Expanding and Evaluating the Biological Content of the Marine Cadastre Ocean Reporting Tool

Abstract

A collaboration between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), the MarineCadastre.gov website provides a platform through which marine planners can access a variety of spatial data. To improve communication of complex spatial information, NOAA and BOEM are developing The Marine Cadastre Ocean Reporting Tool, an online spatial planning tool designed to provide summary statistics for areas of interest in the Atlantic Ocean, spanning from Virginia to Florida. To expand the biological content of the tool, geospatial analysis techniques were applied to develop infographic designs summarizing marine mammals and seabirds predictive abundance models for pre-defined report areas. The proposed designs were shared with potential tool users, including professionals from non-profit organizations and federal and state agencies. A qualitative analysis of interview responses informed modifications to the initial infographic designs. The final infographic designs provide recommendations for future inclusion of marine mammals and seabird spatial data in the tool. The information presented is intended to support various marine spatial planning efforts in the southeastern United States.