ICAN supports ACMA migration to GeoNode

The African Coastal and Marine Atlas (ACMA) editorial team supported by Greg Reed from IODE, Tanya Haddad, ICAN Technical team, and Carlos Oliveros from the Caribbean Marine Atlas, held a meeting in November 2017 to discuss the migration of ACMA to a new content management system using the open source software GeoNode. As this new system would be more functional and sustainable for marine spatial planning than the existing ACMA, the Marine Spatial Management and Governance Project (MARISMA) supported the development of GeoNode for the Benguela Current Convention and its member states (Angola, Namibia and South Africa), using the data layers from ACMA as baseline and additional relevant national/regional spatial data.

From 12 to 16 March 2018 MARISMA together with IOC/Africa hosted a GeoNode workshop in Swakopmund, Namibia. The objective of the workshop was to start with the migration of the African Coastal and Marine Atlas to the new GeoNode platform. Greg Reed and Tanya Haddad joined participants from Angola, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, Madagascar, Namibia, Nigeria and Tunisia to provide training and advice. After installing GeoNode on all laptops, the first two days were spent on training and customizing the look and feel of GeoNode. During the remaining three days participants uploaded and standardized their country and region layers.

The Ecosystem Advisory Committee of the Benguela Current Convention (BCC) has approved the request to host GeoNode by the BCC Secretariat for the member states. In 2019 the data and information of the Current Status Report, compiled by the Namibian MSP National Working Group and MARISMA as well as relevant data and information compiled by the Angolan MSP Working Group will be uploaded and made available online.

Photos: top; Group photo of workshop participants; above; Workshop participants hard at work with Photo credit: Anja Kreiner

United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development

What is the UN Decade of Ocean Science?

The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) is an initiative launched by the UN in December 2017. It seeks to drawn attention to the importance of ocean science data and information in the management decisions that will help the world make progress to the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 14 – the ocean sustainability goal. The Decade will start in 2021, and planning for the decade will occur in the 2018-2020 time period. The IOC has been tasked by the UN General Assembly to work with all interested stakeholders to design a “Decade of Ocean Science” that will help us to deliver the ocean we need for the future we want.

What is the aim of the Decade of Ocean Science?

The objective of the Decade is to strengthen the international cooperation needed to develop the scientific research and innovative technologies that can connect ocean science with the needs of society, and to support countries in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Decade will require the engagement of many different stakeholders to create new ideas, solutions, partnerships and applications, these include: scientists, governments, academics, policy makers, business, industry and civil society.

What will the Ocean Decade focus on as Research & Development Priority Areas?

The Decade will provide a framework for achieving a number of high level outcomes, clustered around:

  • a comprehensive digital atlas of the world
  • a comprehensive ocean observing system for all major basins
  • a quantitative understanding of ocean ecosystems and their functioning as the basis for their management and adaptation
  • a data and information portal supporting the decade outcomes
  • an integrated multi-hazard warning system
  • an ocean in earth-system observation, research and prediction, supported by social and human sciences and economic valuation
  • capacity building and accelerated technology transfer, training and education, and ocean literacy

How will the Decade of Ocean Science achieve its goals?

The Decade is embracing a participative process so that scientists, policy makers, managers, and service users can work together to ensure that ocean science delivers greater benefits for both the ocean ecosystem and for society. A two way process is envisioned (top down and bottom-up): the objectives and outcomes will be agreed globally and every group and region of the world will support them. The bottom-up process will be established so as to allow for the regional or even local definition of these outcomes and objectives, with the formulation of scientific products, activities and partnerships that could be proposed in the context of the Decade.

Overall the Decade will mobilize resources towards:

  • TRANSFORMING - knowledge systems to support sustainable development
  • BOLSTERING - ocean observing and data systems
  • MEASURING - cumulative impacts for effective solutions
  • DELIVERING - best available knowledge to decision-makers
  • REDUCING - vulnerability to ocean and coastal hazards
  • ACCELERATING - transfer of marine technology, training and education

What Does the Ocean Decade Mean For You?

The success of the Decade will rely on the contributions of many different stakeholders including scientists, policy-makers, civil society, funders and the private sector. It will support a new cooperative framework to ensure that global ocean science provides greater benefits for ocean ecosystems and wider society. One hoped for outcome will be improvements in alignment between investments and high impact ocean science connections to management. Another is that the Decade will open up access to tools, information and investment needed to create solutions for ocean sustainability.

How can you help?

During the planning phase (right now!) of the Decade a call for inputs and contributions towards the planning phase of the Decade will be launched including opportunities to:

  • Contribute to the Planning Process by submitting ideas or participate in Decade dedicated workshops and / or host and organize events.
  • Consult stakeholders, communicate about the Decade and identify opportunities for investment and resource mobilization.
  • Provide staff and/or financial support.
  • Help the IOC and its preparatory activities.
  • Communicate about the Decade by sharing the purpose and expected results of the Decade, its planning phase and preparatory activities.

Progress of Sustainable Development Goal 14 in 2018

Advancing the sustainable use and conservation of the oceans continues to require effective strategies and management to combat the adverse effects of overfishing, growing ocean acidification and worsening coastal eutrophication. The expansion of protected areas for marine biodiversity, intensification of research capacity and increases in ocean science funding remain critically important to preserve marine resources.

The global share of marine fish stocks that are within biologically sustainable levels declined from 90 per cent in 1974 to 69 per cent in 2013.

Studies at open ocean and coastal sites around the world show that current levels of marine acidity have increased by about 26 per cent on average since the start of the Industrial Revolution. Moreover, marine life is being exposed to conditions outside previously experienced natural variability.

Global trends point to continued deterioration of coastal waters due to pollution and eutrophication. Without concerted efforts, coastal eutrophication is expected to increase in 20 per cent of large marine ecosystems by 2050.

As of January 2018, 16 per cent (or over 22 million square kilometres) of marine waters under national jurisdiction—that is, 0 to 200 nautical miles from shore—were covered by protected areas. This is more than double the 2010 coverage level. The mean coverage of marine key biodiversity areas (KBAs) that are protected has also increased—from 30 per cent in 2000 to 44 per cent in 2018.

Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Under Water

 

Targets

 

Indicators

14.1

By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution

14.1.1

Index of coastal eutrophication and floating plastic debris density

14.2

By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

14.2.1

Proportion of national exclusive economic zones managed using ecosystem-based approaches

14.3

Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels

14.3.1

Average marine acidity (pH) measured at agreed suite of representative sampling stations

14.4

By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics

14.4.1

Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels

14.5

By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information

14.5.1

 
Coverage of protected areas in relation to marine areas

14.6

By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation

14.6.1

Progress by countries in the degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

14.7

By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism

14.7.1

Sustainable fisheries as a percentage of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries

14.A

Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries

14.A.1

Proportion of total research budget allocated to research in the field of marine technology

14.B

Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets

14.B.1

Progress by countries in the degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small-scale fisheries

14.C

Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in UNCLOS, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of The Future We Want

14.C.1

Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nation Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources

UN Sustainable Development Goals

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, provides a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. At its heart are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are an urgent call for action by all countries - developed and developing - in a global partnership. They recognize that ending poverty and other deprivations must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth – all while tackling climate change and working to preserve our oceans and forests.


Sustainable Development Goal 14

Sustainable Development Goal 14 pertains to conservation and sustainable use of the oceans, seas and marine resources. Read more about the status and progress of Goal 14 in 2018 in this article

ICAN at CoastGIS 2018

International Coastal Atlas Network affiliates had a high profile at CoastGIS 2018 in Ísafjördur, Iceland from 27-29 September 2018.

Two affiliates were addressed plenary sessions. David Green, University of Aberdeen is the ICAN contact person for the Living North Sea website. His invited lecture featured low-coast monitoring, mapping and modelling of the coast using UAVs with a focus on the potential of small low-cost, off the shelf platforms and sensors with illustrations. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Louis Celliers, formerly with the CSIR in South Africa, hosted ICAN 7 in Cape Town. He is now with the Climate Service Centre in Germany. His lecture focused on systems thinking and its relationship to geomatics. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Five other affiliates gave presentations in the parallel sessions.

The presentation contributions to CoastGIS 2018 from ICAN affiliates was strengthened by the participation of other ICANers as delegates including Kathrin Kopke, ICAN Steering Group co-chair, Anja Kreiner, ICAN Steering Group member, Francisco Arias, INVEMAR, Columbia and host for ICAN 8 and Kathy Belpaeme, Provincie West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

Overall ICAN made a very significant contribution to CoastGIS 2018. ICAN is grateful to the CoastGIS organizers for including an ICAN workshop to initiate the development of a new ICAN work plan focussed on the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the upcoming Decade for Ocean Science.

Introducing New Members of the ICAN Steering Group

There have been several changes in the ICAN Steering Group following ICAN 8. Marcia Berman, Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences has resigned as co-chair but will remain on the Steering Group. Tanya Haddad, Oregon Coastal Management Program has taken on the responsibilities of co-chair with Kathrin Kopke. New members of the Steering Group are Carolina Garcia Valencia of INVEMAR from Colombia, David Hart, University of Wisconsin Sea Grant and Adam Bode, NOAA both from the USA, and Carlos Torres Navarrete, Universidad Autónama de Baja California, Mexico. Alejandro Iglesias-Campos, IOC; Fernando Félix, Ecuador; Peter Pissierssens, IODE; Anja Kreiner, Namibia; Ned Dwyer, Portugal; Adam Leadbetter, Ireland; Andrus Meiner, European Environment Agency; Lucy Scott; South Africa and Andrew Sherin, Canada remain on the Steering Group.

The Evolution of the Strait of Georgia Data Centre

Terry Curran, P.Eng.

Introduction

In 2012, Dr. Isobel Pearsall convinced the non-profit Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF) management that the organization needed a one-stop location of marine information for the Strait of Georgia, on Canada’s west coast.  This was needed to support policy and decision making by PSF and others.  Furthermore, many researchers were retiring, and there were lots of data in reports that did not have previous wide circulation, and were in danger of being lost.  To that end, a Strait of Georgia Data Centre website was created (http://sogDataCentre.ca ), albeit without data.

Isobel knew I was retiring from the federal Fisheries and Oceans in early 2013, and that I had experience in documenting datasets.  So, the data portion of the Strait of Georgia Data Centre was begun.

Starting to document metadata

We first did a user survey.  Two important results were obtained.  The first was the need for such a repository (Figure 1), and the second was the type of content desired (Figure 2).  In terms of the desired data portal, a significant number of users wanted the larger Salish Sea, which is a cross-border interconnected waterway of the Strait of Georgia, Juan de Fuca Strait and Puget Sound.


Figure 1: Results of the user survey on the need for the Strait of Georgia Data Centre.


We discovered that users wanted access to the large federal scientific datasets, initially for physical parameters (water properties and bathymetry) but also the fishery catch information.  We also discovered there were two clusters of users – those that wanted the data (“modellers”) and those that wanted data layers (“mappers”).  Coincidentally at this time, Canada was joining other major nations to sign onto the Open Data policy.  Prior to that signing, with a few exceptions Canada did not have a culture of automatically releasing data, and data was often either unavailable, or available for a price.  The Open Data Policy in 2013 began to make public service data more available, and that trend continues to this day.


Figure 2: Results of the user survey on the type of content wanted in the Strait of Georgia Data Centre


It was known that a collaborative project titled the British Columbia Marine Conservation Analysis Project (BCMCA) had occurred from 2007 to 2012.  It had pulled together data from the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Environment Canada, the Province of BC, and many other sources to document many of the marine resources for BC.  The process included extensive peer-reviewed datasets organized as data layers, and thus the result was highly regarded.  The project was no longer funded, and some of these layers were publicly available.  We started with that as a basis, and updated the metadata to the ISO-19115 standard.

Summer of 2013

In the summer of 2013, two important events occurred.  The first was becoming aware of ICAN 6, which just happened to be occurring at the local university.  Not entirely certain that I should be attending, I did.  It was a revelation!  I discovered that what the PSF were really doing was building a coastal atlas.  I discovered that groups around the world had done similar things and were significantly further along the learning curve than us.  I discovered it was important to design data systems so that sharing was integral.  And most importantly, I was made welcome by the international attendees.

The second important event in the summer of 2013 occurred when I said “okay – I have successfully converted the BCMCA metadata records to the ISO format, now where do I put them?”  “Over to you” I was told.  Gulp!  After a bit, a virtual server at the University of British Columbia was made available.  Then it was explained that it was in CentOS Linux, which meant it had no graphical user interface.  At this point, I had no knowledge of Linux.  Furthermore, we were told that one accessed the computer remotely using SSH, of which I had no knowledge.  A pretty steep learning curve followed!  Needless to say, the problems were eventually successfully resolved.

Resulting System Design

We were faced with the choice between commercial or Open Source hosting solutions.  At the time we concluded that Open Source was the best approach.  After four years, I think it probably was the best choice for our situation because of implementation flexibility, but now I also believe it is a matter of choice and not of cost.  For many situations, especially when technical support is limited, a full-service commercial solution may be the best choice.


Figure 3: Main screen of the GeoNetwork implementation of the Strait of Georgia Data Centre


Our data system currently uses GeoNetwork as the main hub for metadata, data and documents, and links to GeoServer.  We use Jetty, because a brief test indicated it was slightly faster than Tomcat.  We install the data applications independently.  Both applications use PostgreSQL with the PostGIS spatial extension.  We tried and have used the SOLR search engine, but we do not use it routinely.

The metadata

As mentioned, the metadata is exclusively ISO-19115/19139 compliant.  Although other standards can be supported in GeoNetwork, we have restricted the choice.  We always include a representative thumbnail image. 

Our first choice is to link the metadata to a site with the data if available.  Because we are trying to simultaneously satisfy the modellers and mappers, often we need to have a local copy.  Another reason to link to other websites is to give credit to the original data providers.

We normally use three official thesauri for metadata keywords.  One thesaurus is the DFO place names for Canada.  The other two thesauri are for theme keywords: the Global Change Master Directory, and the Government of Canada.  GeoNetwork searches search to whole metadata record, so we don’t believe these keywords add much, but we do it anyway.

To create the initial draft of the metadata, we use a free application called jNAP (it has some other names as well).  It makes metadata creation very easy, and numerous summer students have quickly learned to use the application. The “j” implies it is written in Java, and the “NAP” means it implements the North American Profile.  The NAP closely follows the ISO standard, with only a few restrictions.  It can accommodate other international thesauri and other profiles.
To validate the metadata before uploading, we use Kernow / Saxon.  jNAP also can validate the records.

Finally, we upload the metadata record with accompanying files to GeoNetwork (http://soggy.zoology.ubc.ca:8080/geonetwork ).  We use the GeoNetwork editor to perform a final validation, and to add the links to external websites, local data, GeoServer links, and the thumbnails.

We currently have about 500 layers, but we do not consider this a useful indicator.  We have chosen to have larger chunks of data, whereas we easily could have made many more records that describe smaller datasets.

Dealing with the PostgreSQL database

We use the PostgreSQL database cluster for metadata and databases.  The virtual machine at the University of BC is in a very secure environment.  One consequence is that the normal graphical user interface used to interface to PostgreSQL (pgAdmin3) cannot be used, and everything is by command line instructions.
We normally receive data as shapefiles or as comma-separated value data.  The shapefiles are fairly easy to handle.  To create database tables for the CSV data, we use a spreadsheet application like Excel to create the column headings and expected format.  We than load the data, and then add indices for speed.
We use several databases for the various sources of data, simply for easy administration.

Our experience with PostgreSQL has been excellent.  We have never had a problem.

GeoServer for data layers

Creating the data layers in GeoServer (http://soggy.zoology.ubc.ca:8080/geoserver ) has been equally straightforward.  On input, it has excellent flexibility in accepting raster and vector data.  On output it handles the re-projection and re-formatting.
We make the layers available as WMS (data images; http://soggy.zoology.ubc.ca:8080/geoserver/wms ), as well as WFS (actual data; http://soggy.zoology.ubc.ca:8080/geoserver/wfs ) if the layer is so suited.

Data sharing

The system has the capability to host both metadata and data layers, but can restrict access to specific users.  This need could arise if there is a paper in progress, or some permissions have not been completely resolved but we do not want the data to be lost.  We do not normally use this feature – our metadata and data is almost always open and downloadable by default.  The metadata data can be easily harvested by other organizations.

Documenting the processes

There are many steps in the creation of a website, and too many to remember exactly.  As a consequence, about twenty processes documenting the steps have been created, following the ISO-9000 format.  A very good analogy is as recipes.  For instance, sometimes there is more than one approach to a process that could be valid.  In fact the ICAN Cookbooks were the initial motivation.  It has been found that processes evolve over time, and it is easy to revise or even discard obsolete processes.  The technical committee has placed a version of these on GitHub for download, but truthfully they are in need of a revision.

Ongoing efforts

A continuing issue in the marine environment is trying to understand how a 3D environment evolves over time.  The PSF is working with the organization Long Live The Kings (LLTK, Seattle, WA) to understand the factors that have resulted in a dramatic decline in salmon survival since the early 1990s.  To this end, ten citizen science groups each gather water column samples at ten locations throughout the Strait of Georgia twenty times a year from March to October.  The resulting data is placed in the sogDataCentre.  We are attempting to visualize this information through animation.  It is a work in progress.

Another ongoing effort is data subsetting.  Some of our datasets are extremely large (28 million records), and to satisfy the data users (the “modellers”), we have written an application to filter (subset) the data for a reasonable download package.  This filtering normally includes latitude-longitude and date range, but datasets can be cumulatively filtered on any number of the variables.  This is enabled on the website, but the initial load currently takes about twenty seconds.

A third effort is to formally join the ICAN network.  This could be quite useful to our region, because many datasets were arbitrarily are the Canada-USA border, and the natural processes continue across borders.  Not having complete knowledge of the Canada-USA coupled waterbodies inhibits understanding and policy making.


Figure 4: Example of the data subsetting feature of the Strait of Georgia Data Centre to reduce large data sets to a reasonable size for downloading

Summary

Serendipitously, the Pacific Salmon Foundation has created a coastal marine atlas of historical data for British Columbia.  It is based upon Open Source applications, and both metadata and data is freely downloadable. 

Acknowledgements

I am extremely thankful for the assistance of ICAN Technical Committee for guidance, and for the technical opportunity presented by the Pacific Salmon Foundation.  Isobel Pearsall continues to guide the team.  Nick Murray crated the main portion of the website.  Richard Sullivan at UBC provided Linux guidance.  Benjamin Skinner is responsible for the data subsetting and animation efforts.  Many students have contributed to the project.  Performing data discovery and rescue were Sarah Fraser, Jamie Hargreaves, Ianna Folks, Heather Wathen, and Charles-David Clayton.  Tanya Haddad and the rest of the ICAN Technical Team encouraged and assisted in the development of the ICAN process documentation.

The United Nations forms a Working Group on Marine Geospatial Information

The United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM) have formed a new Working Group on Marine Geospatial Information at its 7th Session held in New York 31 July to 4 August 2017.

The formation of the Working Group follows on submission of a report to the UN-GGIM from the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) that concluded “the establishment of a specific body that will enable the high level of global guidance and coordination that the GGIM currently provides in the land geospatial information domain to be extended and harmonized with the maritime and water domain is a logical development.”

 

The report on this topic from the UN-GGIM sessions states “The availability and accessibility of high-quality, timely and reliable geospatial information is vital in order to make informed decisions and to ensure accountability for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Follow-up and review of progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires the collection, analysis and dissemination of an unprecedented amount of data and statistics including that for inland water bodies and waterways and coastal zones, seas and oceans. The availability of marine geospatial data, particularly bathymetry, of our seas and oceans is currently less than optimal.”

The Working Group on Marine Geospatial Information aims to provide a forum for dialogue and coordination between Member States, the United Nations system, the International Hydrographic Organization, and other international organisations and experts with a view to encourage enhanced global cooperation to substantively address issues related to the availability and application of marine geospatial information. Its objectives include:

  • Raising political awareness and highlighting the importance of marine geospatial information to support the administration, management and governance of the marine environment;

  • Encouraging the use of internationally agreed-upon geospatial information frameworks, schemas, systems and established standards; and

  • Supporting UN-GGIM in the development of norms, principles, guides and standards to increase significantly the availability of high-quality, timely and reliable geospatial information including any regional capacity development initiatives.

Full reports on the 7th Session of the UN-GGIM are available at:
http://ggim.un.org/meetings/GGIM-committee/7th-Session/documents/

ICAN contributes to the Ocean Teacher Global Academy course on Story Maps

From 13 - 15 September 2017 OTGA held a course on Ocean Literacy and Story Telling Maps at INVEMAR in Santa Marta, Colombia. Several members of the ICAN Steering Group were lecturers for the course. Information on the course can be found at http://classroom.oceanteacher.org/course/view.php?id=289


Ned Dwyer discuss story map options with students

ICAN 8 Coastal Web Atlases – Enhancing Ocean Literacy Santa Marta, Colombia

ICAN Steering Group Meeting

The International Coastal Atlas Network’s Steering Group meet on 11 September hosted by INVEMAR in Santa Marta, Colombia. The morning session met with the current ICAN work plan, some time spent on the strategic planning, and decisions on the future membership of the Steering Group. (See page x for information on the new ICAN Steering Group). The afternoon session was open and included several participants from the Ocean Teacher Global Academy course that started later in the week. The afternoon session dealt with how ICAN can support other IODE projects with reports on the Caribbean Marine Atlas, SPINCAM and the African Marine Atlas.

INVEMAR main building

ICAN 8 workshop Coastal Web Atlases – Enhancing Ocean Literacy

The ICAN 8 workshop Coastal Web Atlases – Enhancing Ocean Literacy was held on the following day, 12 September 2017 starting with the keynote lecture by Francesca Santoro, the ocean literacy lead for the International Oceanographic Commission. Dr. Santoro’s lecture was followed by sessions on Latin American approaches to ocean literacy, coastal web atlases and their role in advancing ocean literacy and technology supporting ocean literacy. Several presentations were made remotely including Marcia Berman’s presentation on  Story Maps and Coastal Web Atlases to support Climate Literacy in Virginia and David Hart’s presentation Advancing Great Lakes Literacy through the Wisconsin Coastal Atlas. Marcia and David were unable to attend ICAN 8 in person due to travel delays caused by Hurricane Irma. Other contributed presentations included Quantification of the impacts of tropical cyclones on the coasts of the Gulf of Mexico, the Western Caribbean Sea and on the urban, semi-urban and rural localities of Mexico by Agustín Fernández Eguiarte, Informatics Unit for the Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences of UNAM, Mexico, Science-society interface - From Academic Data to Practical Knowledge concerning Coastal Areas by Dr. Silvia Sartor, Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo, Brazil, The Sydney Harbour Atlas – Raising awareness of an urban marine ecosystem  by Andrew Sherin, Coastal and Ocean Information Network (COIN) Atlantic, Canada.  Presentations from Latin America included SPINCAM by Alejandro Iglesias Campos, IOC, UNESCO, Colombian national activities - Paula Cristina Sierra-Correa, INVEMAR and Julian Monroy, CIOH, Colombia’s Oceanographic and Hydrographic Research Center and the Caribbean Marine Atlas 2 by Carolina Garcia Valencia, INVEMAR.

Participants in ICAN 8


The workshop ended with a tour of the Marine Natural History Museum located at INVEMAR and a tour of the laboratories at INVEMAR.

A Story Map version of the ICAN 8 report is available for viewing at http://arcg.is/2ft3k4Z

Subcategories

Vol, 8, Nr 2 - Now Available!

We are now entering our 9th year publishing the ICAN newsletter. Many thanks to our Editor Andy Sherin!

Please consider preparing an article for the next newsletter that will likely be published in the spring of this year.

Happy New Year!

Photos from CoastGIS 2018

Our friends from CoastGIS 2018 have posted a wonderful gallery of photos, including the recent ICAN mini-workshop:

See how many ICAN members you can spot!