Fifteen years of lessons from the Seascape approach: A framework for improving ocean management at scale

Given the diversity of human uses and natural resources that converge in coastal waters, the potential independent and cumulative impacts of those uses on marine ecosystems are important to consider during ocean planning. This study was designed to support the development and implementation of the 2009 Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan. Its goal was to estimate and visualize the cumulative impacts of human activities on coastal and marine ecosystems in the state and federal waters off of Massachusetts.For this study, regional ecosystem experts were surveyed to gauge the relative vulnerability of marine ecosystems to current and emerging anthropogenic stressors. Survey results were then combined with spatial information on the distribution of marine ecosystems and human stressors to map cumulative impacts in Massachusetts waters.The study resulted in an ecosystem vulnerability matrix and human impacts maps, which together yield insights into which ecosystems and places are most vulnerable and which human uses, alone and in combination, are putting the most stress on marine ecosystems. These products can be used in a number of ways, including to help clarify ocean planning decisions, identify areas of potential conflict among ocean users and areas that may merit conservation, and assess ecological, economic and social values of particular places.

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OAC and SAC Perspectives on Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan Performance

10.31230/osf.io/5dfe8 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

SeaPlan

Keyword(s):

Development Process ◽

Coastal Zone Management ◽

Management Plan ◽

Advisory Council ◽

Structured Interviews ◽

Zone Management ◽

Ocean Science ◽

Ocean Management ◽

Science Advisory ◽

Advisory Commission

In 2013, the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (MA CZM) undertook an assessment of the 2009 Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan (Plan) in preparation for a Plan Amendment. As one phase of the Plan Assess- ment process, MA CZM coordinated with SeaPlan to conduct semi-structured interviews with members of the Massachusetts Ocean Advisory Commission (OAC) and Massachusetts Ocean Science Advisory Council (SAC) to assess their perspectives on Plan performance. Interviewers from SeaPlan’s assessment team contacted advisors and asked questions about the Plan, focusing on the Plan’s development process, the Plan’s implementation and recommendations for a fu- ture amendment to the Plan. The assessment team coded and analyzed responses to identify perspectives and insights held by OAC and SAC members. Overall, OAC and SAC members were very satisfied with the CZM staff’s competency to develop the 2009 Plan and the staff ’s administrative execution. OAC and SAC members appreciated the focused effort to produce a quality plan specific to Massachusetts’ habitats, economy, and stakeholders. Results of this assessment, coupled with a review of the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan conducted by CZM, provides valuable context and insight for the plan amendment process.

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The In situ Global Ocean Observing System for Climate (and Other Needs)

Marine Technology Society Journal ◽

10.4031/mtsj.49.2.22 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 49 (2) ◽

pp. 112-121

Author(s):

Stephen R. Piotrowicz ◽

David M. Legler

Keyword(s):

Weather Forecasting ◽

Spatial Scales ◽

The Arctic ◽

Global Ocean ◽

Observation System ◽

Ocean Management ◽

Accuracy And Precision ◽

Weather And Climate ◽

Ocean Observing

AbstractThe Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) is the international observation system that ensures long-term sustained ocean observations. The ocean equivalent of the atmospheric observing system supporting weather forecasting, GOOS, was originally developed to provide data for weather and climate applications. Today, GOOS data are used for all aspects of ocean management as well as weather and climate research and forecasting. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), through the Climate Observation Division of the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research/Climate Program Office, is a major supporter of the climate component of GOOS. This paper describes the eight elements of GOOS, and the Arctic Observing Network, to which the Climate Observation Division is a major contributor. In addition, the paper addresses the evolution of the observing system as rapidly evolving new capabilities in sensors, platforms, and telecommunications allow observations at unprecedented temporal and spatial scales with the accuracy and precision required to address questions of climate variability and change.

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