Pacific Services Center

Mapping and Data Information

Environmental Sensitivity Mapping

PSC's worked with NOAA's Office of Response and Restoration (OR&R), to create draft Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) maps for American Samoa, and update the Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) maps.

ESI maps include geologic information on shoreline types, biological resources in coastal areas, and coral surveys information. ESI maps can be used to respond to oil and chemical spills and for response planning. Detailed information of this type helps protect valuable biological resources in the waters of the Pacific Islands.

GIS Map Database

PSC partnered with the National Marine Sanctuary Program to provide Geographic Information System (GIS) support for the Hawaiian Island Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary GIS Database. These maps support the management plan review and decision-making process.

Sample list of maps:

• Humpback whale surface density dataset
• Sanctuary boundaries, bathymetry, marine animal distributions, corals and human use
• Heritage sites in Hawai`i for the Pacific Island Region Maritime Heritage program
• A GIS Atlas for Fagetele Bay National Marine Sanctuary in American Samoa
• Data layers for Maritime Heritage site in American Samoa

Guam and American Samoa National Marine Managed Area Inventory

PSC assisted the NOAA Marine Protected Areas Center with the national Marine Managed Area (MMA) inventory. PSC assisted with information gathering from Guam and American Samoa and submitted it for use in the Coral Reef Managed Area Summary Report.

The Coral Reef Managed Area Summary Report examines the management status of individual managed areas and identifies challenges and solutions using a qualitative comparison of different management approaches. Preliminary findings for this report, including those for Guam and American Samoa, were presented at the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Meeting in 2003.

For more information on the Marine Managed Area Inventory, visit: www.mpa.gov.