The Nature’s Conservancy South Atlantic Bight Marine Assessment (SABMA) has been published online. The assessment is a data collection and analysis initiative designed to improve understanding of the regional distribution of key habitats and species. More information is available on the Nature Conservancy website.

Access the full PDF here.

Why the Assessment?

The SABMA is a mechanism to empower stakeholders to develop strategies for long-term sustainability of the South Atlantic Bight’s ecological services – from the fisheries that feed human populations to the reefs and barrier islands that absorb wave action and storm surges as sea level rises.

See story map of putting the SABMA into action.

What is it?

The SABMA is an online document and mapping product that provides regional baseline spatial data on the distribution and status of seafloor habitats, coastal systems, marine mammals and sea turtles.

The SABMA breaks down ocean resources into:

• Coastal Ecosystems:  Chapter 2 / Data Description / Download Data
• Seafloor Habitat: Chapter 3 / Data Description / Download Data
• Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles: Chapter 4 / Data Description / Download Data
• Important Places (Portfolio): Chapter 5 / Download Data
  • Data Description of the Coastal Portfolio
  • Data Description of the Integrated Offshore Portfolio
  • Data Description of the Migratory Species Portfolio
  • Data Description of the Seafloor Portfolio

View the story map for short synapsis on each section.

Learn More

The full report, data and associated materials are available through the Nature Conservancy website.

Funding

This project was supported by grants from the U.S. Department of Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through the Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association.