When it comes to making decisions about how the ocean is used, there’s a lot to consider. Ocean planning is a growing field that uses science and information to advance local and regional interests and keep the ocean and the economy healthy. Below are helpful resources to use when beginning an ocean-related project.
Obtain Key Data
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Data
Federal Offshore Cadastral Areas
Access key data related to important ocean planning topics, including oil and gas leases, renewable energy leases, oil and gas and wind planning areas, sand and gravel lease areas, and other related data.
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Data
Marine Life Models and Habitat
View maps characterizing the predicted density, distribution, and abundance of marine animals and living resources.
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Data
Marine Vessel Traffic
Download data for ocean traffic analysis, ecological studies, and other offshore location-based research.
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Data
Economics: National Ocean Watch
Understand jobs, wages, goods, and services that depend on the six sectors of the ocean economy.
Explore the Data
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Tool
OceanReports
Visualize and analyze ocean neighborhoods, including in-depth information on energy and minerals, natural resources, industry uses, oceanography, and the ocean economy.
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Tool
MarineCadastre.gov
Access an ocean of information with this “go to” resource for authoritative, national-scale ocean planning data and resources.
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Tool
Environmental Studies Program Information System
Search Bureau of Ocean Energy Management study information, including study profiles, technical summaries, final reports, and links to publications and digital data.
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Tool
Essential Fish Habitat Mapper
View habitats that the National Marine Fisheries Service and the regional fishery management councils have identified and described as necessary to fish for spawning, breeding, feeding, or growth to maturity.
Learn from Others
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Story from the Field
Facilitating Scientific Feedback on Dredging Impacts off the North Carolina Shore
Explore how OceanReports was used to understand the ocean neighborhood of Frying Pan Shoals.
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Story from the Field
Harnessing the Power of Macroalgae in the Caribbean
Discover how OceanReports was used to better predict seasonal locations of algal biomass for mariculture.
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Story from the Field
Informing Offshore Wind Planning with Vessel Traffic Data in the Atlantic
Understand how vessel traffic data were used to identify stakeholders to include in conversations about offshore planning areas.
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Story from the Field
Establishing Fish Spawning Reefs in the Detroit River in Michigan
Explore how vessel traffic data helped identify ideal locations for fish spawning habitat.