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2005 Recent Accomplishments
Harmful Algal Bloom Forecasting Evolves to Operational Product
CCMA’s Gulf of Mexico Harmful Algal Bloom Forecast System has gone from being a research tool to an operational product at the Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services and the Coastal Services Center. The forecasts are sent to subscribers who use them for sampling designs as well as safeguarding public health.
Accurate Hypoxia Forecast Generated for the Gulf of Mexico
The Gulf of Mexico hypoxia forecast accurately predicted the size of the hypoxic zone (commonly called the “Dead Zone”) to within 10%. CCMA issues the forecasts in conjunction with scientists from Louisiana. This model can be used to provide watershed managers with information to evaluate various management strategies for reducing the impact of hypoxia.
Major Benthic Habitat Characterization Completed
Created a series of benthic habitat maps for the main Hawaiian Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and Grays Reef National Marine Sanctuary (GRNMS). The benthic habitat maps of GRNMS have been utilized to initiate a field program with GRNMS staff and academic partners. To date, CCMA has mapped 30% of U.S. coral reef habitats.
Produced the report “State of the Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific Freely Associated States: 2005”
The report was developed from many sources, including data collected through the CCMA Coral Reef Ecosystem Research & Monitoring field program. Resource managers and scientists will use the report to track quantitative changes in coral reef ecosystem health and to prioritize future monitoring and research studies.
Remote Sensing Technology Assists Coastal Resource Managers
Using SeaWiFS satellite imagery, CCMA produced comprehensive ocean color and chlorophyll time series products for all coastal U.S. regions. These are used in a number of ways, including analyzing harmful algal bloom (HAB) factors that may have contributed to an extreme event. The data were used by the Heinz Center in its report “The State of the Nation’s Ecosystems”, and by the National Marine Fisheries Service in Monterey, California.
Biogeographic Assessment Produced for Three National Marine Sanctuaries
Completed a biogeographic assessment to support the joint management plan review for the Cordell Bank, Gulf of the Farallones, and Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuaries. This multi-level approach gives a snapshot of the current biological status of a designated area and is a valuable resource management tool.
National Status and Trends Program Enters Third Decade of Monitoring
The National Status and Trends Program (NS&T) was established in 1984 to determine the status of environmental quality in our Nation's coastal and estuarine waters by monitoring contaminants in sediments, benthic fish and bivalve tissues. The long term nature of the data set also allows scientists to track changes in coastal environmental quality over time.
Field Missions
CCMA conducted seventeen field missions in Fiscal Year 2004!
Conducted ten field missions in Hawaii, U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico to support coral reef ecosystem monitoring and assessment studies. Safely completed over 1,700 individual dives to collect data for the CCMA Coral Reef Ecosystem Research and Monitoring field program.
Conducted four field missions in Massachusetts, Central California, Florida and two of the Great Lakes (Michigan and Huron) to determine the distribution, trends and potential impacts of chemical contaminants. Additionally, samples of bivalves and sediments were collected under contract for the Mussel Watch Project on all coasts of the contiguous U.S., Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
Conducted three field missions in Chesapeake Bay and Pamlico Sound to support satellite monitoring and assessment studies. The field missions included development of satellite imagery validation for assessing habitat quality and eutrophication.