Adapted from the ACRL Marine Sciences Bibliography
Metasites and general
• AquaNIC: Aquaculture Network Information Center.
Coordinated by the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Consortium, AquaNIC is a gateway to the world’s electronic aquaculture resources. AquaNIC provides links to thousands of state, national, and international aquaculture publications; newsletters; visual media; calendars; job services; directories; and specialty sections for species and production systems. Access: http://www.aquanic.org/
• Census of Marine Life (CoML).
Coordinated by the Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education, CoML is a decade-long, international research program assessing and explaining the diversity, distribution, and abundance of marine organisms throughout the world’s oceans. Through field studies and other projects, ranging from analyzing historical documents to modeling future ecosystems, CoML will enable scientists to compare what once lived in the oceans to what lives there now, and to project what will live there in the future. Access: http://www.coml.org/coml.htm
• EurekAlert Marine Science Portal.
Maintained by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Marine Science Portal is an online global news service and directory providing links to digital libraries, databases, educational tools, maps, U.S. and international laws and regulations, programs, publications, and organizations. Of particular value are the press releases announcing significant news, new articles in journals, funding opportunities, and meeting dates. Access: http://www.eurekalert.org/marinescience/
Maintained by the IOC Ocean Services Section of UNESCO, OceanPortal includes a directory of Web sites providing information and data about the ocean and ocean-related topics. These include sections on marine data resources, scientific topics, agencies and institutions, associations, commerce and trade, marine policy and conservation, and an extensive list of resources for librarians. Access: http://e2edm.vliz.be/odp/
• UN Atlas of the Oceans.
An Internet portal providing information relevant to the sustainable development of the oceans, the UN Atlas of the Oceans is designed for policymakers needing to become familiar with ocean issues and for scientists, students, and resource managers needing access to databases and approaches to sustainability. Access: http://www.oceansatlas.com/
• WINDandSEA: The Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences Internet Guide. This is an atmospheric and oceanic sciences Internet resource locator provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Central Library. The site is intended for the NOAA community, the academic community, other government agencies concerned with oceanic and atmospheric issues, and the general public. Presently, WINDandSEA has more than 1,000 selected links to science and policy sites organized by topic. All of the sites included have been reviewed and annotated by the NOAA Central Library staff. Access: http://www.lib.noaa.gov/docs/windandsea.html.
Federal offices, agencies, and programs
• Coastal and Marine Geology Program (CMGP), U.S. Geological Survey. CMGP is charged with studying the marine geology of the nation’s coastal and offshore marine environment. The site provides access to the Interactive Map Server, allowing users to view and create maps using available CMGP datasets; seafloor mapping surveys; and an online resource locator for finding research projects, educational materials, photographs, movies, maps, publications, and datasets. Access: http://marine.usgs.gov/.
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAA is the lead federal science-based agency responsible for predicting changes in the oceanic and atmospheric environments and living marine resources and providing related information to a diverse body of user groups. The NOAA site is a valuable starting point for obtaining information on tides and currents, current and archived weather data, buoy data, fisheries statistics, marine mammal protection efforts, paleoclimatology, air quality and atmospheric processes, coastal services and management, navigation, mapping, real-time imagery and remote sensing, and historical information. Access: http://www.noaa.gov/.
• NOAA Coastal Services Center. An office within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration devoted to serving the nation’s state and local coastal resource management programs, the Coastal Services Center Web site provides access to online maps, datasets, coastal observation systems, software applications and extensions, publications, and an online catalog offering electronic access to nearly 5,000 coastal management documents produced by the U.S. coastal states in response to the Coastal Zone Management Act. Access: http://www.csc.noaa.gov/.
• NOAA Oceanographic Data Center (NODC). An office of NOAA, the NODC archives and provides public access to global oceanographic and coastal data, products, and information. Data types available to the public include biological, buoy, chlorophyll, nutrients, ocean currents, oxygen, plankton, salinity, satellite, sea level, temperature, and waves. Access: http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/.
• National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS). Formed within the National Ocean Service in March 1999, NCCOS centralizes all of NOAA’s coastal research centers in one group. NCCOS conducts and supports research, provides monitoring and assessment, and offers technical assistance to people managing coastal ecosystems and society’s use of them. Information on coastal ecosystems, particularly climate change, extreme natural events, pollution, invasive species, and land and resource use is available. Also included on the site is a searchable catalog of NCCOS publications from 1968 to the present, some of which are available full text. Access: http://www.nccos.noaa.gov/.
• National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). NMFS or “NOAA Fisheries” administers domestic and international conservation and management of fisheries. It supports fisheries management, fisheries development, protected species, and habitat conservation. The Web site provides information on aquaculture, bycatch issues, grant opportunities, international issues, significant marine legislation and regulations, permits, species information, marine mammal health strandings and assessments, habitat assessment and restoration, and fisheries statistics along with access to various reports and publications. Of particular value is the Fisheries of the United States, which contains statistics for U.S. commercial and recreational fisheries, and is available for downloading. Access: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/.
• National Ocean Service (NOS). As the primary advocate for coastal and ocean management, NOS develops the nation’s underpinnings for coastal and ocean science, management, response, hazards assessment, restoration, and navigation. Links to the various NOS program and staff offices, as well as links to aerial photography and shoreline mapping sites, coastal management and decision-making tools, volunteer opportunities, and tidal and current information are available. The education and outreach section offers an inventory of kits and materials developed by NOS, including lesson plans, posters, and videos. Excellent tutorials on corals, esturaries, tides and water levels, and geodesy are also available along with full-text access to NOS publications and reports from 1998 to the present. Access: http://www.nos.noaa.gov/.
• National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP). An innovative program established by Congress in 1997, NOPP facilitates new interactions among 15 federal agencies, academia, and industry to increase visibility for ocean issues, and achieve a higher level of coordinated effort and synergy across the broad oceanographic community. Information on funding opportunities, projects, reports, and a national integrated and sustained ocean observing system are available. Access: http://www.nopp.org/.
• National Weather Service (NWS). NWS provides weather, hydrologic, climate forecasts, and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters, and ocean areas for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy. The Web site provides access to warnings and observation information along with forecast data and models, and historical weather data. Access: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/.
• Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds (OWOW). One of four program offices within the Office of Water at the Environmental Protection Agency, OWOW manages, protects, and restores the water resources and aquatic ecosystems of marine and fresh waters in the United States. This Web site is an excellent source of information on estuaries, lakes, rivers and streams, and wetlands. Also available is information on pollution assessment and monitoring and habitat restoration. Users can also access the 2002 National Water Quality Assessment Database for state-reported water quality information and assessments of individual waterbodies along with information and datasets for Total Maximum Daily Load by EPA-regions and the states. Access: http://www.epa.gov/OWOW/.
• Sea Grant. Administered through NOAA, Sea Grant is a nationwide network of 30 university-based programs that work with coastal communities to conduct scientific research, education, training, and extension projects designed to foster science-based decisions about the use and conservation of aquatic resources. Users can access information on theme research and national priority areas, funding opportunities, outreach and education initiatives, and a searchable directory of Sea Grant programs and directors through the Web site. Access: http://www.nsgo.seagrant.org/.
• Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). IOC is an agency of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) whose mission is to provide a mechanism for global cooperation in the study of ocean and coastal issues. Information on IOC efforts to study and facilitate marine environmental protection, fisheries and ecosystems, climate change, ocean observation and monitoring, coastal management, data management, and disaster mitigation, along with news and announcements, is available. A searchable interface for access to IOC publications and reports, some of which are accessible in full text, is also provided on the Web site. Access: http://ioc.unesco.org/.
• International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES). Founded in 1902, ICES is an organization that coordinates and promotes marine research in the North Atlantic. It is the prime source of advice on the marine ecosystem to governments and international regulatory bodies that manage the North Atlantic Ocean and adjacent seas. Users can access the ICES database, DATRAS, to obtain data on fish distribution from trawl surveys in the North Sea, Baltic Sea and Southern and Western part of the Atlantic Ocean, and obtain yearly catch records from 1973 to 1990 for more than 200 species in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean using the site’s “Fish Stats” section. Also available via the ICES Web site is information on fish stocks and marine ecosystems, status reports on ocean climate (1998–2004), zooplankton (1999–2002), maps presenting the distribution of diseases of the fish and shellfish, and maps representing harmful algal bloom events from 1990 to 1999. Access: http://www.ices.dk/.
• International Tsunami Information Center (ITIC). Established in 1965 by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO, the ITIC monitors the activities of the Tsunami Warning System in the Pacific. The Web site also provides information about tsunamis; what to do in case of a tsunami; access to the Historical Tsunami Databases for the Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Pacific oceans; a directory of tsunami experts; links to tsunami-related research efforts; and a list of ITIC publications organized by year. Access: http://ioc3.unesco.org/itic/.
• International Whaling Commission (IWC). Set up under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling in 1946, the IWC reviews and revises measures which govern the conduct of whaling throughout the world. The Web site provides brief summaries on the classification of species, life history, abundance estimates, and some descriptions of individual whale species. Individuals can also access information on catch limits, welfare issues, whale sanctuaries, environmental impacts on whales, a list of member nations, latest news, and information on ordering IWC publications, including the Reports of the International Whaling Commission. Access: http://www.iwcoffice.org/.
Academic societies and organizations
• American Elasmobranch Society. This society is a nonprofit organization that seeks to advance the scientific study of living and fossil sharks, skates, rays, and chimaeras. The Web site includes information on species profiles, meetings, funding, bookstore, links to Web sites on elasmobranches, and careers. Also included is an image gallery and link to the International Shark Attack File. Access: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/organizations/aes/aes.htm.
• American Geophysical Union (AGU). A nonprofit scientific organization established in 1919, AGU focuses on the organization and dissemination of scientific information in the interdisciplinary and international field of geophysics. Information about AGU journals—Journal of Geophysical Research, Oceans and Journal of Geophysical Research, Atmospheres is available. Access: http://www.agu.org.
• American Fisheries Society (AFS). Founded in 1870, AFS is the oldest and largest professional society representing fisheries scientists who work to improve the conservation and sustainability of fishery resources and aquatic ecosystems by advancing fisheries and aquatic science and promoting the development of fisheries professionals. Links to meetings, AFS chapters and divisions, an online bookstore, career information and job postings, and educational information are available. Access: http://www.fisheries.org/afs/index.html.
• American Malacological Society. This international society was founded in 1931 and is dedicated to the study and conservation of mollusks. Information on meetings, conservation, and publication is available. Access: http://www.malacological.org/index.php.
• American Society of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO). A leading scientific organization for researchers and educators in the field of aquatic science. Information on publications, membership, funding, careers and job opportunities, minority programs, meetings, public policy, and related links are available. Access: http://aslo.org.
• Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education (CORE). A nonprofit organization representing 74 of the nation’s academic institutions, aquaria, nonprofit research institutes, and federal research laboratories, CORE conducts a variety of public policy, research, and educational activities. A directory of CORE institutions along with links to research and education programs, federal ocean agencies, policy reports and speeches, weekly reports, employment opportunities, and related links are available on the site. Access: http://www.coreocean.org/.
• Crustacean Society. This scientific organization focuses on the study and dissemination of knowledge regarding all aspects of the biology of the crustacea. The site includes information on society business and news, various downloads, and links to crustacean-related resources on the Web. Access: http://www.vims.edu/tcs/.
• Estuarine Research Federation (ERF). A nonprofit organization established in 1971, the ERF is focused on the study and management of the structure and functions of estuaries and the effects of human activities on these fragile environments. The site includes information on meetings, employment opportunities, member services, publications, and links to numerous estuarine-related sites on the Web. Access: http://www.erf.org.
• National Association of Marine Laboratories (NAML). NAML is a nonprofit organization representing 120 member laboratories providing academic, research, and public service programs. NAML is composed of three regional associations: Northeastern Association of Marine and Great Lakes Laboratories, Southern Association of Marine Laboratories, and the Western Association of Marine Laboratories. The site includes information on meetings, funding and educational opportunities, downloadable videos, job postings, information on minority recruitment and retention, links to affiliate marine laboratories, and LABNET (a pilot project for sharing data from multiple coastal data systems). Access: http://www.naml.org/.
• The Oceanography Society. Founded in 1988, the Oceanography Society disseminates knowledge of oceanography and its application through research and education and promotes communication among oceanographers. Information on meetings, funding and educational opportunities, publications, careers, and links to related sites are available on the site. Access: http://www.tos.org/.
• Phycological Society of America. A scientific organization promoting phycology (the study of algae), the Phycological Society of America fosters phycological research and education. Information on meetings, funding and educational opportunities, publications, careers, and links to related sites are available on the site. Access: http://www.psaalgae.org/.
• Scientific Committee on Oceanic Research (SCOR). Established by the International Council for Science in 1957, SCOR is a leading nongovernmental organization promoting international cooperation in planning and conducting oceanographic research. Links to the SCOR newsletter, meetings, research highlights, national reports, and research cruises are available. Access: http://www.jhu.edu/~scor/.
• Society for Marine Mammalogy. Founded in 1981, the Society for Marine Mammalogy studies, evaluates, and promotes the educational, scientific, and managerial advancement of marine mammal science. Information on meetings, funding and educational opportunities, publications, careers, and links to related sites are available on the site. Access: http://www.marinemammalogy.org/.
Databases and catalogs
• FishBase. Developed at the International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and many other partners, FishBase covers more than 25,000 species of fish and has more than 70,000 synonyms and 180,000 common names in more than 200 languages. More than 35,000 pictures illustrate these fish, and information about them has been extracted from 20,000 references. The classification of higher taxa follows the version of William N. Eschmeyer’s Catalog of Fishes. Data includes family, order, class, environment, climate, importance, resilience, distribution, biology, ecology, diet, reproduction, and references. Access: http://www.fishbase.org/home.htm.
• Marine Realms Information Bank (MRIB). A collaborative effort of the USGS Coastal and Marine Geology Program at the Woods Hole Field Center and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, the MRIB Web site is a distributed geolibrary that catalogs and provides organized access to information about coastal and marine environments, the adjacent parts of the atmosphere and solid Earth, as well as to people, techniques, and organizations involved in marine science. Access: http://mrib.usgs.gov.
• NOAA Central Library Catalog. An online bibliographic catalog containing the holdings of NOAA libraries around the country, and, in some cases, containing the full text of the documents cataloged. Collections consist of reports, special data files and datasets, documents, articles, and audiovisual resources related to ocean and atmospheric sciences. Access: http://www.lib.noaa.gov/.
• ReefBase. An online information system on coral reefs, ReefBase provides Reference Services to coral reef professionals involved in management, research, monitoring, conservation, and education. ReefBase provides data and information on the location, status, threats, monitoring, legislation, and management of coral reefs in 131 countries, along with data on coral bleaching between 1963 and 2005, downloadable datasets, and a bibliography of nearly 23,400 publications. Access: http://www.reefbase.org/.
• Sea Grant Database. Maintained by the National Sea Grant Library, this database includes 36,000 bibliographic records for various Sea Grant publications, and, in many cases, the full text of the document is also available online through the database. Subjects include oceanography, marine education, aquaculture, fisheries, limnology, coastal zone management, marine recreation, and law. Access: http://nsgd.gso.uri.edu/searchguide.html.
• WODselect. The WODselect interface allows a user to search the World Ocean Database 2001 using user-specified search criteria. The World Ocean Database is the world’s largest profile collection covering the oceans and contains measurements from 1874 through 2000. Retrieval options include data on temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, inorganic phosphate, and 20 other profiles. Access: http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/OC5/SELECT/dbsearch/dbsearch.html.
• America’s Living Oceans: Charting a Course for Sea Change. Published in 2003 by the Pew Oceans Commission, this report is a result of a three-year, nationwide study of the oceans—the first of its kind in 30 years. The report stresses and issues recommendations for immediate reform of U.S. laws and policies to restore oceanic wildlife and ecosystems and preserve the ecological, economic, and social benefits the oceans provide. Access: http://www.pewoceans.org/.
• National Coastal Condition Reports. Issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, these reports describe the ecological and environmental conditions in U.S. coastal waters. They summarize the condition of ecological resources in the coastal waters of the United States and highlight several exemplary federal, state, tribal, and local programs that assess coastal ecological and water quality conditions. Access: http://www.epa.gov/owow/oceans/nccr/.
• The State of Coral Reef Ecosystems of the United States and Pacific Freely Associated States: 2002. Published by NOAA in 2002, this report is the first national assessment of the condition of U.S. coral reefs and identifies the pressures that pose increasing risks to reefs, particularly in certain “hot spots” located near population centers. The report also assesses the health of reef resources, ranks threats in 13 geographic areas, and details mitigation efforts. Access: http://www.nccos.noaa.gov/documents/status_coralreef.pdf.
• An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century Final Report of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy. Published in 2004, this report contains the commission’s findings and recommendations for a new coordinated and comprehensive national ocean policy, more investment in marine science and education, and a new stewardship ethic reflecting the relationships among all ecosystem components. Access: http://www.oceancommission.gov/.
• Population Trends Along the Coastal United States: 1980–2008. An updated version of a report compiled over a decade ago, this National Ocean Service report presents an overview of coastal population trends from 1980 to 2003, and projected changes in coastal population by 2008. Access: http://www.oceanservice.noaa.gov/programs/mb/supp_cstl_population.html.
Discussion lists and e-newsletters
• CORAL-LIST. Provides a forum for Internet discussions and announcements among coral health researchers and scientists pertaining to coral reef health and monitoring throughout the world. Access: http://www.coral.noaa.gov/.
• FishNews. An automated, e-mail newsletter distributed by the NOAA Fisheries Services that provides electronic notification of important actions, rules, policies, and programs that may be of interest to researchers, practitioners, educators, and the public. Access: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/fishnews.htm.
• IAMSLIC. Discussion list for the International Association of Aquatic and Marine Science Libraries and Information Centers, an association of individuals and organizations interested in aquatic and marine library and information science. Access: http://www.iamslic.org/index.php?section=2l.
• MARBIO. Discussion list providing a forum for all issues of interest to marine scientists throughout the world. Access: http://www.mote.org/index.php.
• Marine Science and Education Lists. A directory of discussion lists related to marine science compiled by the Sea Grant Marine Advisory Program at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science. Access: http://www.vims.edu/adv/ed/lists.html.