Ocean SAMP Science Research

Agenda

Stakeholder meeting21 June 2012

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

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

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

Local to national context

Topic areas1. 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

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

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

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

2. Impact assessment:ORE and climate change

Monitoring activities:1. Continuation of ongoing and proposed baseline

studies2. 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

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

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

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

Next Steps Comment form online -

http://seagrant.gso.uri.edu/oceansamp/comment.html