Marine Resources Assessment for the Marianas Operating ... - SPREP

AUGUST 2005 FINAL REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
i
Page
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................ ES-1
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................................... v
LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................................vii
LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS...........................................................................................ix
1.0 INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................................1-1
1.1 PURPOSE AND NEED.................................................................................................................1-1
1.2 LOCATION OF STUDY AREA .......................................................................................................1-1
1.3 APPLICABLE LEGISLATION .........................................................................................................1-3
1.3.1 Federal Resource Laws.............................................................................................1-3
1.3.2 Executive Orders .......................................................................................................1-9
1.4 METHODOLOGY ......................................................................................................................1-10
1.4.1 Literature and Data Search .....................................................................................1-10
1.4.2 Spatial Data Representation⎯Geographic Information System.............................1-11
1.4.2.1 Maps of the Physical Environment—Oceanography and Habitats .........1-13
1.4.2.2 Biological Resource Maps⎯Species of Concern ...................................1-13
1.4.2.3 Biological Resource Maps⎯Fish and Fisheries .....................................1-14
1.4.2.4 Maps of Additional Considerations..........................................................1-14
1.4.2.5 Metadata .................................................................................................1-14
1.4.3 Inherent Problems with Marine Survey Data...........................................................1-15
1.4.4 Inherent Problems with Stranding Data...................................................................1-16
1.5 REPORT ORGANIZATION .........................................................................................................1-16
1.6 LITERATURE CITED .................................................................................................................1-16
2.0 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT AND HABITATS ................................................................................2-1
2.1 CLIMATE AND WEATHER............................................................................................................2-1
2.1.1 Seasons.....................................................................................................................2-1
2.1.2 El Niño/Southern Oscillation, La Niña .......................................................................2-2
2.1.3 Pacific Decadal Oscillation ........................................................................................2-3
2.2 MARINE GEOLOGY....................................................................................................................2-3
2.3 MARINE ENVIRONMENTS ...........................................................................................................2-6
2.3.1 Oceanic Waters .........................................................................................................2-6
2.3.1.1 Physiography and Bathymetry ..................................................................2-6
2.3.1.2 Bottom Substrate.......................................................................................2-8
2.4 PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY ......................................................................................................2-8
2.4.1 Circulation..................................................................................................................2-8
2.4.1.1 Surface Currents .......................................................................................2-9
2.4.1.2 Deepwater Currents/Water Masses..........................................................2-9
2.4.1.3 North Pacific Subtropical Gyre ................................................................2-12
2.4.2 Hydrography ............................................................................................................2-12
2.5 BIOLOGICAL OCEANOGRAPHY .................................................................................................2-14
2.5.1 Primary Production ..................................................................................................2-14
2.5.1.1 Photosynthesis........................................................................................2-14
2.5.1.2 Chemosynthesis......................................................................................2-15
2.5.2 Secondary Production .............................................................................................2-15
2.6 BENTHIC HABITATS.................................................................................................................2-17
2.6.1 Seamounts ..............................................................................................................2-17
2.6.2 Hydrothermal Vents.................................................................................................2-18
2.6.3 Abyssal Plain ...........................................................................................................2-18