An Oceanographic Characterization of the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary and Pacific Northwest: Interpretive Summary of Ocean Climate and Regional Processes Through Satellite Remote Sensing

This summary represents the continuation of an ongoing collaboration with the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS), Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (OCNMS), and the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (CCMA), through a comprehensive regional oceanographic data synthesis and integration effort for the U.S. Pacific Northwest (PNW). Multiple long-term satellite oceanographic datasets made available through NASA, NOAA and other world-wide operational data centers were evaluated and summarized to provide scientific information and insights on system variability and processes affecting the PNW and, in particular, the OCNMS. The synopticscale viewpoint provided by satellite data made it possible to combine multiple observations on physical, biological, and sediment characteristics to fill existing data gaps, and document oceanic events for the entire region. The result is a unique representation of PNW ocean climate and behavior, an oceanographic baseline from which multiple ecosystem-based assessments can be built. Intended audiences of the assessment include the National and Regional Sanctuary Management Offices, IOOS Associations, NOAA Ecosystems Program, and other Federal and State agencies, universities, and tribal staff.