GARFOGIS_DATA_TRACKING.xlsm

This spreadsheet is the central tracking document and inventory of "official" GIS datasets in development, published, or archived at the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO). All shapefiles, data templates and other documents are described here.

The purpose of this spreadsheet is to provide a central inventory of standardized GIS products developed at GARFO. Currently, the only "official" GIS products in development are shapefiles of NMFS Fishing Regulated Areas in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic waters (Reg Areas). This spreadsheet lists and describes a series of templates developed to standardize this process. The spreadsheet also tracks the status of each Reg Area shapefile, including development, review, publication and archiving. Other useful by-products generated by GARFO are also described.

G:\GIS_PROJECTS\GIS\__REG_AREAS_Data_Development\tables\GARFOGIS_DATA_TRACKING.xlsm

Contact the Point of Contact for the data set to request access. The spreadsheet describes GIS data that are in development, published, or archived. GIS data that is published is freely available for download by the public at http://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/educational_resources/gis/data/index.html.

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*** Attribution ***

Whenever NMFS material is reproduced and re-disseminated, we request that users attribute the material appropriately. Pursuant to 17 U.S.C. 403, parties who produce copyrighted works consisting predominantly of material created by the Federal Government are encouraged to provide notice with such work(s) identifying the U.S. Government material incorporated and stating that such material is not subject to copyright protection. Please cite Regulated Area datasets as follows, with the appropriate information substituted for all text in {CURLY BRACKETS}:NOAA Fisheries Service. NMFS Regulated Areas in Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Waters. {SHAPEFILE TITLE} [Shapefile]. Gloucester, MA: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO) [producer] {SHAPEFILE PUBLICATION DATE}. http://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/gis.

*** No Warranty***

The user assumes the entire risk related to its use of these data. NMFS is providing these data "as is," and NMFS disclaims any and all warranties, whether express or implied, including (without limitation) any implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. No warranty expressed or implied is made regarding the accuracy or utility of the data on any other system or for general or scientific purposes, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty. It is strongly recommended that careful attention be paid to the contents of the metadata file associated with these data to evaluate dataset limitations, restrictions or intended use. In no event will NMFS be liable to you or to any third party for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special or exemplary damages or lost profit resulting from any use or misuse of this data.

*** Proper Usage ***

The information on government servers are in the public domain, unless specifically annotated otherwise, and may be used freely by the public. Before using information obtained from this server, special attention should be given to the date and time of the data and products being displayed. This information shall not be modified in content and then presented as official government material. This dataset was created to depict the boundaries of NMFS Regulated Areas in Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Waters (Regulated Areas) only. The dataset should not be used for a legal definition. The dataset should not be used to infer information regarding the existence or details of other marine features or resources, including, but not limited to, navigable waters, coastlines, bathymetry, submerged features, or man-made structures. Users assume responsibility for determining the appropriate use of this dataset.

*** Not the Legal Definition ***

This Geographic Information System (GIS) dataset is not the legal definition of the Regulated Area. The description published in the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations is the only legal definition. This dataset and metadata document provide a broad overview of a subset of applicable fishing regulations, restrictions and requirements; it is not a substitute for the actual regulations. Users are encouraged to read the applicable regulations in conjunction with use of this dataset.

*** Temporal Considerations ***

Regulated Area boundary definitions are subject to change or modification. Published datasets may represent historic, current, or future Regulated Areas. When changes to fishing regulations affect this dataset, it will be archived and replaced by an updated version as soon as feasible. Approved Regulated Area boundaries may also be published prior to their effective date. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure the applicable Regulated Area boundaries are being used.

*** Shorelines/Base Layers ***

The accuracy of this dataset is dependent upon the accuracy and resolution of the datasets (e.g., shoreline, bathymetry, shared administrative boundaries) used in the creation process. Source datasets used are specified in the metadata. These data sources were selected for their suitability to a broad audience, and may not be suitable for specific uses requiring higher-resolution information. Coastlines change. Unless otherwise noted, where the NOAA Medium Resolution Shoreline is used, assume the regulatory boundary reaches the most current coastline delineation available.

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Before being approved for publication, GIS data must comply with the "GARFO GIS Data Distribution Policy." The policy was approved and established by the Regional Administrator in March 2014. Contact the Point of Contact to review a copy of the data distribution policy.

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The GIS Tracking Spreadsheet is a living document. As envisioned, it will be continually updated to show the current state of GIS data that is in development, published, or archived. Individual GIS data will be "archived" when the regulated areas they define are removed from the Code of Federal Regulations. This "archived" data will still be accessible as a historic view of spatial regulations. The data "archived" historic data will be stored in the GIS Drive (G:\) by archive date. The data may also be available on the GARFO GIS website, under a to-be-created page storing historic data. Contact the Point of Contact for more information.

Original and complete shape files are write protected and easily recovered if needed.