Census of Marine Life (CoML) Workshops Convened

Current Status of Accomplishment or Milestone: PFEL staff was involved in the organization and completion of two workshops associated with two different pilot projects of the Census of Marine Life.

Background: The NMFS is the principal organization in NOAA responsible for working closely with CoML. CoML is an international activity oriented toward evaluating what lived in the ocean historically, what currently lives in the ocean, and, through modeling efforts, what will live in the ocean. Determining what currently lives in the ocean is the subject of several pilot projects using differing technologies to improve our understanding of marine life. Staff at PFEL was involved in developing two pilot projects, Tagging of Pacific Pelagics (TOPP) and Pacific Ocean Salmon Tracking (POST). They are currently in the "planning phase" with funding from the Sloan and Packard Foundations.

Purpose of Activity/Goal of Project: The purpose of the TOPP and POST pilot projects is to determine how marine animals use the ocean environment. TOPP will evaluate a variety of fish, marine mammals, seabirds, and marine reptiles, while POST will use different technology on Pacific salmon. The workshops are designed to bring in needed expertise to improve the planning of and participation in these pilot projects.

Description of Accomplishment and Significant Results: The POST workshop, attended by an international group of 24 scientists, was convened 16-17 March 2002, in Vancouver, BC, Canada. It reviewed results obtained from the preliminary field trials completed the previous summer, evaluated demonstration projects planned for summer 2002, and developed longer range plans. The TOPP workshop was more specific and focused on the program's requirements for physical oceanographic data. The workshop brought 22 scientists to a meeting at the Monterey Bay Aquarium on 22-23 April 2002. It identified the specific data requirements from the physical environment, the data delivery systems to be used, and appropriate participants in the larger TOPP program. Both workshops strengthened the POST and TOPP programs.

Significance of Accomplishment (e.g., to the Center, to Management, and to NMFS Strategic plan Goals): The goals of the Census of Marine Life are consistent with those of NOAA under the strategic plan elements Build Sustainable Fisheries and Recover Protected Species. NOAA and NMFS scientists can contribute a great deal to the shared objectives of the two programs.

Problems: None

Key Contact: Franklin B. Schwing, (831-648-9034, Franklin.Schwing@noaa.gov)