North Atlantic Right Whale Critical Habitat

Metadata also available as

Metadata:


Identification_Information:
Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator: NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office
Publication_Date: 20160126
Title: North Atlantic Right Whale Critical Habitat
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: vector digital data
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Gloucester, MA
Publisher:
NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) - Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO)
Online_Linkage: <http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/>
Online_Linkage: <http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/maps_gis_data/>
Online_Linkage: <http://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/>
Online_Linkage: <http://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/gis>
Description:
Abstract:
This dataset depicts the boundaries of the North Atlantic Right Whale Critical Habitat in ESRI shapefile format for the NOAA Fisheries Service’s Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO). This shapefile includes boundaries for the following Regulated Areas: - Critical Habitat for North Atlantic Right Whale Unit 1 - Critical Habitat for North Atlantic Right Whale Unit 2. Please Note: Unit 1, in the Gulf of Maine, falls under the jurisdiction of the NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Region. Unit 2, off the southeastern US coast, falls under the jurisdiction of the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Region. Because GIS projection and topology functions can change or generalize coordinates, these GIS files are considered to be approximate representations and are NOT an OFFICIAL record for the exact regulated area boundaries. For information on the official legal definition refer to the Use Constraints metadata section.
Purpose:
Beginning in 2010 and in response to mounting requests for digital depictions of NMFS Regulated Areas in Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast Waters (Regulated Areas), the NMFS Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO) Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Committee launched a project to standardize the development, publication and regular updating of GIS files depicting Regulated Area boundaries. This dataset is a product of that initiative. This dataset was created to depict the boundaries of NMFS Regulated Areas in Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast Waters (Regulated Areas) only. For information on the proper use of the dataset refer to the Use Constraints metadata section.
Supplemental_Information:
Unit 1, in the Gulf of Maine, falls under the jurisdiction of the NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Region. Unit 2, off the southeastern US coast, falls under the jurisdiction of the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Region.
Status:
Progress: Complete
Maintenance_and_Update_Frequency: As needed
Spatial_Domain:
Bounding_Coordinates:
West_Bounding_Coordinate: -83
East_Bounding_Coordinate: -64
North_Bounding_Coordinate: 46
South_Bounding_Coordinate: 23
Keywords:
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: GARFO Keywords
Theme_Keyword: Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office
Theme_Keyword: National Marine Fisheries Service
Theme_Keyword: Endangered Species Act
Theme_Keyword: US EEZ
Theme_Keyword: Critical Habitat
Theme_Keyword: North Atlantic Right Whale
Theme_Keyword: GARFO
Theme_Keyword: Atlantic
Theme_Keyword: EEZ
Theme_Keyword: NMFS
Theme_Keyword: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Theme_Keyword: ESA
Theme_Keyword: NOAA
Theme_Keyword: Southeast Regional Office
Theme_Keyword: Exclusive Economic Zone
Theme_Keyword: SERO
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Category
Theme_Keyword: location
Theme_Keyword: planningCadastre
Theme_Keyword: oceans
Theme_Keyword: boundaries
Theme_Keyword: environment
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: EPA GIS Keyword Thesaurus
Theme_Keyword: Permits
Theme_Keyword: Ecosystem
Theme_Keyword: Regulatory
Theme_Keyword: Human
Theme_Keyword: Natural Resources
Theme_Keyword: Monitoring
Theme_Keyword: Environment
Theme_Keyword: Ecology
Theme_Keyword: Water
Theme_Keyword: Biology
Theme_Keyword: Compliance
Theme_Keyword: Marine
Theme_Keyword: Conservation
Theme_Keyword: Management
Theme:
Theme_Keyword_Thesaurus: ISO 19115 Topic Categories
Theme_Keyword: location
Theme_Keyword: planningCadastre
Theme_Keyword: oceans
Theme_Keyword: environment
Theme_Keyword: boundaries
Place:
Place_Keyword_Thesaurus: None
Place_Keyword: Greater Atlantic Region
Place_Keyword: Atlantic Ocean
Place_Keyword: Florida
Place_Keyword: United States
Place_Keyword: US EEZ
Place_Keyword: North Carolina
Place_Keyword: Georges Bank
Place_Keyword: Cape Cod Bay
Place_Keyword: Southern New England
Place_Keyword: Southeast
Place_Keyword: Gulf of Maine
Place_Keyword: Cape Fear
Place_Keyword: US Exclusive Economic Zone
Place_Keyword: Georgia
Place_Keyword: New England
Place_Keyword: Cape Canaveral
Place_Keyword: South Carolina
Access_Constraints: None
Use_Constraints:
*** Attribution *** Whenever NMFS material is reproduced and re-disseminated, we request that users attribute the material appropriately. Pursuant to 17 U.S.C. 403, parties who produce copyrighted works consisting predominantly of material created by the Federal Government are encouraged to provide notice with such work(s) identifying the U.S. Government material incorporated and stating that such material is not subject to copyright protection. Please cite Regulated Area datasets as follows, with the appropriate information substituted for all text in {CURLY BRACKETS}: NOAA Fisheries Service. NMFS Regulated Areas in Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Waters. {SHAPEFILE TITLE} [Shapefile]. Gloucester, MA: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO) [producer] {SHAPEFILE PUBLICATION DATE}. <http://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/gis>. *** No Warranty*** The user assumes the entire risk related to its use of these data. NMFS is providing these data "as is," and NMFS disclaims any and all warranties, whether express or implied, including (without limitation) any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the accuracy or utility of the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. It is strongly recommended that careful attention be paid to the contents of the metadata file associated with these data to evaluate dataset limitations, restrictions or intended use. In no event will NMFS be liable to you or to any third party for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special or exemplary damages or lost profit resulting from any use or misuse of this data. *** Proper Usage *** The information on government servers are in the public domain, unless specifically annotated otherwise, and may be used freely by the public. Before using information obtained from this server, special attention should be given to the date and time of the data and products being displayed. This information shall not be modified in content and then presented as official government material. This dataset was created to depict the boundaries of NMFS Regulated Areas in Northeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Southeast Waters (Regulated Areas) only. The dataset should not be used for a legal definition. The dataset should not be used to infer information regarding the existence or details of other marine features or resources, including, but not limited to, navigable waters, coastlines, bathymetry, submerged features, or man-made structures. Users assume responsibility for determining the appropriate use of this dataset. *** Not the Legal Definition *** This Geographic Information System (GIS) dataset is not the legal definition of the Regulated Area. The description published in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations is the only legal definition. This dataset and metadata document provide a broad overview of a subset of applicable fishing regulations, restrictions and requirements; it is not a substitute for the actual regulations. Users are encouraged to read the applicable regulations in conjunction with use of this dataset. *** Temporal Considerations *** Regulated Area boundary definitions are subject to change or modification. Published datasets may represent historic, current, or future Regulated Areas. When changes to fishing regulations affect this dataset, it will be archived and replaced by an updated version as soon as feasible. Approved Regulated Area boundaries may also be published prior to their effective date. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure the applicable Regulated Area boundaries are being used. *** Shorelines/Base Layers *** The accuracy of this dataset is dependent upon the accuracy and resolution of the datasets (e.g., shoreline, bathymetry, shared administrative boundaries) used in the creation process. Source datasets used are specified in the metadata. These data sources were selected for their suitability to a broad audience, and may not be suitable for specific uses requiring higher-resolution information. Coastlines change. Unless otherwise noted, where the NOAA Medium Resolution Shoreline is used, assume the regulatory boundary reaches the most current coastline delineation available.
Point_of_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization:
NOAA Fisheries Service Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, Protected Resources Division
Contact_Person: Michael Asaro
Contact_Position: GIS Committee Protected Resources Representative
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: unknown
Address: 55 Great Republic Drive
City: Gloucester
State_or_Province: MA
Postal_Code: 01930
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 978-282-8469
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 978-281-9394
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: michael.asaro@noaa.gov
Contact_Instructions: <http://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/>
Point_of_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization:
NOAA Fisheries Service Southeast Regional Office, Protected Resources Division
Contact_Person: Barb Zoodsma
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: unknown
Address: 2382 Sadler Rd
City: Fernandina Beach
State_or_Province: FL
Postal_Code: 32034
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 904-321-2806
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: barb.zoodsma@noaa.gov
Contact_Instructions: <http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/>
Security_Information:
Security_Classification_System: FIPS Pub 199
Security_Handling_Description: Standard Technical Controls
Native_Data_Set_Environment:
Microsoft Windows 7 Version 6.1 (Build 7601) Service Pack 1; Esri ArcGIS 10.3.1.4959

Data_Quality_Information:
Logical_Consistency_Report: Check Geometry test has been performed in ArcGIS.
Completeness_Report:
Features represented are valid. No geometry problems were detected.
Positional_Accuracy:
Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy:
Horizontal_Positional_Accuracy_Report:
Data were collected using methods that are accurate to within 2-5 meters (EPA National Geospatial Data Policy [NGDP] Accuracy Tier 2). For more information, please see EPA's NGDP at <http://epa.gov/geospatial/policies.html>
Lineage:
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator:
Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), Special Projects (SP)
Publication_Date: 19980101
Title:
NOAA's Medium Resolution Digital Vector Shoreline (1998) for the Contiguous United States
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: map
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Silver Spring, MD
Publisher: NOAA's Ocean Service, Special Projects (SP)
Source_Scale_Denominator: 70000
Type_of_Source_Media: None
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: NOAA Medium Resolution Shoreline
Source_Contribution:
This source shoreline was used to generate template shapefiles, which were copied and used when Regulatory Area boundaries followed portions of the US Atlantic coastline. This data source was selected for its suitability to a broad audience, and may not be suitable for specific uses requiring higher-resolution information. Coastlines change. Unless otherwise noted, where the NOAA Medium Resolution Shoreline is used, assume the regulatory boundary reaches the most current coastline delineation available.
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator:
Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Publication_Date: 20100101
Title: Collision Regulations Boundary
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: map
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Charleston, SC
Publisher: NOAA's Ocean Service, Coastal Services Center (CSC)
Type_of_Source_Media: None
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: COLREGS
Source_Contribution: This boundary was used for delineating the COLREGS boundaries.
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator:
Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), Office of Coast Survey (OCS)
Publication_Date: 20110501
Title: USMaritimeLimitsNBoundaries
Edition: 1
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: map
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Silver Spring, MD
Publisher: NOAA's Ocean Service, Office of Coast Survey (OCS)
Type_of_Source_Media: None
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: US EEZ
Source_Contribution:
This source marine boundary was used to generate template shapefiles, which were copied and used when Regulatory Area boundaries followed portions of the US Exclusive Economic Zone.
Source_Information:
Source_Citation:
Citation_Information:
Originator:
Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
Publication_Date: 20160127
Title: Electronic Code of Federal Regulations
Edition: Special Edition of the Federal Register
Geospatial_Data_Presentation_Form: document
Publication_Information:
Publication_Place: Washington, DC
Publisher:
Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration and the Government Printing Office
Other_Citation_Details:
The Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR) is a current, daily updated version of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). It is not an official legal edition of the CFR. The e-CFR is an unofficial editorial compilation of CFR material and Federal Register amendments. Because the e-CFR is updated daily, the PUBLICATION DATE identified above refers to "e-CFR Data is current as of" date posted on the e-CFR website at the time the spatial definition was accessed online.
Type_of_Source_Media: None
Source_Citation_Abbreviation: e-CFR
Source_Contribution: Spatial definitions for Regulated Area boundaries.
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
[Template Generation] Many NMFS Regulated Areas in Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Waters (Regulated Areas) share boundaries that are partially coincident with any combination of the following: 1) the U.S. Atlantic coastline; 2) the Submerged Lands Act boundary; 3) the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary in the Gulf of Maine; 4) the outward extent of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (a.k.a. the "200-nautical mile line"). To standardize Regulated Area features sharing these boundaries, published shapefiles of the shared administrative boundaries were obtained from the authoritative agencies. A shoreline was selected that was suitable for general mapping purposes, freely and publicly available, of medium-resolution, and covering the extent of the U.S.. When necessary, the boundaries were transformed to NAD83. A series of template polygon shapefiles were then generated, using these authoritative boundaries as the outward extents of the polygon. All templates were generated in NAD83 geographic coordinate system. The templates created are: 1) Coast-to-EEZ: bounded by the coastline, the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary, the U.S. EEZ, and 81°W longitude off the southern extent of Florida (an arbitrary cut-off for the Atlantic); 2) Coast-to-SLA: bounded by the coastline, the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary, the Submerged Lands Act boundary, and 81°W longitude off the southern extent of Florida; 3) SLA-to-EEZ: bounded by the Submerged Lands Act boundary, the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary, the U.S. EEZ, and 81°W longitude off the southern extent of Florida. These templates were subsequently copied and edited, as needed by the Regulated Area spatial definitions.
Process_Date: 20130101
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
[Add Attributes] The standardized attribute schema was applied to the shapefile, and the fields were defined.
Process_Date: 20160101
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
[COLREGS] Where specified in the Regulated Area definition, inshore and offshore waters were separated following COLREGS lines. These inlet/bay crossings were drawn after consulting a combination of a) the COLREGS definitions in 33 CFR 80, b) the NOAA Coastal Services Center COLREGS shapefile, and c) the NOAA Medium Resolution Shoreline shapefile because COLREGS lines described by a single source may not always fully cross the specified waterway as depicted by the source shoreline data set.
Process_Date: 20160101
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
[Combine Features] The Unit 1 (produced by the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office) and Unit 2 (produced by the Southeast Regional Office) boundaries were merged into a single shapefile.
Process_Date: 20160101
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
[Check Geometry] The ESRI ArcGIS Check Geometry tool was run on the shapefile to identify any geometry problems. If problems were encountered, they were reviewed and corrected.
Process_Date: 20160101
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
[Final Review] The shapefile was reviewed by members of the GARFO GIS Committee, policy experts from the GARFO Division responsible for the Regulated Area, and General Counsel, according to the GARFO GIS Data Distribution Policy.
Process_Date: 20160101
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
[Features From Templates] The Coast-to-EEZ template shapefile was copied and projected to NAD83 Mercator Projection. The coordinates of the Regulated Area definition were transferred to a spreadsheet, converted to Decimal Degrees, plotted as a point shapefile in NAD83, and then projected to NAD83 Mercator Projection. To generate the Regulated Area boundary in ArcGIS, the template polygon was split by connecting these points in the order specified in the spatial definition. When the spatial definition specified that points were connected by following the Coastline, the coinciding outward extent of the template polygon was used. When the spatial definition specified that points were connected by following a straight line, rhumb lines were constructed. As an exception, points intended to fall along the U.S.-Canada Maritime Boundary were connected by following the geodesic line that legally defines that international boundary. After all points were appropriately connected, any portions of the template outside the defined Regulated Area were discarded. When multiple Regulated Areas are a part of a larger grouping of related Regulated Areas, these steps were repeated to generate a unique feature for each Regulated Area and the features were then combined into a single shapefile. The boundaries were densified with consecutive vertices spaced no more than 10 nautical miles apart, to preserve rhumb line paths in other coordinate systems. The file was projected back to the un-projected NAD83 coordinate system.
Process_Date: 20160101
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
[Get Definition Text] The current legal spatial definition for the Regulated Area was copied from the e-CFR website.
Process_Date: 20160101
Process_Step:
Process_Description:
[Publication] The shapefile, with accompanying metadata, was uploaded for public download on the NOAA NMFS GARFO GIS website.
Process_Date: 20160126

Spatial_Data_Organization_Information:
Direct_Spatial_Reference_Method: Vector
Point_and_Vector_Object_Information:
SDTS_Terms_Description:
SDTS_Point_and_Vector_Object_Type: Complete chain
Point_and_Vector_Object_Count: 2

Metadata_Reference_Information:
Metadata_Date: 20160126
Metadata_Future_Review_Date: 20200126
Metadata_Contact:
Contact_Information:
Contact_Organization_Primary:
Contact_Organization:
NOAA Fisheries Service Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, GIS Committee
Contact_Person: Dean-Lorenz Szumylo
Contact_Position: GIS Specialist
Contact_Address:
Address_Type: unknown
Address: 55 Great Republic Drive
City: Gloucester
State_or_Province: MA
Postal_Code: 01930
Contact_Voice_Telephone: 978-282-8479
Contact_Facsimile_Telephone: 978-281-9333
Contact_Electronic_Mail_Address: dean.szumylo@noaa.gov
Contact_Instructions: <http://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/>
Metadata_Standard_Name: FGDC Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata
Metadata_Standard_Version: FGDC-STD-001-1998
Metadata_Time_Convention: local time

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