[Data Update] New West Coast Kelp Data Now Available – Feb. 17, 2016

The West Coast Ocean Data Portal, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and Marine Cadastre are pleased to announce the release a new, unique regional data set representing the extent of canopy forming kelp beds along the West Coast. These data include the general extents of canopy-forming kelp surveys from 1989 to 2014 and a compilation of existing data sets delineating canopy-forming kelp beds along the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. These data provide a spatial picture of these ecologically important areas and are intended for use in resource management and marine planning.

These data are available now as downloadable GIS packages and as web mapping services, both with complete metadata. You can access the data through the West Coast Ocean Data Portal and Marine Cadastre websites and the links below.

GIS Data Package

Web Services

We hope to improve the comprehensiveness and usability of these data sets over time. Please let us know how you are using them or how they can be improved.

You can explore the West Coast Ocean Data Portal at http://portal.westcoastoceans.org. If you wish to learn more, provide feedback, or contribute your data to the Portal, please contact the WCODP Coordinator, Todd Hallenbeck (Todd.r.hallenbeck@Westcoastoceans.org).