Digital Commons@Center for the Blue Economy
Not a member yet
256 research outputs found
Sort by
Cape Cod Ocean Watch
No full textThe Cape Cod Ocean Watch dashboard is an interactive, map-based data visualization platform that delivers near real-time information on coastal ocean conditions across the Northeast U.S. shelf. The dashboard integrates hydrographic profiles collected by commercial fishermen with remotely-sensed surface datasets, bottom-condition products from eMOLT and FIShBOT, and short-term forecasts from the Doppio regional ocean model. These datasets are synthesized into a single, user-friendly interface designed to support the information needs of the fishing community. We aim to provide an integrated platform which transforms diverse oceanographic datasets into actionable insights, strengthens communication between members of the fishing community and scientists, and supports adaptive decision-making in a changing ocean
The Strategy of Local Economy Sustainability for Resilient Coastal Settlement: The Lessons Learned from the Covid-19 Pandemic
Full text linkLearning from experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study aims to recommend strategies for local economic sustainability to achieve resilient coastal settlement goals. A literature review was conducted as a preliminary to obtain an overview of the economic strategies carried out by coastal communities during the pandemic, the variables of resilient coastal settlements, government programs in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, and research gaps related to local economic sustainability. This study used a questionnaire distribution method to collect data. The data were then analyzed using a triangulation method that compared the variables of coastal settlement’s resilience, government programs, and potential local economic sustainability findings. This research found that the warung or grocery stall business started by coastal communities during the pandemic still existed until the post-pandemic period. Based on the local economy potential, the strategies related to local economic resilience are: increasing the knowledge and skills of coastal communities, empowering coastal women, and utilizing the potential of natural resources and local wisdom of coastal settlements. This research provides new evidence that the local scale economic sector has resilience in adapting to crisis and sustainability. This research is expected to be a reference for government policy in achieving resilience coastal settlements goals
The Chesapeake Bay Environmental Forecasting System
Full text linkThe Chesapeake Bay Environmental Forecast System (CBEFS) uses a 3D coupled physical-biogeochemical model to simulate water quality in the Chesapeake Bay. The 3-D model is forced by weather conditions (winds, air temperature, etc.), river inputs, and an open boundary in the Atlantic Ocean. CBEFS is an entirely automated system that runs nightly in a high-performance-computing environment, to provide updated information to stakeholders each morning. Automated comparisons to observed data are conducted each morning to ensure CBEFS is performing as expected. The 3-D model has 20 layers in the vertical and a horizontal resolution of 600 meters, resulting in 1.2 million 3-D grid cells in the Bay, tributaries, and coastal ocean
Development of User-Friendly Water Quality Dashboards for Coastal Aquaculturists in the Central and Northern California Region
Full text linkThis use case highlights the development of user-friendly water quality dashboards for stations along the Central and Northern California coastline, designed to support California’s coastal aquaculture industry. By transforming near real-time data from CeNCOOS coastal shore stations into accessible, actionable tools, aquaculturists can better monitor changing ocean conditions near their operations. Co-designed with industry input, these dashboards provide critical insights into trends such as marine heatwaves, hypoxia, and phytoplankton blooms
LiveOcean
Full text linkLiveOcean is a realistic numerical model of ocean circulation and biogeochemistry for the coastal and estuarine waters of the Salish Sea and Pacific Northwest. Daily three-day forecasts are processed into different formats that provide useful information for a wide variety of stakeholders. Applications include predictions of hypoxia, ocean acidification, harmful algal bloom movement, and the effects of treated sewage discharge. The model also has an archive of over a decade of hindcasts which are used in several basic science research projects
NorthEast Coastal Ocean Forecast System (NECOFS)
Full text linkNECOFS is a regional forecast model system for the atmosphere, ocean, and surface waves. It includes: 1) the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model for atmospheric predictions; 2) the Finite Volume Community Ocean Model (FVCOM) with the NECOFSv2 grid for ocean states; 3) the FVCOM-SWAVE (FVCOM surface wave model) for wave dynamics; 4) the Massachusetts Coastal FVCOM with the inclusion of estuaries, inlets, harbors and intertidal wetlands; and 5) four subdomain wave-current coupled FVCOM inundation forecast systems in Scituate and Boston Harbor in MA, Saco Bay in ME, and Hampton Harbor in NH
Meeting Carbon Dioxide Removal Demand in 2030: The Potential of Macroalgae Cultivation and Harvest
Full text linkA growing number of countries have announced net-zero and net-negative emissions targets, but only a few countries provide incentives for carbon dioxide removal (CDR). We derive estimates of countries\u27 hypothetical demand for CDR in 2030 based on their emissions reduction targets under the Paris Agreement. The aggregated average global demand for CDR in the compliance year 2030 is 1064 MtCO2, 353 MtCO2, and 124 MtCO2 for the low, medium, and high-cost CDR scenarios, respectively. This demand comes exclusively from countries and regions with relatively high GDP per capita, relatively high abatement costs and a limited supply of removals from afforestation. In a scenario with full international emissions trading, CDR demand until 2030 would drop to zero. Thus, the near-term demand for CDR is primarily driven by fragmented, inefficient climate policies. As there will be no functioning system of international emissions trading in the near future, regions with ambitious climate targets and high abatement costs, such as Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, will already have significant CDR demand in 2030. Marine CDR methods such as macroalgae cultivation and harvesting could make a small but relevant contribution to meeting this demand. However, given the lead time required to achieve reasonable carbon sequestration efficiencies, a forward-looking climate policy would begin to incentivize and develop such methods now, so that areas within countries\u27 exclusive economic zones can be developed for this purpose
CARICOOS Sargassum Tracker
Full text linkThe CARICOOS Sargassum Tracker tools provide a suite of decision-support tools tailored to assist port-based industries, stakeholders, tourism, coastal managers, and communities in addressing Sargassum influxes in the region. These products were developed to support end users with improved emergency response and early warning systems, aiming to prevent the recurrence of disruptive events, such as the shutdown of the desalination plant in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, and power outages caused by Sargassum blocking the intake systems of coastal generator plant in Puerto Rico.
This tracker brings together several tools to monitor and forecast Sargassum movement and impacts, including 1) the CARICOOS Coastal Circulation Model to simulate ocean currents, temperature, salinity, and water levels near Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, 2) satellite indices like the Maximum Chlorophyll Index (MCI) and Alternative Floating Algae Index (AFAI) to detect Sargassum mats entering the Caribbean; and 3) Sargassum forecast models that provide short-term predictions of Sargassum amounts and a 7-day forecast of where and when it might reach the coast.These tools provide timely and localized forecasts of when, where, and how much Sargassum may reach specific coastal areas in the coming days
Yabucoa Port Metocean Observations and Prediction System
Full text linkCARICOOS developed a numerical modeling and real-time oceanographic monitoring system to support the Under Keel Clearance System at the Yabucoa Buckeye Caribbean Terminal. Operational port facilities are vital for insular communities\u27 social and economic well-being. Harbor Pilots have emphasized the need for timely awareness of oceanographic conditions to safely board and maneuver vessels into complex navigational channels and port entrances. To address this, a dedicated decision-support tool was designed to provide: 1) real-time data from nearby ocean observing assets, and 2) model-predicted wave parameters enhanced through multivariate polynomial regression models. This model incorporates local wave and wind observations and accounts for non-linear relationships, resulting in more accurate and actionable information for informed decision-making