• Added a submarine canyons map layer 
• Replaced the deep-sea coral habitat suitability layers with new versions in collaboration with NOAA Office for Coastal Management
• Public comment period on the proposed Omnibus Deep Sea Coral Amendment ends February 18. Click here for more details.

• Added two new map layers with high-resolution bathymetry data (gridded at 4 meters or 8 meters) for the Gulf of Maine
• In collaboration with University of New Hampshire Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping

• Added new map layers showing annual and monthly densities of tagged loggerhead sea turtles from Florida to southern New England
• In collaboration with NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center

• Added new map layers showing migration routes and winter habitats of northern gannet, red-throated loon, and surf scoter
• In collaboration with US Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management

• Added new map layer showing NOAA Fisheries Statistical Reporting Areas
• In collaboration with NOAA Fisheries

• Updated map layer characterizing the annual offshore wind speed in the northeast and mid-Atlantic regions
• In collaboration with National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL) and Marine Cadastre

• Added new map layer showing US Coast Guard Sector Boundaries and Areas of Responsibility as delineated in Title 33 of the Code of Federal Regulation
• In collaboration with US Coast Guard

• Added new map layer with boundaries for a proposed new ocean dredged materials disposal site located approximately 10.8 nautical miles east of Portsmouth, New Hampshire
• In collaboration with Environmental Protection Agency and Army Corps of Engineers

Next Anticipated Data Updates (Dates TBD)

Energy and Infrastructure

• Energy transmission lines and substations
• Ongoing updates to planning areas, lease areas, proposed projects, and infrastructure (Bureau of Ocean Energy Management)

Aquaculture

• Updated information from Massachusetts and other states if available

Marine Life and Habitat

• Fishing effects, sediment type, and habitat vulnerability to fishing (New England Fishery Management Council)
• Seabed stress and mobility (US Geological Survey)

Recreation

• Updated maps of whale watching activity/areas
• Updated maps of scuba areas
• Updated maps of charter/party boat activity
• In collaboration with local industry, stakeholders, and experts

Gulf of Maine Intergovernmental Renewable Energy Task Force Meeting, Portsmouth, NH (Dec 12)
Nick Napoli (Northeast Regional Ocean Council) made a presentation at the Task Force Meeting demonstrating the value of the Northeast Ocean Data Portal for the offshore wind planning process. Several other speakers used Portal maps in their talks and highlighted the Portal’s role and importance. In his talk, Matthew Mailloux of the New Hampshire Office of Strategic Initiatives said, “The Northeast Ocean Data Portal will be crucial in incorporating all available data into decision making.”

NOAA Office for Coastal Management and Integrated Ocean Observing System Regional Ocean Data Sharing Workshop, Charleston, SC (Nov 21-22)

Gulf of Maine 2050 International Symposium, Portland, ME (Nov 4-8)
A Northeast Ocean Data Portal interactive display was featured at the Symposium, where the Portal team engaged with scientists, stakeholders, and decision makers on uses of the Portal’s maps and data.

AWEA Offshore Wind POWER, Boston, MA (Oct 22-23)
Emily Shumchenia from the Northeast Ocean Data Portal participated in a panel discussion, and various speakers throughout the conference used Portal maps and data to show complex interactions among offshore wind, maritime commerce, and other ocean uses. 

Map Galleries are a new feature on the Portal providing easy access to ready-made maps on current ocean management issues. The maps can be downloaded and used in PowerPoint presentations and public comment documents, for example. The interactive maps can also be used as a starting point for creating your own custom maps with overlays of any data on the Portal. Three Map Galleries are currently available:

For a quick introduction to the Map Galleries and how to us them, watch this video:

The Northeast Ocean Data Portal, in coordination with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, held an expert webinar about species movement maps on January 10, 2020. A recording of the webinar is available for viewing, and the webinar slides are available for download.

Feb. 16-21: Ocean Sciences Meeting, San Diego, CA

Apr. 2: NROC Ocean Planning Committee meeting (location/registration link TBD)

Trainings and workshops throughout the region