Resources

Benthic habitat mapping poster

The Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) has recently published a poster intended to educate coastal managers, teachers and others on seafloor mapping techniques and the variety of seafloor habitats within Massachusetts. The poster summarizes acoustic technologies and groundtruthing techniques that are employed to create high-resolution maps of seafloor topography and backscatter intensity. The poster also identifies a number of seafloor habitats distributed in the northern waters of Massachusetts. Colorful photographs of seafloor habitats and newly released maps of the seafloor along the North Shore of Massachusetts are described and demonstrate the diversity of the underwater landscape in Massachusetts Bay. To obtain a copy of the poster contact Tony Wilbur at CZM.

New Hampshire's no discharge area

Do you own a boat or know someone who does? The brochure, “What Every Boater Should Know About New Hampshire's No Discharge Area” provides a map and description of the No Discharge Area in New Hampshire and what it means for boaters. The publication also includes a listing of boat pump out facilities in coastal New Hampshire. In 2005, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved New Hampshire's request to designate its coastal waters as a No Discharge Area. This designation applies to all of New Hampshire's coastal waters, and means that discharges of treated and untreated boat sewage would be prohibited within three miles of the shore. Contact the NHDES Clean Vessel Act Program at (603) 271-0698 or acarlson@des.state.nh.us to receive a copy of the brochure. For more information on New Hampshire's No Discharge area, visit:

Casco Bay's no discharge area

In July, Casco Bay, Maine was designated a “No Discharge Area,” the first of its kind in the state where releases of treated and untreated boat sewage will be prohibited. The area included in the no discharge designation includes all contiguous waters north and east of Cape Elizabeth Light in Cape Elizabeth, to a point at Bald Point in Phippsburg. To qualify for a No Discharge designation, the applicant must show there are adequate pumpout facilities where boaters can get their holding tanks pumped out. Casco Bay has an estimated 4896 boats, of which approximately 3897 may have a “head” or toilet on board, certified by the Maine Dept. of Environmental Protection. Boat sewage can lead to health problems for swimmers, closed shellfish beds and the overall degradation of marine habitats. For more information see “No Discharge Areas in New England” at:

Atlas of human activities

Fisheries and Oceans Canada has recently released “The Scotian Shelf: An Atlas of Human Activities.” The atlas includes over 50 maps of ocean activities occurring on the Scotian Shelf (and where data was available the Canadian portion of the Gulf of Maine) including fishing, defense operations, shipping, research, oil and gas and more. There are limited copies available in print, but it is now available online in PDF format.

How-To Planning Series

This how-to planning series by the Strafford Regional Planning Commission in New Hampshire and partially funded by the New Hampshire Coastal Program is perfect for those trying to educate others about the importance of addressing nonpoint source pollution in the coastal watershed. The guides can supplement outreach activities or help educate town officials on the topic. The following publications are now available: Protect Water Quality by Managing Nonpoint Source Water Pollution; How-to Reduce Nonpoint Source Water Pollution in Rural Areas; Promote Open Space Conservation/Cluster Development Subdivisions; and How-to Improve Neighborhood Design and Reduce Nonpoint Source Water Pollution. The reports are eight pages long and include additional references and graphics related to each topic. To download the guides visit:

Remote sensing for kids

Natural Resources Canada offers students 11 to 15 years of age a first look at the subject of "Remote Sensing.” This education kit contains an introduction to remote sensing, twelve hands-on activities and a supplemental reading section, all rich with satellite imagery, photography and illustration. Students will become aware of the nature of satellite imagery and how it can be used to monitor environmental issues such as oil spills, forest fires, flood damage, mine wastes, forest clear cutting and land use. The kit can be used in a self-directed manner and comes as a complete teaching tool. You can download the kit in PDF format at:

© 2006 The Gulf of Maine Times