Through NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, the National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization Council and Interagency Working Group on Ocean Exploration and Characterization has announced that comments are being sought by Monday, May 2 on draft Strategic Priorities for Ocean Exploration and Characterization of the United States Exclusive Economic Zone (see Appendices here, here, and here). Comments are specifically sought on the thematic and geographic priorities that were identified by federal representatives for inclusion in the draft Strategic Priorities.
The priorities are being developed pursuant to the 2020 National Strategy for Ocean Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing the United States Exclusive Economic Zone and 2021 National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization Implementation Plan, and will be revisited and updated roughly every 2 years.
Draft thematic and geographic priorities include the following:
- Benthic ecology: Aleutian Islands and Slope; Southeast U.S. Blake Plateau and “Million Mounds;” Mesophotic and Deep Habitats throughout U.S. Caribbean EEZ; Cascadia Margin and Gorda Ridge Area (Pacific Northwest); and New England and Mid-Atlantic Canyons, Slope, Seamounts, and Seeps
- Deep-sea corals and sponges
- Essential fish habitats and bycatch
- Unique species associated with chemosynthetic environments
- Cultural heritage: Atlantic and Pacific seaboards; Alaska and the Aleutian Island chain; U.S. territories (especially the Mona Passage); U.S. Gulf of Mexico and Mississippi River Delta Front; Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument; National Marine Sanctuary of American Samoa
- Paleocultural landscapes
- Threats related to underwater cultural heritage
- Ecological contributions of underwater cultural heritage
- Marine resources
- Fisheries habitats (Northeast U.S.; Marine National Monuments)
- Aquaculture (Northeast U.S.; parts of West Coast; Alaska; Hawaii; Pacific Islands)
- Renewable energy (Northeast U.S.; parts of West Coast; Hawaii)
- Critical minerals (Pacific Islands; Marine National Monuments)
- Deep (>40m) sand and gravel (Alaska; Southeast U.S.; Eastern Gulf of Mexico)
- Natural products (Alaska; Hawaii; Pacific Islands)
- Seafloor hazards: Cascadian Subduction Zone (Pacific Northwest); Central Aleutian Arc; Eastern Alaskan-Aleutian Subduction Zone Area; California Continental Borderland; Northeast Caribbean
- Earthquakes
- Submarine landslides
- Submarine volcanic eruptions
- Water column: Aquaculture Opportunity Areas; Arctic and North Pacific; Gulf of Mexico; Southeast U.S.; Monterey Bay; Hawaiian Islands; Remote Pacific Islands
- Biological characterization of pelagic ecosystems (emphasis on basic ecosystem structure, applications, and benthic-pelagic coupling)
- Improved characterization of fundamental biogeochemical and physical oceanographic properties (e.g., acoustic characteristics, light levels, turbidity, primary productivity, elemental stocks, temperature, salinity, current profiles)
- Improved characterization of oceanographic features, trends, and events (e.g., methane plumes, hypoxic regions, and acidification)
As to draft thematic priorities for marine resources, the draft report states that oil, natural gas, and natural gas hydrates were initially considered but excluded from the prioritization effort based on guidance from National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization Council. Specifically, the exclusion is attributed to the “unique reliance on deep-penetrating subsurface technologies to characterize hydrocarbon resources” and the Council’s “primary focus on seafloor and water column-related exploration and characterization needs.” At the same time, in addressing ocean exploration and characterization data needs, the draft cites a number of mechanisms needed to address identified priority areas, including the use of multi-channel seismic reflection (spark or airgun), multibeam echosounders, side scan sonar, sub-bottom profilers, 3D scanning using laser, lidar, or sonar scanning systems, and piston/vibracore/gravity/multi-coring.
Additionally, the draft report states that better mapping and exploration of fisheries habitat, including within Marine National Monuments, is needed to enable “a more complete understanding…of the ecosystem processes critical to supporting these [recreational, subsistence, or commercial] fisheries and the designation of future protected areas.”
The document also notes that ocean characterization supports specific research, resource management/stewardship, policymaking, and applied mission objectives, adding that ocean exploration and characterization data of relevant marine habitats are critical to meeting information requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act, informing decision-making on conflicting uses, and evaluating and monitoring impacts of activities.
