2. Context for agenda
Additional research need recognized in the Ocean
SAMP document (Sec. 1130)
Identify where additional research is needed
Recommend approaches
Agenda presents opportunity for RI to further lead
the way in MSP and ORE development
3. Objectives
Assist in obtaining future funds
Continue to learn about RI’s offshore natural resources
and human uses
Obtain higher-resolution temporal and spatial data
Better understand potential future effects of human
uses, development, and global climate change
Guide management decisions and support adaptive
management strategies
Promote the efficient development of ORE
Identify collaborative research opportunities
4. Development
Ocean SAMP researchers
State and federal government agencies
Environmental organizations
The Narragansett Indian Tribe
RI and MA Fisheries Advisory Board
RI Habitat Advisory Board
Public
Other stakeholders
6. Topic areas
1. Baseline data
Further characterize current ecosystem and human uses
Reference, or baseline, data to compare future data
2. Monitoring programs
Assess impacts due to ORE and climate change
Identify and evaluate range and magnitude of impacts
3. Ocean Engineering
Advancing technology of ORE devices
Ensure facilities reach maximum potential and efficiency
4. Information framework
Support system to organize, visualize, analyze, and disseminate
information
7. 1. Baseline studies
The collection of data to understand current state of
the ecosystem, and human uses
Environmental and biological attributes, human activity
Point of reference against which to compare subsequent
data and evaluate change
Studies proposed over multiple years
Adequate temporal and spatial resolutions
Detect and understand natural and human-induced
variability in patterns and processes
Important for adaptive management
See how area has changed over time and adjust
management policies and practices accordingly
8. 1. Baseline studies
Improve knowledge of Ocean SAMP area
Provide data for modeling
Topic areas:
Observation stations
Physical oceanography
Wind & climatology
Benthic habitat
Ecology
Avian
Marine mammals & sea turtles
Fish & fisheries
Cultural & historic resources
Recreation & tourism
9. 2. Impact assessment:
ORE and climate change
Identify potential effects
Range and magnitude
Develop suitable programs and protocols
Studies proposed for over period of years
Adequately detect and understand variability
Needed for implementing appropriate management
and mitigation strategies
10. 2. Impact assessment:
ORE and climate change
Monitoring activities:
1. Continuation of ongoing and proposed baseline
studies
2. For ORE – Extend monitoring project currently taking
place as part of the NOPP
NOPP topic areas:
Benthic habitat & ecology
Avian
Marine mammals & sea turtles
Fish & fisheries
Recreation & tourism
11. 3. Ocean engineering
Focus on ORE devices:
Design
Construction
Structural requirements
Monitoring
Promote maximum potential and efficiency of ORE
facility
Better anticipate development effects
Recommend how standards should be revised and
improved
Recently submitted proposal to DOE to study
demonstration project proposed off Block Island
12. 4. Information framework
Framework – GIS based
Organize
Visualize
Analyze
Disseminate
Guide monitoring and policy decisions, promote
collaborations
Focus:
Data integration into one database
Upgrades to NARRBAY.org website
Ensure information access
On-site and web-based support
13. Next steps
Regional context
Collaborators – NROC, NESGC
Understand broad scale distribution of marine mammals,
migratory birds, fisheries activity
Understand how those patterns relate to OSAMP area
Inform regional MSP initiatives
Expand and compliment OSAMP research projects
Potential funding sources
BOEM
DOE
Prioritize studies
14. Next Steps
Comment form online -
http://seagrant.gso.uri.edu/oceansamp/comment.html
