Ocean people, let’s populate this new Planet Ocean on Google Earth. UNEP and World Commission for Protected Areas just released a global marine protected area (MPA) data layer. Check it out. It’s feels good to see all those little dots pop-up on the Big Blue Marble.
But its just a georeferenced framework with holes that need filling. For example, Flower Garden Banks (FGB) has only one photo of one fish. Where’s all the coral? "Airplane" is a protected area in the northern mid-Atlantic with no information other than the fact that fishing is not allowed.
Fortunately, the Planet Ocean framework allows you to upload stories, pictures, and even videos, so each of us can pick a favorite spot to practice our window decoration. I’ll dig into FGB and the other Texas Banks with colleagues here. What’s your favorite place underwater? -PJE
