615 Marine Habitat Mapping Technology Workshop for Alaska

There is a need, however, for a synthesis approach in which experts in the various aspects of marine habitat mapping identify the key issues, evaluate technologies and techniques available to address them and those that are in development, and present the results in a form that can be used to educate managers and other interested parties. This synthesis may serve as a reference to aid in matching needs with the tools for specific marine habitat mapping programs.

We will conduct a workshop on the topic of marine habitat mapping technologies, emphasizing: (a) available tools and techniques; (b) methodologies for classifying seafloor habitats; (c) a synthesis approach, to aid those who are not experts in the field; (d) a focus on needs specifically in the three large marine ecosystems around Alaska, i.e., Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands, and Arctic; and (e) a workshop format that includes and educates a wide range of interested groups such as local community leaders, commercial fishing organizations, and NGOs.

The workshop format will serve both the wider community and the managers/researchers who need specific technical knowledge about marine habitat mapping.