Protecting Corals, Saving Ships

Quarterly Summary

January-March 2005

April 5, 2005

Protecting Corals, Saving Ships

1.   Work progressed during the 2nd Quarter of FY 2005. In addition to the normal support provided to the project, two Working Groups have now been established to perform specific tasks. A technical Working Group and the SAC Working Group. The work of both of these groups is critical to further the progress of the project since the result of one group is dependant on the other and therefore must be closely coordinated.

 

2.   In early January, the Technical Working Group was established to begin development of the environmental data layer format. This includes the conversion of the data into a suitable format, which will be required so that it can be used in an ECDIS or ECS in conjunction with ENCs including determining which software tools will best serve this effort. Specifically, the group will explore the overall process required to convert Benthic Habitat Data (ARCGIS “shape file” format) into a Marine Information Object (MIO) conforming to IHO S-57 to allow its use with ENCs in ECDIS. This group will investigate the need to develop a new object classes/attributes for coral reef habitats and an MIO product specification.

a.   One of the participants received training from CARIS, (one of the private sector companies who provide digital tools for chart production) using their Hydrographic Object Manager (HOM). CARIS has also prepared a short report noting how this could be performed using CARIS HOM.

b.   Further, the Technical Coordinator has met with CARIS and produced “prototype” FKNMS Coral Reef MIOs.

 

3.   The Sanctuary Advisory Council of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary established a Working Group, which was established specifically to assist us with this project, hosted a Working Group meeting on March 24, 2005 at the Upper Region Office Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary in Key Largo. A total of 15 stakeholders, representing a number of different affiliations, attended the meeting. This group consists of a core group of stakeholders, who provided direction on issues such as who else should be involved; which type of vessels should be the primary target; which environmental features are most heavily impacted/need most attention; what are the primary interests of mariners; and what is the appropriate amount/level of detail that should be provided/depicted.

As a direct result of this meeting, it was determined that a “Classification Scheme” needs to be developed and that all “Regulatory Zones” need to be identified. After considerable discussion of where and how to proceed, it was agreed that the group start by looking into the “Regulatory Zones.” That is the group will identify the various regulatory zones and, if possible, place them in a hierarchical structure.

 

4.   The ENC production, on which this project is heavily dependant, has progressed significantly. These charts cover the initial target area for this project. The Office of Coast Survey (OCS) reports the following:

a.    Status of ENC production by the Marine Chart Division, OCS:

 

                      Location                                                Chart         Scale 

               Fowey Rocks to American Shoal                11450        1:180K   

               Dry Tortugas                                               11438        1:30K 

               Key West and Approaches                          11441        1:30K 

               Key West Harbor                                        11447        1:10K 

               IW – Bahia Honda Key to Sugarloaf Key      11445        1:40K 

               IW – Sands Key to Blackwater Sound           11463        1:40K 

b.    The ENCs already show PSSA (Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas) boundaries similar to what is shown on paper chart.


5.   An initial ENC and MIO demonstration has also already been achieved, using two providers of ENC capable systems as follows:

a.    SeeMyENC (SevenCs)

b.   EasyENC (CARIS)

            Other systems such as dKart, etc., are also being considered


6.    Immediate Future Plans:

a.    Determination of content (both biological and regulatory), including:

i.      Development of a comprehensive list of criteria (national and international)

ii.    Categorize or classify these MIOs

iii.     Define a hierarchy for MIOs

b.    Create Coral Reef MIO objects class(es)

c.   Define MIO product specification

d.   Propose suitable colors and symbols

e.   Test and evaluate in ECDIS and ECS equipment

 

7.   To move forward with item 6a, above, a subsequent meeting is scheduled for 3 May 2005.

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