National Ocean Service

About: National Ocean Service is a government organization based out in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Algal bloom & Population. The organization has 500 authors who have published 643 publications receiving 46096 citations.

The development of a real-time port information system

Abstract: A port information system was developed for Tampa Bay, FL, that provides data in real time. Current, water level, and weather systems measure various parameters from around the bay and report at 6-min intervals via a packet-modern-controlled telemetry system. A central receiving station and data acquisition system process the data and make it available in various formats. A voice data response system provides immediate access to the data via touchtone telephone. A voice processor is used to compose phrases that provide a user with environmental information based on the selection made from the voice menu. The design and development of all aspects of the system are described. This system has proven to be a valuable asset to the local and regional marine community, providing information for safe navigation, oil spills, search and rescue, fishing, and existing weather conditions. >

Mind the gap between ICES nations' future seafood consumption and aquaculture production

Abstract: As the human population grows and climate change threatens the stability of seafood sources, we face the key question of how we will meet increasing demand, and do so sustainably. Many of the 20 International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) member nations have been global leaders in the protection and management of wild fisheries, but to date, most of these nations have not developed robust aquaculture industries. Using existing data and documentation of aquaculture targets from government and industry, we compiled and analysed past trends in farmed and wild seafood production and consumption in ICES nations, as well as the potential and need to increase aquaculture production by 2050. We found that the majority of ICES nations lacks long-term strategies for aquaculture growth, with an increasing gap between future domestic production and consumption—resulting in a potential 7 million tonne domestic seafood deficit by 2050, which would be supplemented by imports from other countries (e.g. China). We also found recognition of climate change as a concern for aquaculture growth, but little on what that means for meeting production goals. Our findings highlight the need to prioritize aquaculture policy to set more ambitious domestic production goals and/or improve sustainable sourcing of seafood from other parts of the world, with explicit recognition and strategic planning for climate change affecting such decisions. In short, there is a need for greater concerted effort by ICES member nations to address aquaculture’s long-term future prospects.

The Metabolome of a Cyanobacterial Bloom Visualized by MS/MS-Based Molecular Networking Reveals New Neurotoxic Smenamide Analogs (C, D, and E).

Abstract: Members of the cyanobacteria genus Trichodesmium are well known for their substantial impact on nitrogen influx in ocean ecosystems and the enormous surface blooms they form in tropical and subtropical locations. However, the secondary metabolite composition of these complex environmental bloom events is not well known, nor the possibility of the production of potent toxins that have been observed in other bloom-forming marine and freshwater cyanobacteria species. In the present work, we aimed to characterize the metabolome of a Trichodesmium bloom utilizing MS/MS-based molecular networking. Furthermore, we integrated cytotoxicity assays in order to identify and ultimately isolate potential cyanotoxins from the bloom. These efforts led to the isolation and identification of several members of the smenamide family, including three new smenamide analogs (1-3) as well as the previously reported smenothiazole A - hybrid polyketide-peptide compounds. Two of these new smenamides possessed cytotoxicity to neuro-2A cells (1 and 3) and their presence elicits further questions as to their potential ecological roles. HPLC profiling and molecular networking of chromatography fractions from the bloom revealed a complex secondary metabolome, generating hypotheses with respect to the environmental role of these metabolites and the consistency of this chemical composition across genera, space and time.

New Technology for Shallow Water Hydrographic Surveys

Abstract: The United States Office of Coast Survey is developing technology for shallow water hydrographic surveys in order to increase the efficiency with which hydrographic data are acquired and to improve the likelihood that all potential dangers to navigation are detected in the course of a hydrographic survey. Three areas of technology hold the greatest promise for meeting those goals: Airborne Lidar Hydrography (ALH), Shallow Water Multibeam Sonars (SWMB), and digital side scan sonar, especially the Coast Survey’s new High Speed, High Resolution Side Scan Sonar (HSHRSSS). The Coast Survey expects that all its ALH surveys will be outsourced to private sector contractors, and that its SWMB and side scan sonar surveys will be accomplished by both NOAA survey vessels and by private sector contractors. This diversity of sources for survey data influences the strategy for managing these new technologies.