Improving the collection, coordination, and delivery of information on California Current Large Marine Ecosystem conditions for societal needs

Alex Harper, California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, CeNCOOS, Arcata, United States, Clarissa Anderson, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, La Jolla, CA, United States, Jan Newton, University of Washington, Seattle, United States, Barbara Block, Stanford University, Oceans Department, Pacific Grove, United States, Steven J. Bograd, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Monterey, United States, Gabrielle Canonico, NOAA U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System, Silver Spring, United States, Francisco Chavez, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, Moss Landing, CA, United States, Daniel P Costa, University of California Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz, CA, United States, Robert J. Miller, University of California, Marine Science Institute, Santa Barbara, United States, Frank E Muller-Karger, U.S Geological Survey, Washington, CA, United States, James M Price, U. S. BOEMRE, Herndon, VA, United States, Henry Ruhl, Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute, CeNCOOS, Moss Landing, United States, William Turner, NASA Headquarters, Washington DC, United States, Michael Joseph Weise, Office of Naval Research, US NAVY, Arlington, VA, United States and Bill Woodward, NOAA/IOOS, United States
Abstract:
Marine resource managers are increasingly reliant on fit-for-purpose updates on changing ecological conditions that incorporate near real-time data. In the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem (CCLME), dynamics can result in unexpected management conflicts among protected species, habitats, and fisheries, compounded by the occurrence of pathogens that represent a hazard to humans and wildlife. Automated ecosystem indicator products can target specific or multiple management requirements by providing timely information on living resources in the CCLME. However, they require the integration of regularly updated data and an evolution in data handling. Improved coordination to create and use these products is needed to enable wise use of existing resources and meet the needs of people depending on the information. California, Oregon, and Washington have many academic, non-governmental, tribal, federal, state and local bodies that contribute to, and/or benefit from, ecosystem indicators. These include three US Regional Associations (RAs) of the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS): The Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Systems (NANOOS), the Central and Northern California Ocean Observing System (CeNCOOS) and the Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System (SCCOOS), the US Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON), and the U.S. Animal Telemetry Network (ATN). Here we describe how the formation of a West Coast Ecosystem Indicator Network can help coordinate the formation of specific ‘data stream plans’ that organize and document the leveraging of individual data providers, statutory monitoring efforts, and research observations and knowledge to go from raw data to the provision of added value information. Key steps include (1) an assessment of data availability, quality, and gaps; (2) indicator relevance to management entities and people in the region, and (3) dynamic, automated information product development with direct downstream implications for societal resilience.
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