The Long Island Sound Data Navigator is a query-able one stop directory that, in lieu of hosting the data itself, points to where the data can be found and connect users with the organizations generating the data of interest. This tool was drafted, reviewed and is now available to assist resource managers, scientists, educators and other data users. Access the LIS Data Navigator Home Page.
An interactive ArcGIS Online map featuring the locations of some of the remotely operated vehicle (ROV) dives in the Phase IIIB area in the Fall, 2024. Clicking on the points on the map brings up metadata for each dive, including a link to a short (2-3 minute) video of the seafloor at that location. The ROV dive sites were selected to target areas with hard bottom such as boulders and ledges and many of the sites feature the same dominant taxa such as the northern star coral (Astrangia poculata), the dead man’s fingers sponge (Haliclona oculata) and the yellow boring sponge (Cliona celata).
A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) expedition was conducted during the first week in June (2-6) to the west-central area of the Sound to re-visit high priority sites that were first visited in the fall, 2024. The Boxfish Alpha ROV was deployed from the Research Vessel Lowell Weicker at eight sites in the Phase III area of the LIS Mapping Initiative. These sites were selected as they represented hard rock or boulder areas in the Sound that could not be easily sampled or imaged using the U.S. Geological Survey’s SEABOSS.
Map of west-central Long Island Sound showing the locations of the priority sites targeted for the June, 2025 ROV cruise
The Boxfish Alpha is a small observation class remotely operated vehicle (ROV) with an internal battery for power and a thin fiber optic tether that allows for live transmission and recording of 4K video.
The Final Report of the workshop held at UConn Avery Point on April 4, 2024 is now available, and provides a summary of the recorded feedback provided by spatial data users from throughout the Long Island Sound Region on the need for and nature of a Decision Support Tool (DST) for the Sound. Prior to the workshop a Geospatial Data Survey was developed and sent to over 1500 individuals representing a wide variety of data users. The survey was completed by 282 respondents who answered a total of 15 questions that helped identify: (1) from where users are accessing data, (2) preferential data formats, (3) the big picture uses of data, and (4) the biggest challenges to using the data. A summary of the survey is provided in the Workshop Report that is available here.
