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National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (CCMA)
Weekly Report – July 16, 2008
CCMA Scientist invited to join the working group on “Land-based Nutrient Pollution and the Relationship to Harmful Algal Blooms in Coastal Marine Systems”
The co-chairs of the Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR) and the Land-Ocean Interactions in the Coastal Zone (LOICZ) project working group on Land-based Nutrient Pollution and the Relationship to Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) in Coastal Marine Systems have invited a Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment scientist to join as an associate member. The working group is focused on integrating existing Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission HAB and nutrient loading databases into a compatible GIS format, using the databases to examine relationships between HAB species, nutrient loading/forms/ratios, and coastal typology. They are also developing predictive capabilities from potential relationships to examine possible changes in HAB occurrences and global nutrient export patterns under the Millennium Assessment scenarios for 2030. The overall intent is to provide the scientific basis for management of HABs. Results of the working group analyses will be published in peer-reviewed scientific journals and will include manuscripts describing; the global perspective on HABs, regional highlights and individual case studies. The first meeting of the group will be held at the LOICZ International Project Office in Geesthacht, Germany on July 28-31, 2008. The Institute of Oceanology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences will be one of the co-sponsors. For more information contact Suzanne Bricker at Suzanne.Bricker@noaa.gov [05M00087, 02Q00003] (CCMA)
CCMA and Coral Reef Conservation Program Partners Set Priorities for Benthic Mapping in Puerto Rico
Scientists from the Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment’s (CCMA) Biogeography Branch recently met with Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP) jurisdictional constituents in Puerto Rico (June 17 - Magueyes, June 19- San Juan, and June 20 - Vieques) to ascertain near-future and long-term mapping priorities. The partners unanimously and unambiguously stated that the mapping data collected and distributed by CCMA is crucial to designing future monitoring activities. Based on consensus input, CCMA is targeting FY09 ship-based acoustical mapping along the shelf edge south of Vieques. This area has been identified as an active fishing area with numerous known spawning aggregation of federally managed species, but is presently unprotected by any management measures. The data collected by CCMA will provide a critical spatial link, integrated with visual fishery assessment conduct by the Caribbean Fishery Management Council that will ultimately drive updated conservation measures and management actions. For more information, contact Tim Battista at 301-713-3028 x171 or Tim.Battista@noaa.gov . [04M00064] (CCMA)