The Oceans and Coasts community page is organized around coastal and ocean framework data, or data that is needed for research, planning and management of coastal and ocean resources. These data include, but are not limited to, bathymetry, shoreline, sea floor mapping, habitat, landcover, seismic data, fisheries, and marine boundaries. This community seeks to provide access to these data, clearinghouses, and applications; as well as information about the activities, programs, and committees that support the ocean and coastal community.

The Oceans and Coast community is co-led by the Interagency Working Group on Ocean and Coastal Mapping and the Federal Geographic Data Committee’s Marine and Coastal Spatial Data Subcommittee. For more information on these efforts, refer to the “committees, programs, and organization” section of the community.

Featured Inventories

National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) - NOAA

NGDC archives and distributes geophysical data to the public. It serves as the World Data Center for Marine Geology and Geophysics and is the IHO Data Center for Digital Bathymetry.

Coastal and Marine Geology (CMG) InfoBank - USGS

InfoBank, KnowledgeBank's field data catalog, is a structured information storage scheme of databases and software that provide organized access to USGS Coastal and Marine data and metadata.

National Ocean Service (NOS) Data Explorer - NOAA

The purpose of the NOS Data Explorer is to develop a single point of data discovery and delivery for NOAA Ocean Service's geospatial data holdings.

National Coastal Data Bank (NCDB) - USACE

NCDB is a focused web site used to search coastal data, information, and tools. It allows the sharing of data across USACE districts and other agencies.

National Digital Elevation Program (NDEP) -USGS

NDEP is for producers and users of elevation data to track proposed, planned, in-work, and completed projects. It facilitates overall NDEP objectives of enhancing data sharing among agencies, minimizing redundant data production, and leveraging resources to satisfy multiple requirements.

Priority Habitat Information System (PHINS) -USGS

PHINS promotes regional collaboration to enhance ecological and economic health of the Gulf of Mexico and creates and provides access to interactive habitat Maps for Priority Gulf of Mexico Habitats. PHINS receives support from the U.S. Ocean Action Plan Dec 04 and the Governors’ Action Plan for Healthy and Resilient Coasts.