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ICAN is a community of practice of organizations who have been meeting over the past two years to scope and implement data interoperability approaches to coastal web atlases (CWAs). The mission/strategic aim of ICAN is to share experiences and to find common solutions to CWA development (e.g., user and developer guides, handbooks and articles on best practices, information on standards and web services, expertise and technical support directories, education, outreach, and funding opportunities, etc.), while ensuring maximum relevance and added value for the end users.

ICAN Newsletters

ICAN Newsletters

The Newsletter of the International Coastal Atlas Network is published twice a year, in March and September. Articles are solicited and should be sent to Andrew Sherin, Editor at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by the first day of the month of publication. Previously published newsletters are available at www.oceandocs.org in the ICAN Newsletter Collection or by following the links below.

Volume 1

ICAN Newsletter March 2012

ICAN Newsletter September 2012

Volume 2

ICAN Newsletter March 2013

ICAN Newsletter September 2013

Volume 3

ICAN Newsletter March 2014 

ICAN Newsletter September 2014 

Volume 4

ICAN Newsletter March 2015 

ICAN Newsletter December 2015

Volume 5

ICAN Newsletter March 2016 

 

 

 

  

ICAN 9 : Detailed Agenda (English)

ICAN 9: Local to Global
Benefits of Coastal Web Atlas Sharing & Connectivity

September 27 - 29, 2021

2pm-5pm UTC

Workshop is FREE and available LIVE in English, Spanish, Portuguese, French

**NOTE** All times are approximate, as organizers may need to adjust the agenda as circumstances arise.

 

ICAN 8: Ísafjörður, Iceland

On Friday 28 September 2018 ICAN hosted a mini-workshop at the CoastGIS 2018 conference in Ísafjörður, Iceland.

 

The mini-workshop program featured presentations on recent ICAN member activities around the world, and a brainstorming session on the theme of “How can ICAN and CWA operators contribute to United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 and the UN Decade of Ocean Science?” Presenters included:

• Kathrin Kopke, University College Cork, Ireland
• David Hart, University of Wisconsin Sea Grant, USA
• Anja Kreiner, National Information and Research Centre, Namibia
• Francisco Arias, INVEMAR, Columbia
• Kathy Belpaeme, Provincie West-Vlaanderen, Belgium

After presentations, the room broke into 4 groups for focused discussion on the topics presented, and participants documented their discussions.

Read more ...

ICAN 7: Cape Town, South Africa

The 7th workshop for the International Coastal Atlas Network was held in Cape Town, South Africa on 19-20 April 2015. The focus was presentations on the theme Coastal Web Atlases – Supporting Ecosystem Based Management with a special emphasis on ICAN activities in Africa.

 

Two mini-workshops were also held:

• Connecting Atlases – Implementing Semantic Interoperability and Data Accessibility Self-Assessment, and
  
  
• Interacting with Users

The 2nd Session of the ICAN Steering Group for IODE was held after the workshop. The final report from ICAN 7 will appear in the next issue of this newsletter.

ICAN 6 : British Columbia

Ned Dwyer & Kathrin Kopke

The 6th ICAN workshop, entitled Expanding Participation in Coastal Web Atlas Development and Use was hosted by the University of Victoria, Canada on 16-17 June 2013.

Dr. Rosaline Canessa and her team in the Department of Geography welcomed over 30 ICAN workshop participants to the beautiful UVic campus, offering traditional British Columbia hospitality during our stay. It was great to meet friends and colleagues who have been contributing to ICAN for a number of years and it was extremely encouraging to see new faces and make new connections over the two days.

In addition to establishing formally the IODE ICAN Project Steering Group and developing and consolidating elements of the work plan for 2013 to 2015, the workshop was conducted under a number of thematic sessions. 

• Coastal Atlas Training Needs and Opportunities
• Building Synergies with IOC projects & related Initiatives \
• Atlas Stories and Progress in expanding the network (focus on Eastern Pacific)
• Adding your Atlas to the International Web Atlas Portal
• Data Integration Platforms (including volunteered geographical information)

In the vibrant discussion that took place in the formal sessions as well as in some of Victoria’s many restaurants and bars; it became clear that the skills and expertise of ICAN members are of great relevance in the development of coastal information systems. Taking advantage of such capacity and knowledge to not only progress ICAN objectives but also assist other relevant IOC initiatives including the Integrated Coastal Area Management programme and reaching out to activities outside of IOC such as those of the Coastal Zone Community of Practice of GEO have emerged as ICAN priorities in the coming months and years. The participation of  Hans-Peter Plag of CZCP resulted in an invitation for ICAN to participate in the next meeting of the CZCP that was held in College Park, Maryland on 27-28 August 2013.

All the workshop presentations can be found at http://ican.science.oregonstate.edu/en/ican6_prog  and a full workshop report will be published later in 2013.

Maryland DNR Coastal Atlas

by George Edmonds Jr.  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The updated Coastal Atlas Site is an online mapping and planning site that allows state and local decision-makers to visually analyze and explore data for coastal and ocean planning activities. From this platform a user can visualize, query, map, and analyze coastal data to better manage Maryland's marine and estuarine resources.  Map layers include standard data which supports decision-making for future ocean, near-shore and estuarine activities by highlighting current uses, resources, and risks.  New map layers and tools are continually added to the atlas with the newest group of Map service layers being added for Beneficial Use datasets which are available for viewing and analysis now. 

The Portal links to three main products include the Interactive Mapper, iMap Open Data Portal and the GIS Catalog plus several digital assistance product sites.  These digital data products include Map Stories, Step by Step Guides and links to other key geospatial data hosting locations.  The Coastal Atlas has an Add Data widget that allows users to bring in other mapped data from multiple formats including Third Party map services and local spatial datasets.

Figure 1: The Main Page for the Maryland Chesapeake and Coastal Service
(https://dnr.maryland.gov/ccs)

Interactive Mapper

The interactive mapper Coastal Atlas, a customized ESRI Web Application Builder app, can be launched from the Coastal Atlas main URL page. Online tools for the Coastal Atlas have been developed to support better decision-making and address specific coastal issues.  Users can use the measuring tool to measure shoreline fetch, the draw tool to draw a box around a specific area, or the identify tool to get more information about the data to highlight to mention just a few.  Users can also work with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) to generate targeting queries that help specific users to narrow spatial data for focus areas. The Atlas offers many tools to assist users in understanding and analyzing detailed geospatial data residing on the map application.  The Transect Tool can be used to calculate the amount of shoreline erosion using the Rates of Change dataset values for a location of interest in the Chesapeake Bay. MDNR and the Maryland Geological Survey (MGS) collaborated on the research, analysis and integration of that modeled data. There are several ways to launch the Coastal Atlas from the main page seen above.

The technology facilitated is ESRI Web Application Builder (WAB) platform which is used to build and customize the Maryland Coastal Atlas Interactive Map.  The Maryland iMap hosts ESRI REST map service from an SQL based Enterprise GIS that can be easily consumed by a JSON based map application. The Maryland Coastal Atlas layers include key mapped datasets such as Bathymetry, Blue Infrastructure, Coastal Resiliency Assessment, Living Resources, Parcel Boundaries, and SAV (submerged aquatic vegetation) Last 5 Years.  Most of the layers are there to compliment the planning tools that can aid in evaluating the feasibility and social or environmental benefits of resiliency and many other types of projects. 

Open Data Portal

The Open Data Portal offer numerous, additional geographic and non-geographic data sets, available for users to search. Built-in tools allow for visualization of the data in a table, graph or map format. The Portal is managed by Department of Information Technology (DoIT) with contributions from many Maryland State agencies. And again, the use of the Add Data Tool allows for other Third-party map services or even local datasets to be added into the interactive mapper.

GIS Catalog

The Maryland GIS Data Catalog  has a Quick search capability for the latest data and geographic content from Maryland contributors. Use keyword or geographic searches to find and quickly display content. Also, the capability to download data into multiple formats or access via APIs for local use is possible.

Additionally, there are tools for accessing state Imagery, Lidar and data downloads.  Map Service information and links are available to all the Map layers offered by the State of Maryland’s iMap with comprehensive Metadata for the spatial data.

There are several types of digital assistance for the Coastal Atlas users to facilitate which includes a basic Step by Step Guide for individual tools/widgets, Contact Us form for questions or concerns and Map Stories showing projects which have used the Atlas for spatial planning.

Stories

The Atlas Map Stories are case studies of work that has been done and some which are ongoing that show how the Coastal Atlas offers tools for strategic project planning.  The Map Stories include Coastal Resiliency, Land Conservation, Recreational planning, Working Waterfronts and the newest Beneficial Use (BUILD).  More planning resources expect to be added as the Coastal Atlas continues to be retooled and facilitated over time.

Figure 2: Image from the Maryland Coastal Atlas showing
part of the list of data layers available to the user

BUILD Tool

Aptly named, The Beneficial Use:  Identify locations for Dredge, aka. BUILD tool is the newest addition to the Coastal Atlas line of planning resources. BUILD is a set of online mapping layers in the Maryland Coastal Atlas that are intended to enable spatial, temporal, and physical identification of beneficial uses with dredging projects.  BUILD can be used to proactively identify beneficial use opportunities to provide environmental and resiliency benefits, while simultaneously reducing material transportation and fill costs.  To learn more about how BUILD has been used to identify beneficial use projects, visit the BUILDing Resilience story map.

Some examples and excerpts, available online, mentioned here of Beneficial Use Digital Assistance:

"To ensure that the environmental benefits uphold the financial benefits, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) published the Innovative Reuse and Beneficial Use Guidance Document, which provides guidance on the implementation of and physical and chemical standards for using dredged material in innovative reuse or beneficial use projects.

Similarly, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) is pursuing the beneficial use initiative through the development of: https://dnr.maryland.gov/ccs/Pages/beneficial-use.aspx

1. A policy and guidance
2. On-the-ground implementation of beneficial use projects
3. Decision-support tools to aid project planning and to overcome the associated hurdles
4. Map Stories of people using Beneficial Use planning tool: https://maryland.maps.arcgis.com/apps/MapSeries/index.html?appid=c76b3b66b57747c6aca654a33db68f0a

Before using BUILD, review the MDNR policy, "Dredged Material Placement on Resources Managed by the Department of Natural Resources", and MDNR process, "Beneficial Use of Dredged Material Planning Process".  If a beneficial use project is identified, review the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) document, "Innovative Reuse and Beneficial Use Guidance Document”, to assess dredged material chemical and physical appropriateness for the identified placement use. "

The Coastal Atlas has several things in place to derive key Feedback from users which includes indirect collection with Google Analytics (GA) and a more direct approach with a user Survey. Below are example images of some of the reports on the Atlas from Basic GA which is embedded in both the main launch page and the application itself.

Maryland  Coastal Atlas Google Analytics (GA) Feedback Numbers Reports:

The Coastal Atlas Survey is facilitated through the Maryland State Standard platform Survey Select and is available on the Coast Atlas Main page along with a Contact Us option.  The Contact Us can be used to get information from users or for users to ask questions about the Atlas and report errors.  There is also a Contact Us button within the Atlas interactive Mapping application so users can report an error and drop in a screen shot of the exact error message.

Future directions for the Coastal Atlas will be to continue to revamp or redevelop the app to better suit the needs of the users.  There is always a need to get better and more current map layer service data to replace or enhance the mapping datasets available on the Maryland Coastal Atlas. New initiatives for the Atlas include the addition of the Climate Ready Action Boundary (CRAB) data which designates mapped areas that fall within climate change affected locations.  These locations could be more vulnerable or affected by flooding, sea level rise, storm surge and other climate change related environmental factors. Additionally, Chesapeake Bay coastal economic benefits data is also currently in the works to be put on the Coastal Atlas.

The creation of the Coastal Atlas has faced many challenges since its inception and with that several lessons learned throughout the process. The Coastal Atlas has had, in the past, many more tools and datasets that caused the application to be unwieldy. However, there is always a need for datasets that are a priority for planners and others to perform analysis or create maps for project work throughout the state of Maryland.  The challenge is to balance those needs without overwhelming an application to the point it is no longer user friendly. 

BUILD Data Layers

Living Shorelines Dredging Projects Cooperative	Orange points - Waterways Improvement Fund upcoming dredging projects. Provide information on sediment type, DMP access, public land access, and approximate dredging schedule. These are updated when WIF projects are funded in April. Blue points - Indicate potential shoreline restoration projects identified by the Center for Habitat Restoration and Conservation. Provide information on the project scope, sand needs, and estimated project cost. These are updated when new restoration projects are identified.
Distance Buffers	Two (grey) and four (green) mile radii can be added to the Waterways Improvement Fund upcoming dredging projects. These are the distances that dredged material can be reasonably hydraulically dredged.
Lost Islands	Pink points - Footprints of lost islands that have been identified by Wildlife and Heritage Service as potential island restoration projects that would benefit Maryland’s endangered waterbirds. These are updated when new island restoration projects are identified.
Boating Projects	Provides detailed depth survey data for shallow water channels that MDNR has investigated (ReconSurvey, blue). Additionally, indicates locations of county DMPs (pink), tide board sites (red), Federal channels (COE channels, grey), and MDNR dredging projects (Dredge Project, yellow). These are updated when new projects are dredged or channels are surveyed.

Figure 3: Maryland  Coastal Atlas Google Analytics (GA) Feedback Audience Numbers Reports

Lessons Learned

One big lesson learned is the need for Feedback through surveys, etc. before the troubleshooting or complaints start to roll in.  We will continue finding ways to unobtrusively gain responses about the Coastal Atlas from those who use the application regularly.  The latter helps to determine the types of data and custom tools needed for the atlas. 

A different kind of mapping

This website (https://www.sdgmapping.ch/) is the second edition of the SDG mapping, which aims to interactively visualize the results of the second SDG survey that documents the expertise of organizations relevant to each SDG. About 100 actors participated in the survey and interactive mapping. They self-assessed their expertise as core, generic or non-applicable in 10 different areas for each SDG. UNESCO, the parent organization for ICAN, has contributed to the survey for SDG 14.

Figure 1: Part of the infographic for SDG 14 Life under water generated interactively from the sdgmapping website.

Choosing and Engaging with Citizen Generated Data

The Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data, Open Knowledge International and Public Data Lab have published a guide for Citizen Generated Data (CDG) for use by governments, international organizations and others interested in developing, engaging with and supporting CGD initiatives.

The guide describes six (6) steps:

1. Define the goals and scope of the initiative.
2. Clarify what CGD approach is useful for your the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data purpose.
3. Clarify how the participation of people will help,
4. What resources are available to support CGD.
5. Making Citizen Generated Data public.
6. Consider risks, responsible data use and protection.

The guide also has suggested further reading, links to existing CGD tools and  a list of over 200 CGD initiatives.  

 

Glocal Fishing Watch

The Global Fishing Watch (GFW) (globalfishingwatch.org) advances ocean governance through increased transparency of human activity at sea.

By creating and publicly sharing map visualizations, data and analysis tools, GFW enables scientific research and drive a transformation in how we manage our ocean.

By 2030, GFW aims to monitor and visualize the impact of ocean-going vessels, both industrial and small-scale, that are responsible for the vast majority of the global seafood catch.

How do they Do it?

Global Fishing Watch makes vessel tracking information available to all through our interactive online map and downloadable data. Anyone with an internet connection can trace the movements of more than 65,000 commercial fishing boats, along with their name and flag state, in near real time: our data shows all activity from 1 January 2012 until 72 hours ago. You don’t need to be an expert to use the platform, any more than you need to know about complex algorithms to use a search engine: it’s aimed at members of the public and journalists as much as researchers, campaigners and governments. Users can create heat maps to see patterns of commercial fishing activity, view tracks of individual vessels and overlay information like the locations of marine protected areas or different countries’ exclusive economic zones (EEZ). General outline of process steps:

1. Harvest vessel tracking data from several automatic identification systems (AIS).
2. Process the data using neural networks to extract relevant fishing activity.
3. Share the results through the interactive map and downloadable data.

 
Figure 1: Map from Global Fishing Watch showing 6 months of fishing activity ending 14 December 2020 in south west Indian Ocean.

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