An Operational BioTrack: Monitoring At-Risk Marine Species Biodiversity Hotspot Interactions with Management and Resource Use Areas to Support Stakeholder Needs in the Face of Global Change

PI: Neil Hammerschlag, Shark Research Foundation, Inc.
Start Year: 2024 | Duration: 5 years
Partners: U.S. IOOS (NERACOOS, MARACOOS, Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association (SECOORA), Axiom, BOEM, NMFS, South Atlantic Fisheries  Management Council, NOAA ONMS) (Florida Keys, Monitor, Gray’s Reef, Stellwagen Bank)

Project Abstract:

This project will expand BioTrack, a collaborative network established in partnership with MBON and Animal Telemetry Network (ATN) to identify and characterize critical biodiversity hotspots along the U.S. eastern seaboard where threatened marine species converge. By integrating satellite and acoustic tracking of marine animals with remotely sensed environmental data, and modeling techniques, the project will map these biodiversity hotspots of at-risk species and their intersections with areas of human use and interest, such as marine sanctuaries and wind energy leasing blocks. Additionally, the project will examine the impact of future climate change on these at-risk hotspots and these spatial intersections of human use. Emphasizing stakeholder engagement from the start, the project is designed to produce practical, accessible data products to aid in informed decision-making and support conservation and management efforts.