NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) developed species distribution models for key seabird and marine mammal species along the outer coast of Washington. They also provided evaluations of existing surveys and data for marine mammals, seabirds, and deepsea coral and sponges.
Predictive Mapping of Seabirds, Pinnipeds, and Cetaceans Final Report (30MB)
Seabird Modeling Report
Marine Mammal Data Review Final Report
Technical and Mapping Support Report
Predictive Mapping of Seabirds, Pinnipeds, and Cetaceans Final Report (30MB)
Seabird Modeling Report
Marine Mammal Data Review Final Report
Technical and Mapping Support Report
The Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) developed a process for developing indicators for the Washington coast marine ecosystem, develop a list of potential indicators, and develop conceptual models of marine waters off of the Washington coast. Staff from the NWFSC participated in an Ecosystem Indicator Workshop to facilitate a discussion about ecosystem assessment and identify next steps for Washington.
View the summary report.
View workshop report.
View workshop presentations (large file)
NWFSC then refined the conceptual models of Washington’s marine waters and developed conceptual models for the coastal estuaries. They used a series of maps to identify how habitats and the ecosystem indicators interact in the natural system. Finally, NWFSC collaborated with planners and researchers to collect time series data for key ecological indicators and prepared a final overview of status and trends of Washington’s coastal indicators.
Ecological Indicators Final Report
Ecological Indicators Final Report Appendix
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The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) continued the forage fish survey along the Washington coast from the mouth of the Columbia River north to Cape Flattery to complete a full year of sampling. Additionally, WDFW created a bird and mammal geodatabase and conducted marine mammal aerial surveys. WDFW also used existing data to identify Ecologically Important Areas off of the Washington coast through an iterative process. Finally, WDFW coordinated with the Coastal Treaty Tribes (Makah Tribe, Quileute Tribe, Hoh Tribe, and Quinault Indian Nation) on their participation at the policy and technical levels in MSP efforts.
Forage Fish Final Report (October 2012 – October 2014)
Marine Mammal and Bird Geodatabase Final Report
Pinniped and Sea Otter Final Report
Ecologically Important Areas Final Report
Forage Fish Final Report (October 2012 – October 2014)
Marine Mammal and Bird Geodatabase Final Report
Pinniped and Sea Otter Final Report
Ecologically Important Areas Final Report
The University of Washington’s Olympic Natural Resources Center created data on commercial, private, tribal and public shellfish growing areas including GIS data layers for beneficial uses, and GIS data for invasive species and shoreline designations. They also integrated existing seafloor mapping and shellfish area data to make recommendations for future seafloor mapping activities.
Scope of Work
View the summary report.
Scope of Work
View the summary report.