Latest Updates
January 2012
Massachusetts Ocean Resource Information System Enhanced
Public-private partnership improves online mapping tool to aid ocean planning.
Improved from its initial release, the Massachusetts Ocean Resource Information System (MORIS) is now faster, more user-friendly, and includes not only a robust catalog of state coastal and ocean data sets but links to authoritative data outside the state — marking an important step toward creating a dynamic, integrated online tool for mapping ocean data. This latest MORIS update was spearheaded by an ongoing public-private partnership between SeaPlan, the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM), the Massachusetts Office of Geographic Information (MassGIS) and Applied Science Associates (ASA).
Previous users of MORIS will remember a redesign in early 2011 that added all of the data layers used in the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan to the online tool. In the beginning of 2012, the development team has most significantly improved interoperability, which is the ability of an online tool to link to data sets maintained by outside sources and overlay them with state data onto one map. This is an efficient, dynamic and collaborative approach to data management that can eliminate the need for the state to “reinvent the wheel” and maintain large, redundant copies of data sets. Now with key software upgrades in place, MORIS can link to a wide range of credible data sets from governmental, academic, and nonprofits sources.
MORIS is very useful to ocean managers, scientists, and stakeholders who want to search, display and query high-quality spatial data pertaining to the Massachusetts coastal zone. The online interface improves public access to information about a variety of coastal and ocean features, such as marine protected areas, migratory fish passages, and eelgrass beds; as well as human uses, such as wind energy areas, boating traffic patterns, and commercial fishing activity. Information may be viewed on user-friendly maps created by the tool or easily downloaded in many formats.
- Scott Geis
Project Manager
SeaPlan’s Project Manager, Scott Geis, explains how the online tool has evolved. “The development team’s goal was to improve MORIS so that people can visualize and examine data from the convenience of their desktop computers. With these recent upgrades, you don’t need to be a techno-wizard to access the best, most up-to-date information about the Massachusetts’ ocean zone.” Geis concludes “MORIS is a powerful and accessible resource for ocean managers and stakeholders alike.”
The underlying open source programming code of MORIS may be adapted by others and previous versions of this code have been utilized by many organizations inside and outside of the US. Geis is enthusiastic about sharing the code. “I would love to help replicate this approach all over the country, creating a vast, interconnected network for data sharing and collaboration.”
SeaPlan is a nonprofit committed to development and application of science-based, stakeholder-informed coastal and ocean planning to ensure vibrant economies supported by healthy oceans. Through other private-public collaborations, SeaPlan is working at regional and national scales to improve ocean data management and use. In 2011, SeaPlan led a development team to create the Northeast Ocean Data Portal and continues to coordinate with federal efforts to develop a National Information Management System (NIMS), the Multi-purpose Marine Cadastre and regional initiatives elsewhere in the U.S. to optimize interoperability among the different data systems. For more information contact Scott Geis, SeaPlan Project Manager at sgeis@SeaPlan.org
