Sensing Division, to ensure a quick turnaround of the corrected charts, which OCS made readily available to the port.
- Living Shorelines Help Clams Thrive in Chesapeake Bay A National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science-funded study tracking the effects of living shoreline construction in the Chesapeake Bay showed that this approach increased the number and size of clams in the areas studied within two years. Human population growth and sea-level rise increase the need to protect coastal property from shoreline erosion. Living shorelines make use of plants and natural materials, instead of retaining walls, to stabilize marshland, but while they are increasingly popular with homeowners, their effects are not well understood. Studies like this one help improve coastal and resource management decision making.
- Collaborating on West Coast Benthic Habitat Efforts Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary and other national marine sanctuaries work with the broader scientific community to ensure that the most effective and rigorous science is utilized to address resource needs. A new collaborative effort between NOAA, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, U.S. Geological Survey, Monterey Bay Research Institute, and the Expanding Pacific Research and Exploration of Submerged Systems (EXPRESS) focuses on shared interests and needs for benthic habitat studies along the West Coast. The partners overlap in their focus of supporting the sustainable use of living marine resources while assessing and managing coastal hazards and offshore energy. Collaborative efforts are essential to supporting the competing needs of ocean resources and the communities that depend on them.
- 'CZMA 101' Educates New Coastal Program Managers New Office for Coastal Management staff members often encounter a steep learning curve, particularly when it comes to understanding Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) funding. OCM’s Coastal Zone Management Act 101 training provides new employees with resources and information by helping them understand CZMA funding and preparing them to manage cooperative agreements. The recent addition of a third training module, “Funding and Cooperative Agreements,” includes examples of funded projects, interactive games and quizzes, quick references, checklists, and a worksheet.
- NOAA Co-hosts Sixth International Marine Debris Conference NOAA’s Marine Debris Program and the United Nations Environment Programme co-hosted the Sixth International Marine Debris Conference in San Diego. The event brought together more than 700 participants from over 50 countries to assess progress made since the last conference , and to strategize ways to minimize the impacts of marine debris going forward. Conference participants attended several plenary sessions and panels, and more than 70 technical sessions featuring 400 oral presentations and 180 posters. Attendees also contributed to Zero Waste initiatives (a philosophy that encourages the redesign of resource life cycles so that all products are reused) throughout the event. As a result, the conference prevented the use of more than 3,000 plastic water bottles, diverted nearly four tons of waste from a landfill, and composted nearly 3.5 tons of food waste.
- NGS and Canadian Counterparts Foster LIDAR Integration Over the last decade, LIDAR sensor enhancements increased the use of bathymetric LIDAR in a variety of applications. As a result, the quantity of bathymetric LIDAR data increased substantially. However, fully integrating LIDAR data into products meeting standard accuracy requirements remains a significant challenge. At the 2018 Joint Canadian Hydrographic and National Surveyors‘ Conference in Victoria, British Columbia, National Geodetic Survey and the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) presented an approach for LIDAR data users to integrate their bathymetric data. CHS and NGS personnel are planning a future meeting to further discuss ways to address current LIDAR challenges.
- Marine Protected Areas Featured in U.S. Coast Guard Journal The Spring 2018 issue of the U.S. Coast Guard (USGC) journal Proceedings showcased the benefits, challenges, and opportunities of marine protected areas (MPAs). Contributors discussed various aspects of MPAs, including national marine sanctuaries and marine national monuments, as well as the ins and outs of monitoring human use of these areas and enforcing federal laws. The issue featured NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and MPA Center, among others. The journal has a diverse audience that includes more than 30,000 members of the maritime industry, scientists, and NGOs.
- Four Algal Toxins Found in San Francisco Bay Mussels According to a NOAA-funded project published in the journal Harmful Algae, 99 percent of mussels that University of California-Santa Cruz researchers collected in San Francisco Bay were contaminated with at least one algal toxin, and 37 percent contained four. Contaminated mussels pose a serious health threat to people and animals who eat them. Although San Francisco Bay lacks commercial shellfish operations, people still harvest and eat mussels from the Bay. While commercially harvested shellfish are generally safe because they undergo regular testing, two of the toxins found in the mussels from San Francisco Bay are not routinely monitored in California shellfish.
- State Plane Coordinate System Report and Training Materials The State Plane Coordinate System (SPCS) is a system of large-scale map projections created in the 1930s to support surveying, engineering, and mapping activities throughout the U.S. and its territories. As part of its modernization of the National Spatial Reference System in 2022, NGS will adopt a new SPCS. To aid in the transition, NGS published a special report, The State Plane Coordinate System: History, Policy, and Future Directions (PDF), that provides context for SPCS 2022. Additionally, NGS created a collection of web pages to help users learn how the SPCS will change in 2022 and how to use it. Finally, NGS launched a series of educational webinars to inform stakeholders of the reference system changes and how they can get information when using the SPCS in the future.
- Navigation Response Team 5 Locates Sunken Vessel off Maine Coast NOAA Coast Survey's Navigation Response Team (NRT) 5 responded to a request from the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) to locate a tugboat, the T/V Captain Mackintire, which recently sank off the coast of Maine. The USCG requested assistance due to the potential environmental hazard posed by an unknown amount of fuel remaining on the tugboat. With hazardous weather conditions brought by the nor’easter headed toward the Maine coast, NRT 5 immediately began survey operations. Within 15 minutes, the team located the tugboat.
- Lower Ship Speeds Protect Whales and Habitat in California Sanctuaries The Port of Los Angeles recently recognized 11 shipping companies that voluntarily reduced ship speeds within and near national marine sanctuaries in California. Through non-regulatory cooperation between agencies and industry, vessels slowed to 12 knots or less during 143 trips through coastal channels. The voluntary incentive program, which ran from July 1–November 15, 2017, improved air quality—cutting more than 80 tons of smog-forming emissions—reduced ocean noise, and protected whales from lethal ship strikes.
- West Coast Managers Gain Critical Planning Skills Because the U.S. West Coast faces rising seas and tsunami threats, coastal managers in the region benefit from flood mapping and planning training. To address this, NOAA's Office for Coastal Management led a series of training sessions at national estuarine research reserves in California, Washington, and Oregon. Through hands-on exercises and lectures, course participants learned how to use elevation and tidal data to visualize storm surge, high tide flooding, sea level rise, and tsunami scenarios, allowing them to prepare for a host of potential impacts in their regions.
- International Water Level Network As a global leader in water level observations, NOAA's tides and currents office recently shared its technical expertise with the West African water level network MARINEMET. The World Meteorological Organization manages MARINEMET, which provides a variety of water level and meteorological sensors to 10 field stations in four African nations. The network recently experienced poor performance due to issues related to field system maintenance, sensor integration, field power, and real-time telemetry, among other challenges. CO-OPS shared several recommendations for addressing the network’s issues.
- Documenting Conditions in Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary The Office of Response and Restoration and the NOAA Fisheries Restoration Center assisted ONMS in conducting intertidal surveys at Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary off the coast of San Francisco. The survey team established new long-term monitoring stations to document the ecological abundance and health of marine algae, sea grasses, and intertidal animals such as mussels, sea anemones, and sea stars. While the surveys are coordinated with existing coastal monitoring efforts, the sanctuary is implementing new protocols and additional stations to identify and catalog shoreline resources for several purposes, including determining baseline conditions in the event of an oil spill.
- A New Format for Electronic Navigational Charts Coast Survey recently released its 1:12,000 electronic navigational chart (NOAA ENC®) of Massachusetts’s Merrimack River in the Raster Navigational Chart Tile Service format. The tile service renders a traditional depiction of the nautical chart for use with GPS-enabled electronic chart systems or other “chart plotter” display systems to provide real-time vessel positioning for recreational mariners. This version of the Merrimack River chart retains the look of a NOAA paper chart but is derived from the ENC charting database, giving users the opportunity to use ENC-only data with a traditional NOAA chart feel. The chart is included in single and quilted chart tile sets in both online and offline versions. This is the first time a navigational chart created solely as an ENC product is included in the tile service, though NOAA intends to incorporate all future charts that are produced only as ENCs into the service.
- Acoustic Monitoring Reveals Hurricane Impact on Puerto Rico Reefs Passive listening devices called hydrophones placed on Puerto Rico’s coral reefs recorded how marine life was disturbed during Hurricane Maria. The hydrophones recorded the “soundscape” before, during, and after the September 2017 Category 4 hurricane, revealing a decrease in fish choruses and snapping shrimp activity during and in the days following the storm. NCCOS scientists and partners installed the hydrophones at three sites off Puerto Rico’s southwest coast in early 2017 to demonstrate how sound can be used to understand environmental disturbances and assess ecosystem health. The use of this low-cost technology could help NOAA expand its capacity for long-term environmental monitoring and assessment. The researchers gave a presentation on their findings at the recent 2018 Ocean Sciences Meeting in Portland, OR.
- Concluding Hurricane Maria Response in U.S. Virgin Islands Office of Response and Restoration personnel salvaged the last marine vessel from the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI), concluding operations for Hurricane Maria response there. Responders conducted pollution mitigation, displaced vessel salvage, and orphan container recovery operations across nearshore waters and shorelines of St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. The response addressed pollution mitigation for, and the salvage or recovery of, 473 displaced vessels and 3,977 orphaned containers, propane cylinders, marine batteries, and other hazardous materials. OR&R and the NOAA Fisheries Restoration Center also relocated approximately 400 coral colonies as part of the response (the effort did not impact endangered sea turtles or other endangered species). In total, NOAA contributed more than 2,000 hours of collective on-scene support.
- Symposium on 2016 Flower Garden Banks Mortality Event Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, in partnership with U.S. IOOS and the Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System, hosted a symposium in Galveston, TX, to further investigate the 2016 mortality event that occurred at East Flower Garden Bank. The event killed corals, sponges, crustaceans, mollusks, echinoderms, and other invertebrates in a localized area of the bank. Scientists who first responded to the event, and who represent a wide range of disciplines, attended the gathering. Principal investigators gave presentations on their hypotheses regarding the causes of the mortality event and on response activities. The symposium reinforced the need for enhanced and sustained observations in and around the sanctuary to support forecasting, analysis, and mitigation of future events. NOAA’s Deep Sea Coral Research and Technology Program helped facilitate the event, and NOS helped fund it.
- Streamlining Nautical Chart Updates of USACE Projects Up-to-date nautical charts are essential for providing mariners with accurate water depths and precise locations of structures at sea. One of the important ways that NOAA receives chart updates is through voluntary reporting of projects permitted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). To improve project status reporting, Coast Survey updated the Permit/Public Notice and Artificial Reef/Aquaculture forms. Modernized with semi-automated reset, attach, submit, and save buttons, fillable fields, and featuring the latest PDF viewer/editor software, the revised forms clarify the important information necessary to keep charts accurately updated.
- National Geodetic Survey Launches its Latest Online Educational Video NGS recently published its latest educational video geared toward surveying, mapping, and remote sensing professionals. The short video, Geodetic Control in Land Surveying: Active vs. Passive, is an example of NGS’s commitment to providing educational resources pertaining to the National Spatial Reference System, as well as information about other products and services. NGS, in partnership with The COMET® Program—a worldwide leader in support of education and training for the environmental sciences—has developed a library of videos on geodesy and mapping topics, all of which are available to view or download.
- Sanctuaries Web Portal Reaches Out to Spanish-Speaking Community ONMS launched a Spanish-language web portal called ¡Bienvenidos a los Santuarios Marinos Nacionales! (“Welcome to the National Marine Sanctuary System!”), expanding opportunities for engagement to a new audience that makes important economic contributions to fisheries and the ocean economy. Spanish is a predominant language in many communities, businesses, and collaborating agencies that operate and recreate in national marine sanctuaries. The portal contains translated information about NOAA's national marine sanctuary system, programs, partners, and marine conservation and education activities, as well as information about the National Marine Protected Areas Center.
- Office for Coastal Management Recognized with LIDAR Leader Award The International LIDAR Mapping Forum, a network of industry experts, awarded OCM second place in the Outstanding Team Achievement category of its LIDAR Leader Awards, recognizing OCM as being at the forefront of LIDAR distribution and a leader in the field. OCM spearheaded LIDAR data distribution from the earliest days of the technology, providing an inventory of collections and distributing the data in an efficient, user-friendly way. Today, OCM works to make data from a host of agencies and groups freely and publicly available through the Digital Coast, which maximizes the value of LIDAR collections and the cost-effectiveness of the technology.
- Sanctuaries Celebrate African Americans’ Contributions to Maritime Culture ONMS launched a story map celebrating the contributions that African Americans have made to the ocean, maritime traditions, and communities. The map shares stories of indomitable individuals, extraordinary acts of courage, and enduring traditions that represent part of the larger African American maritime tradition that helped build and shape the nation. The story map is the first of ONMS’s Heritage Months 2018 projects, a year-long program to honor the nation’s diverse maritime communities, cultures, and voices. Each of seven recognized heritage months will feature special online content and social media. ONMS also launched the new Heritage of the Blue website, home to multicultural content such as feature articles, story maps, staff profiles, and videos.
- Training Modules Foster Improved Fisheries Governance in the Philippines The Philippines face degraded ocean resources and illegal fishing, both of which are connected to the area’s equally challenging socioeconomics. The Ecosystems Approach to Fisheries Management balances environmental and socioeconomic concerns through improved fisheries governance. With help from CRCP, the Philippines Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources introduced online training modules to support planning and implementation of the ecosystems approach to fisheries governance. Through the training, an array of stakeholders, including local government officials and fishing communities, can discover the benefits of a holistic approach to fisheries management, balancing ecological health and human well-being through good governance.
- New Storm Surge and Tide Forecast System for Micronesia OCS, local forecasting offices, and the National Weather Service Environmental Modeling Center collaborated to launch Micronesia’s new Extratropical Storm Surge and Tide Operational Forecast System (ESTOFS). ESTOFS-Micronesia will provide critical information about storm surge and tidal water levels. Micronesia’s lack of local water level observations is dramatic, and domain-wide tide and surge forecast guidance is much needed. ESTOFS-Micronesia covers Palau, Guam, the Marianas Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Wake Island—a territory that is home to more than half a million people as well as major U.S. Naval and Air Force bases. Initial implementation provides an unstructured model grid with resolution up to 200 meters at the coast, and upland nodes up to the 10-meter elevation contour to enable coastal inundation guidance.
- ‘Fire Whirls’ to Remediate Oil on Water OR&R Director Dave Westerholm and senior OR&R staff visited the University of Maryland to hear Elaine Oran, PHD, present research on the use of fire whirls (commonly known as fire devils) to remediate oil on water. Fire whirls are a relatively clean burning technique with higher combustion efficiency and reduced emissions, particularly of soot. Fire whirls’ soot-free characteristic inspired their potential use as a more efficient solution for oil spill remediation. Researchers in Dr. Oran’s lab are studying the potential to create fire whirls in the field, characterize the burning rate, quantify emissions and burn residues, understand the limitations of their use, and evaluate their use as an oil spill remediation tool.
- Report Documents State of U.S. Deep-Sea Corals and Sponges A new NOAA report provides the most comprehensive inventory of deep-sea corals in U.S. waters, including descriptions of 62 new species discovered since the last time the inventory was published in 2007. The report serves as a baseline for management of these fragile deep-sea ecosystems, which are increasingly subject to pressure from the fishing, oil, gas, and mining industries. The report details coral and sponge taxonomy, distributions, and habitats, as well as the effects of human activities on the species, including coral damage assessments and management responses following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Since the last inventory, researchers found new deep-sea coral “gardens” in every U.S. region, including Alaska, with data suggesting that these areas provide habitats for fisheries of national and international importance. Coral and sponge ecosystems, both shallow- and deep-water, also contain a variety of novel compounds with medicinal potential.
- MarineCadastre.gov Recognized for Outstanding Contributions The MarineCadastre.gov team received the Federal Geographic Data Committee’s prestigious 2017 Doug D. Nebert National Spatial Data Infrastructure Champion of the Year Award. The award honors a respected colleague, technical visionary, and recognized leader in the field. MarineCadastre.gov, a partnership between NOAA and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, is one of the largest U.S. providers of marine spatial data, and works continuously with partners to ensure that the data are the best available. The website continues to support Mr. Nebert’s legacy by providing data and tools that address critical needs, from energy infrastructure planning to public hazard exposure and navigation safety.
- National Marine Sanctuary and National Park Collaborate at Channel Islands The Channel Islands Biosphere Reserve, situated west of Los Angeles, represents one of the last examples of natural Mediterranean ecosystems in North America and some of the few remaining natural Southern California coastal ecosystems. Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary and Channel Islands National Park monitor programs across their closely connected land and ocean ecosystems. Together, they conducted monitoring of seabird populations, intertidal areas, and kelp forests at Anacapa Island. They assessed breeding efforts and locations for the Scripp’s Murrelet seabird and discovered a new breeding location for the Ashy Storm Petrel seabird. They also conducted distribution surveys of the newly invasive algal species Undaria pinnatifida, and genetic fingerprinting and documentation. The collaboration across federal agencies of staff, vessels, and divers generated data needed to understand and manage this internationally significant area.
- NOAA Leadership Practices for National Preparedness Exercise OR&R’s Disaster Preparedness Program supported NOS leadership at this year’s first NOAA Pre-Eagle Horizon 2018 Leadership Tabletop Exercise in College Park, MD. The exercise provided a forum for NOAA leadership across line offices to discuss issues related to the NOAA Continuity of Operations Plan, which details a response posture to maintain mission-essential functions in the event of a catastrophic event impacting the National Capital Region (DC Metro Area). The second preparatory tabletop exercise is scheduled for March 15, 2018. The tabletop exercises lead up to NOAA's full-scale Eagle Horizon 2018 exercise in early May, which is part of FEMA's National Level Exercise program.
- NOAA Participates in U.S./Japan Cooperative Program in Natural Resources OCS Director RDML Shepard Smith and other OCS representatives attended the US/Japan Cooperative Program in Natural Resources (UJNR) Sea Bottom Surveys Panel in Honolulu. They reported on OCS activities related to autonomous systems, standards, disaster response, and data visualization. The UJNR was established in 1964 by the bilateral Committee on Trade and Economic Affairs, headed by the U.S. Secretary of State and Japan's Foreign Minister. The program provides a continuing forum to promote the development and conservation of natural resources through cooperation in applied science and technology; improve the environment for present and future generations; and increase and enhance the bonds of friendship between the two nations.
- Hudson River Research Reserve Informs Better Shoreline Management Nature-based shoreline stabilization and restoration techniques maintain and strengthen important ecological services and coastal resilience. To better understand and share nature-based techniques most likely to reduce risk, the Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve collaborated with multiple New York state agencies and outside technical experts to develop new guidance, titled Using Natural Measures to Reduce Risk in New York State. The findings will be published on the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation website.
- Bringing Innovative Approaches to Coral Reef Resilience A growing body of scientific literature focuses on novel interventions with the potential to enhance the recovery and resilience of coral reefs threatened by climate change. Earlier this year, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine appointed a committee to conduct a study that will evaluate these interventions, their potential benefits, and any associated risks. Sponsored by NOAA and led by some of the sharpest minds in coral reef science, the study will also yield recommendations on the most promising paths forward. The committee hosted the first of four public meetings to solicit input. Public interaction will play an important role in this effort to enhance coral resilience. Scientists, managers, and concerned citizens are encouraged to participate and share their opinions, research, field observations, and other testimony.
- Blue Carbon Information Network Established for the Gulf Coast The Gulf Coast's National Estuarine Research Reserves, in partnership with Restore America's Estuaries, established an information-sharing network focused on the loss of coastal wetlands. The network provides critical information to coastal officials about the greenhouse gas implications of coastal management decisions, and the ways in which blue carbon can be used as a conservation tool. The region continues to lose coastal wetlands at an alarming rate, negatively impacting water quality, shoreline stability, and habitat protection. Wetlands capture and store carbon—known as blue carbon—and when they are destroyed, harmful emissions are released back into the atmosphere. Resources, including informational webinars, are available online.
- Reducing the Risk of Small-Vessel Accidents in Tampa Bay OCS's Navigation Response Team 2 (NRT2) and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) conducted a survey of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in Tampa Bay, FL, to determine an alternate passage under the bridge for smaller boat traffic. Vessel traffic in the area is naturally restrictive and has been the site of major accidents in the past. A LIDAR system was installed on NRT2 to collect 3D data of the bridge supports, and bathymetry techniques were employed to assess protective structures above the waterline. OCS and USCG are currently creating a nautical chart to show what the route would look like with alternate passage scenarios.
- Toxic Cyanobacteria Blooms Impair Mussel Growth in Lake Erie A study conducted by NCCOS and the U.S. Geological Survey indicates that measured concentrations of cyanobacteria and one of the toxins that the bacteria produce, microcystin, impaired mussel growth in Lake Erie. Microcystin was shown to have a larger negative effect on mussel growth than cyanobacteria. Lake Erie supports commercial fisheries that rely, in part, on mussels in the lake as a food source. After being absent for most of the late 1980s and 1990s, cyanobacteria have again become seasonally prevalent in western Lake Erie, causing concern that cyanobacteria blooms and associated cyanotoxins could reduce mussel production and, ultimately, have negative effects on fishery production.
- NGS Supports CO-OPS's Use of Global Navigation Satellite System NGS and CO-OPS met regarding the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) and its use in documenting the position of tide gauges. The meeting had particular significance for engineering applications as they pertain to tidal datums. NGS provided information on topics including its Online Positioning User Service (OPUS), data processing, and data management. The processing and analysis of continuous GNSS data is new to CO-OPS. As CO-OPS transitions to using GNSS technology as its primary means for vertical control, both program offices will leverage their partners to support the development of new methodologies for analyzing vertical control at water level stations.
- NOAA and USGS Collaborate on 3D Nation Elevation Requirements and Benefits Study NOAA and the U.S. Geological Survey are partnering on the 3D Nation Elevation Requirements and Benefits Study in conjunction with the Interagency Working Group on Ocean and Coastal Mapping (IWG-OCM) and the 3D Elevation Program (3DEP). This study will gather information on the availability, consistency, and value of 3D elevation data for the United States and its territories. Building on the 2012 National Enhanced Elevation Assessment, the study will focus on inland river, coastal, nearshore, and ocean elevations (bathymetry), in addition to future terrestrial elevation data needs (topography). Performed under contract by Dewberry, the study will document agency business uses, data requirements, and associated benefits of 3D elevation data. Federal mapping agencies will use this information to more effectively meet multiple federal, state, and other national business uses for elevation data.
- NOAA Ocean Guardian Schools Tackle Environmental Threats to Their Local Watersheds NOAA Ocean Guardian Schools started 2018 off on the right foot by making progress on stewardship projects that positively impact their local watershed or ocean. In Port Townsend, Washington, Blue Heron Middle School students met with ONMS staff to share their plans to plant native species that will help protect and restore local salmon habitats. First graders from Oppe Elementary, an aspiring Ocean Guardian School in Galveston, Texas, learned about the polluting effects of trash. The students created their own “national marine sanctuary” inside of the classroom, sorted trash within the “sanctuary,” and discussed the potential hazards that each type of trash they collected could pose to marine life. Activities like these instill youth with a conservation ethic that will increase the sustainability of our economy, fisheries, and the ocean.
- NOAA and Federal Partners Release Comprehensive Mitigation Investment Strategy The Government Accountability Office has requested a strategy to implement and coordinate “mitigation investments,” which are defined as risk management actions taken to avoid, reduce, or transfer risks from natural hazards, including severe weather. As part of the federal Mitigation Framework Leadership Group, NOAA helped design the first draft of the recently released National Mitigation Investment Strategy. This strategy, which is currently available for public comment, is meant to help prioritize and coordinate natural disaster mitigation investments across the government, private sector, and non-profits. The strategy also demonstrates the potentially high return that investing in mitigation strategies can yield. For example, the strategy cites a report showing that the U.S. saves six dollars in future disaster costs for every dollar spent on mitigation.
- CO-OPS Helps Detect Alaskan Tsunami Three CO-OPS tsunami-ready water level stations observed a small tsunami wave as a result of the 7.9 magnitude earthquake that occurred in the Gulf of Alaska. These coastal tide stations, which operate on all U.S. coasts in support of tsunami warnings, are part of CO-OPS’s National Water Level Observation Network. They comprise a critical component of NOAA’s effective tsunami warning system. Raw Water Level Data is accessed via satellite transmission directly by Tsunami Warning Centers, and the information is accessible at the 1-Min Water Level Tsunami Data page. The page is a valuable resource for impacted coastal communities, and provides real-time access to water level data.
- Promoting Responsible Coral Reef Etiquette in the Florida Keys Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation established the Blue Star Program to recognize dive and snorkel businesses that promote responsible and sustainable practices. The 25 businesses that voluntarily participate in the program train their staffs on the importance of coral reef ecosystems, diving and snorkeling etiquette, and sanctuary rules and regulations. The operators, in turn, conduct on-board educational briefings with clients about coral reef ecosystems and how to practice responsible reef etiquette. Clients who dive with Blue Star operators are 2.5 times less likely to impact the reef as compared to those who dive with other operators. Proprietors acknowledge that a healthy reef attracts visitors, and that reef-friendly business practices are part of the solution to protecting the Keys’ natural and cultural resources.
- Introducing New Gulf of Maine Operational Forecast System CO-OPS and OCS worked in partnership to unveil a new Gulf of Maine coastal conditions forecast system. The new operational forecast system (OFS) provides users with forecast guidance on water levels, currents, water temperature, and salinity. The model forecasts conditions out to 72 hours, which promotes safe navigation by helping mariners better plan their transits and preventing accidents. The information can also be used for coastal management, ecosystem restoration and protection, harmful algal bloom forecasting, and emergency response. The model is the result of more than three years of collaborative development, testing, and operational implementation between OCS and CO-OPS, and expands the coverage of coastal and Great Lakes OFSs across the nation. Implemented in ports, harbors, estuaries, Great Lakes, and coastal waters, these systems form a nationwide structure for real-time data, tidal predictions, data management, and operational modeling.
- NOAA Supports Tribal Effort to Remove Abandoned and Derelict Vessels The Makah Tribe of Washington successfully removed three abandoned and derelict vessels (ADVs) from the Makah Marina in Neah Bay. The wooden-hulled fishing boats were deteriorating into a debris field and contaminating a larger area of the marina. The removal eliminated the threat to navigation posed by the sunken vessels in the busy marina, and mitigated further harm to the local environment. The marine salvage firm Pacific Pile and Marine was contracted to remove the vessels, while tribal staff experienced in vessel removal provided oversight, coordination, and project management. A NOAA Marine Debris Program (MDP) Community-based Marine Debris Removal Grant made the effort possible. MDP created an ADV fact sheet to inform people about this global problem.
- A Global Perspective on Declining Oxygen in the World Ocean An international team of scientists, funded in part by NCCOS, published an article in the January 2018 issue of the journal Science that is the first to take a global perspective on the causes of, consequences of, and solutions for low oxygen in the oceans. Since 1950, ocean areas with no dissolved oxygen have increased fourfold, and areas with low oxygen have increased tenfold. The team recommends three strategies to tackle the problem: address the causes (nutrient pollution and climate change); protect vulnerable marine life; and improve low-oxygen tracking worldwide. As proof that local action can have a positive effect, the researchers point to the ongoing recovery of Chesapeake Bay, where nitrogen pollution has dropped 24 percent since its peak due to better sewage treatment and improved farming practices. While some low-oxygen zones persist, the no-oxygen portion of the bay has almost disappeared.
- NOAA Leads Rescue of Humpback Whale in Hawaii In late December, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary led a multi-agency, community-based effort to free an adult humpback whale from a life-threatening entanglement. Responders worked to free the marine mammal over the course of more than three hours. Rescuers removed more than 340 feet of heavy gauge line from the whale, including 55 feet of line in its mouth. The gear will be analyzed to help officials determine where it came from and how to reduce the threat of future entanglements. The sanctuary and its partners have freed 24 large whales over the past 14 years, and, in the process, removed more than 10,000 feet of derelict fishing line.
- NCCOS and The Nature Conservancy Create New Living Shorelines App Scientists from NCCOS’s Beaufort Laboratory recently teamed up with The Nature Conservancy to create a new Living Shorelines app. This tool provides coastal communities in North Carolina access to the best available science and accurate local data for erosion and other coastal hazards. The app will allow communities to visualize their risks, while also examining where conservation and restoration activities can be utilized to increase resilience and reduce risk. The app is an expansion of the Conservancy’s Coastal Resilience tool, which has been in development since 2007.
- Leaders Convene to Further Coral Reef Conservation The International Coral Reef Initiative, a partnership between nations and organizations striving to preserve global coral reefs and related ecosystems around the world, recently convened for its 32nd General Meeting. The initiative’s actions have played a pivotal role in highlighting the importance of coral reefs and related ecosystems to environmental sustainability, food security, and social and cultural well-being. At the meeting, held in Nairobi, Kenya, CRCP and the U.S. Department of State joined more than 70 delegates from 20 member countries and organizations to discuss significant coral-related issues. Highlights included renewed support for the Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, 2018 International Year of the Reef efforts, support for investments in natural infrastructure in reefs and mangroves, and recommendations to reduce damages from dredging and dumping on reefs.
- West Coast Regional Planning Body Annual Meeting The West Coast Regional Planning Body, a partnership between federal agencies, federally recognized tribes, and the states of Washington, Oregon, and California, is an important forum for supporting effective coastal and ocean-related decisions for the region. The planning body, co-led by OCM and the Bureau of Ocean Energy Planning, held its annual meeting in December 2017, with an agenda focused on reviewing the past year’s work, updating attendees on current efforts, and setting priorities for the year ahead. NOAA’s lead for the Northeast Ocean Plan also shared lessons learned, underscoring the mission of fostering cross-governmental relationships among members. An array of meeting materials can be found on the Regional Planning Body’s website.
- NOAA Cooperative Partnership Completes Ocean Mapping Mission The Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping (CCOM)/Joint Hydrographic Center (JHC), a cooperative partnership between the University of New Hampshire and NOAA, completed a 37-day ocean mapping mission to the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument in the Northwest Hawaiian Islands and adjacent waters southwest of Necker Island (Mokumanamana). In collaboration with the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, the mission aboard the UNOLS research vessel RV Kilo Moana supported the U.S. Extended Continental Shelf Project. The mapping data collected from this project will help establish whether the U.S. has an extended continental shelf in this area, and if so, what the limits of that extended shelf might be. The survey will also provide new high resolution data for the nautical charts, in many areas replacing soundings and depth contours based solely on sparse track-line soundings. The survey has covered 8,100 lineal nautical miles of sounding line and 40,050 square nautical miles of full bottom coverage multi-beam mapping.
- Digital Coast Partners to Host NOAA Fellows In 2018, Digital Coast Partnership organizations can join state coastal management programs as they vie for a coastal management fellow during the annual competition. The two-year fellows help host organizations complete projects aligned with NOAA priorities, and the students get unparalleled on-the- job education and experience. For the first time in the program’s 22-year history, the nonprofits that make up the Digital Coast Partnership were integrated in the matching process with state programs. As a result, in addition to the six state coastal programs hosting a fellow in 2018, there are three Digital Coast Partnership participants: the Coastal States Organization, the National States Geographic Information Council, and the National Association of Counties. State program hosts for 2018 include the California Coastal Commission and the coastal programs in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, and Washington. Learn more about the Coastal Management Fellowship and projects.
- NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries’ Recreational Fishing Summit Last year, NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and NOAA Fisheries jointly held their inaugural National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council Recreational Fishing Summit. This collaborative effort planted the seeds for long-term dialogue and enhanced effective engagement with the nation’s recreational fishing constituency, as represented by their respective sites’ advisory councils. At the end of the summit, NOAA and advisory council representatives agreed to a set of common statements related to recreational fishing in national marine sanctuaries, and outlined steps for working together to achieve those goals. Recently, this group reconvened to discuss the steps they’ve taken to achieve the goals and priorities established at the summit, such as enhanced communication and engagement opportunities, increased recreation fishing communities’ contribution to and understanding of sanctuary science, and expansion of recreational fishing programs. New and enhanced collaborations include the initiation of recreational fishing-focused working groups at several sites, outreach products highlighting recreational fishing opportunities in national marine sanctuaries, and distribution of fish descending devices at barotrauma workshops.
- Settlement for Natural Resource Damages at the Sheboygan River and Harbor Superfund Site On December 12, The U.S. Department of Justice issued a press release announcing three settlements, with three separate companies, in excess of $4.5 million for natural resource damages at the Sheboygan River and Harbor Superfund site. These settlements will resolve claims brought by NOAA and its co-trustees regarding liability for historic industrial discharges of chemicals that caused injury to public natural resources including invertebrates, fish, amphibians, birds, and mammals, as well as the loss of recreational fishing services. The settlements will include proposed projects that protect 324 acres of unique habitat and improve public recreational access. The co-trustees will jointly manage the funds to implement the restoration projects described in the restoration plan.
- New NOAA Resources Help Demystify Ecosystem Services Planning When beginning a project, coastal managers often consider an ecosystem services approach by integrating the human benefits that healthy ecosystems provide. To help managers determine if this method is right for their project, OCM created a quick-reference checklist to provide a preliminary assessment, and a worksheet that offers a deeper dive into the key elements of ecosystem services, helping planners understand and examine project goals. Both products aim to help users think through key considerations when it comes to incorporating ecosystem services, and determine if it is the right approach for their needs.
- Houston-Galveston PORTS® Expands System to Aid Navigation OR&R and several West Coast Joint Assessment Team (JAT) participants completed an update of an informational guide, Recommendations for Conducting Cooperative Natural Resource Damage Assessment. This new document summarizes the collective roles, lines of communication, and latest suggested field techniques that support effective interactions between response, assessment, and restoration personnel. In addition to the West Coast JAT, there are Joint Assessment Teams that cover Alaska and several states along the Gulf Coast.