Remote sensing in the coastal and marine environment : proceedings of the first U. S. North Atlantic regional workshop held at the W. Alton Jones campus, University of Rhode Island, May 30-June 1, 1979

Abstract

The First U.S. North Atlantic Regional Workshop on Remote Sensing in the Coastal and Marine Environment was held at the W. Alton Jones Campus, University of Rhode Island, May 30- June 1, 1979. The objectives of the meeting were to determine and document regional user needs for marine environmental data that might be acquired by remote sensing and to further the interchange of information between the developers of remote sensing technology, suppliers of remote sensing data products, and users of coastal and marine information. The workshop was structured to expose coastal specialists and users of marine data to the potentials of remote sensing and to provide a mechanism through which representatives of the remote sensing community might gain knowledge of the priorities of the potential users. A mutual awareness of the perspectives of each group is essential for beginning a dialogue and for overcoming one of the major obstacles to technology transfer - communications. In planning the remote sensing workshop, a committee was organized to insure a balanced review of the technology and to invite the involvement of the user community. The members of t;1e planning committee represented scientific, private, and federal interests. The activity documented in this report consists of invited presentations that were grouped in the following categories: (1) a technical orientation of earth resources remote sensing, including data sources and processing, (2) a review of the present status of remote sensing -technology applicable to the coastal and marine environment, (3) a description of data and information needs of selected coastal and marine activities and (4) an outline of plans for marine monitoring systems for the U.S. East Coast and a concept for an East Coast remote sensing facility. In addition to these invited presentations, one of the evening sessions was devoted to three working groups that addressed user needs and remote sensing potentials in the areas of coastal processes and management, commercial and recreational fisheries, and marine physical processes. The results of these working group sessions were presented and discussed on the morning of the final day. The recommendations of the workshop, which are provided in the executive summary and in the body of this document, represent a cross-section of needs for present and future consideration for remote sensing data. They concern improvement in addressing user remote sensing data needs, defining deficiencies, and in specifying research areas. The two and one-half day meeting provided an effective mechanism for establishing new dialogue between operational and research regional marine data users and the appropriate federal agencies and private interests developing remote sensing technology. Participants in this workshop reflected a cross section of U.S. North Atlantic interests, with representation from state, federal, academic research, and commercial activities. The ultimate goal of the workshop will be continued input and association with remote sensing programs by the marine user.