These files contain the spatial boundaries of the NOAA Fisheries Bottom-trawl surveys. This data set covers 7 regions of the United States: Northeast, Southeast, Gulf of Mexico, West Coast, Eastern Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and Gulf of Alaska.

These files contain the spatial boundaries of the NOAA Fisheries Bottom-trawl surveys. This data set covers 7 regions of the United States: Northeast, Southeast, Gulf of Mexico, West Coast, Eastern Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, and Gulf of Alaska.

These files contain the key distribution metrics of center of gravity, range limits, and depth for each species in the portal. This data set covers 8 regions of the United States: Northeast, Southeast, Gulf of Mexico, West Coast, Eastern Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, Gulf of Alaska, and Hawai'i Islands.

Fishery Independent Survey System (FINSS) is a national system that characterizes NMFS ocean observation activities, stock and ecosystem data collections during fishery-independent surveys conducted by NMFS Science Centers.

This data set contains sensitive biological resource data for marine, estuarine, anadromous, and freshwater fish species in Maryland. Vector polygons in this data set represent fish distribution, concentration areas, and spawning areas. Species specific abundance, seasonality, status, life history, and source information are stored in relational data tables (described below) designed to be used in conjunction with this spatial data layer.This data set comprises a portion of the Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) data for Maryland. ESI data characterize the marine and coastal environments and wildlife by their sensitivity to spilled oil. The ESI data include information for three main components: shoreline habitats, sensitive biological resources, and human-use resources.

This data set contains sensitive biological resource data for seagrass, coral reef, hard-bottom communities, and deep-sea coral for East Florida. Vector polygons in this data set represent seagrass, coral, and hard-bottom community distribution. Species specific abundance, seasonality, status, life history, and source information are stored in relational data tables (described below) designed to be used in conjunction with this spatial data layer. This data set comprises a portion of the ESI data for Florida. ESI data characterize the marine and coastal environments and wildlife by their sensitivity to spilled oil. The ESI data include information for three main components: shoreline habitats, sensitive biological resources, and human-use resources. Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) is more properly known as 'Sensitivity of Coastal Habitats and Wildlife to Spilled Oil' Atlases. The term 'ESI' is often used in reference to the whole dataset, but the term 'ESI' is really a reference to the classification system of shoreline types known as Environmental Sensitivity Index, that classifies a shoreline on a scale from 1 to 10 based upon overall sensitivity to spilled oil. FWRI contracted out updates for the East Florida ESI area of interest, with the exception of Human Use data, in 2019. These datasets were delivered as feature classes in overlapping-polygon format following the NOAA ESI Data Standard. The East Florida ESI data format is consistent with the previously delivered ESI data.

Fishery-independent data from the Federal/State/University cooperative Southeast Area Monitoring and Assessment Program (SEAMAP) and the National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Fisheries Science Center were used to generate maps of station locations, sampling effort and distribution and abundance of selected fish, shark and invertebrate species. The map layers for each species were summarized from SEAMAP Fall Plankton (1986-2016), SEAMAP Summer and Fall Bottom Trawl (1987-2018), SEAMAP Reef Fish Video (1995-2017) and NMFS Bottom Longline (2001-2018) surveys. Species specific information may be documented for a single or multiple surveys dependent upon available data.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has the statutory mandate to collect hydrographic data in support of nautical chart compilation for safe navigation and to provide background data for engineers, scientific, and other commercial and industrial activities. Hydrographic survey data primarily consist of water depths, but may also include features (e.g. rocks, wrecks), navigation aids, shoreline identification, and bottom type information. NOAA is responsible for archiving and distributing the source data as described in this metadata record.

This data set contains sensitive biological resource data for marine, estuarine, and select freshwater species Southwest Florida. Vector polygons in this data set represent distribution, concentration areas, spawning areas, and nursery areas for species of economic and ecological importance. Species specific abundance, seasonality, status, life history, and source information are stored in relational data tables (described below) designed to be used in conjunction with this spatial data layer. This data set comprises a portion of the ESI data for Southwest Florida. ESI data characterize the marine and coastal environments and wildlife by their sensitivity to spilled oil. The ESI data include information for three main components: shoreline habitats, sensitive biological resources, and human-use resources.

The Cetacean Density and Distribution Mapping Working Group identified Biologically Important Areas (BIAs) for 24 cetacean species, stocks, or populations in seven regions (US East Coast, Gulf of Mexico, West Coast, Hawaiian Islands, Gulf of Alaska, Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea, and Arctic [encompassing the northeastern Chukchi and western Beaufort seas]) within US waters. BIAs are reproductive areas, feeding areas, migratory corridors, and areas in which small and resident populations are concentrated. BIAs are region-, species-, and time-specific. Information provided for each BIA includes the following: 1) a written narrative describing the information, assumptions, and logic used to delineate the BIA; 2) a map of the BIA; 3) a list of references used in the assessment; and 4) a metadata table that concisely details the type and quantity of information used to define a BIA, providing transparency in how BIAs were designated in a quick reference table format. BIAs were identified through an expert elicitation process. The delineation of BIAs does not have direct or immediate regulatory consequences. Rather, the BIA assessment is intended to provide the best available science to help inform regulatory and management decisions under existing authorities about some, though not all, important cetacean areas in order to minimize the impacts of anthropogenic activities on cetaceans and to achieve conservation and protection goals. In addition, the BIAs and associated information may be used to identify information gaps and prioritize future research and modeling efforts to better understand cetaceans, their habitat, and ecosystems.