FGDC Endorses Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard

Meta data- data about data- is an important part of keeping monitoring datasets relevant into the future. Hard work by the CMECS program (Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard) to refine coastal habitat classification used in produced metadata is now legitimate after its approval the by Federal body that governs such classifications:


The following was posted on the LinkedIn Marine Spatial Planning group by Kathy Goodin of Nature Serve:


"We are pleased to announce that the  (CMECS) has been approved by the FGDC (Federal Geographic Data Committee, see: www.fgdc.gov) as the Federal framework and hierarchy for consistent classification and description of coastal and marine ecological features in North America. 

CMECS (see pdf at: http://www.csc.noaa.gov/benthic/cmecs/) provides an extensive set of terms and definitions to describe ecological features for the geological, physical, biological, and chemical components of the environment that, together, constitute habitats and biotopes. CMECS units are accessible through the pdf document, and also through a web-based catalog (http://www.cmecscatalog.org/)."

New Ways to Connect

Hafa adai to all of our followers! Just want to update everyone that CNMI MMT is now on facebook! Along with this blog and our website (http://www.cnmicoralreef.net) MMT now has a facebook for you to connect with us. On the page you can photos posted from our surveys, ask us questions, and get any updates on our precious coral reefs.

Head on over to https://www.facebook.com/pages/CNMI-Marine-Monitoring-Team/137209369691101 (sorry for the lengthy link. If we get 25 'likes' we will get a shortened version so help us out) and check out the page and don't forget to 'like' it.

Stay wet my friends!

Steven

Operation Saipan: Pics and Videos of Saipan Lagoon's Wrecks

One of the outcomes of the Saipan Underwater Heritage Trail project carried out by Flinders University and supported by the MMT was the visit to UHT sites by both a professional documentary photographer and film maker.  View stills and video from their visit at: http://operationsaipan.net/2010/stills.html

First Friday Films: Sea Change for July

Come out to the American Memorial Park for First Friday Films. Along with a wonderful free movie covering the topics of climate change & ocean acidification, the CNMI's marine monitoring team will have a short presentation on local stress' on our coral reefs and what you can do to help reduce those stress'.

For me information, see the repost & link to the First Friday Films blog after the break.

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First Friday Films: Sea Change for July: "If you think global warming is tough, you don’t know the half of it. Come to the next First Friday Films on July 1 and uncover the rest of t..."

EBM Tools Database Launched

From an EBM tools press release:

Need tools for your coastal or marine management or conservation program?  Want to read about projects that have used tools before jumping in to tool use?  Want to find someone to help you with a project?  Want to let people know about your new tool or EBM project?

The EBM Tools Network is very pleased to announce the launch of a new on-line EBM Tools Database www.ebmtoolsdatabase.org! This new database is free to use and can help you find tools for your coastal and marine management and conservation projects. In addition, you can find Projects, Resources, Organizations, and Practitioners related to Tools and can contribute information about your own Tools, Projects, Resources, and expertise.

Some highlights and features of the new EBM Tools Database:

·         You can search by names and topics (e.g. watershed, marine protected area)

·         It is free to use and add content to

·         You can contribute YOUR Tools, Projects, Resources, or Organization and Practitioner information to the database (Click on Add Information)

·         Users can review tools to provide feedback to others users and tool developers

·         You can add comments about topics in the database.

EBM tools needs your contributions to the database to make it the best possible resource for the community! Create a login and add information today!

For more information about the database or the EBM Tools Network, contact:

Sarah Carr, EBM Tools Network Coordinator  

E-mail: sarah_carr@natureserve.org

Phone: 703.908.1892

Old News.. but Good News... the 2010 Fisheries Cruise

In 2010, a NOAA Fisheries research vessel travelled through the waters of Guam and CNMI carrying scientists and a few students interested in learning about fish populations and habitats of some of the deeper areas associated with coral reefs. A nice overview of what was involved can be found on the cruise blog, which is found here http://fish250.blogspot.com/

HB 17-150

So FYI Ya'll, HB 17-150 proposes the re-authorization of using both gill nets as well as SCUBA while fishing. The bill was written by the Honorable Jose Palacios of Precint 1.

Just to get everyone up to speed, there have been management restrictions banning the use of gills nets and "SCUBA Spearfishing" in the CNMI. This bill proposes to abolish those restrictions. Although I have my own views on the subject I would much rather hear the thoughts of others. Please feel free to express your thoughts on the matter.