Data & Mapping Portal
Welcome to the data and mapping portal for the Gulf of Maine Census. Here, you can explore, download and map biological and physical data from multiple sources. The goal is to provide data that will enhance our understanding of biological patterns in the Gulf of Maine, across space and time.
The mission of the Gulf of Maine Biogeographic Information System (GMBIS) is to support regional needs for access to biological and biogeographical data from the Gulf of Maine area for research, public policy (management) and education. We provide two independent data download and mapping applications. Please explore both and let us know what you think. Enjoy!
Biogeographic and Oceanic Data Integrator – beta

Learn More
Development Team
Lead Software Programmers:
Biological Data Explorer – Joe Hodsdon, student, Department of Computer Science, USM
Biological and Physical Data Integration – Richard Franks, Jr., MS student, Department of Computer Science, USM
System Design:
Nicholas Wolff, Research Associate, Aquatic Systems Group, USM
Bruce MacLeod, Professor, Department of CS, USM
David Briggs, Professor, Department of CS, USM
Contact:
Nicholas Wolff, Database Manager,
Feature Definitions
- Map Biological Data
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Map the following biological datasets: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) Bottom Trawl Survey, Clam and Quahog Survey, Herring Bottom Trawl Survey, Sea Scallop Survey, Shrimp Survey and the Maine – New Hampshire Inshore Groundfish Trawl Survey.
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- Map the Survey Effort
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Map all sample locations, including those where selected species were not found.
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- Add Multiple Species
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Use a comma “,” in the Biogeographical Data Explorer and a plus sign “+” in the Biogeographical and Oceanic Data Integrator to search and map multiple species.
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- Filter Data by Taxa, Time & Region
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Search by taxa and filter (limit) the results within a time period and/or a physiographic region of the Gulf of Maine. Get more information on the physiographic regions
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.
- Download Data in CSV
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Download selected dataset as a comma-separated value (CSV) file.
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- Download Data in OBIS Schema
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The OBIS Schema is the content standard used by OBIS, the Ocean Biogeographic Information System; it is designed for marine biodiversity data.
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- Metadata Available
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Metadata records are available through the Global Change Master Directory (GCMD).
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- Map Physical Data
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Physical data are available from the Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System (GoMOOS) Ocean Circulation Model which is maintained by Huijie Xue and Fei Chai of the Ocean Modelling Group at the University of Maine Orono (UMO). It is based on the Princeton Ocean Model. Monthly averages of sea surface temperature, sea surface salinity, bottom temperature and bottom salinity can be mapped and downloaded.
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- Add External Data (WFS)
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Add WFS (Web Feature Services) layers to bring in data from Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) compliant sources.
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- Integrate Biological & Physical Data
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Integrate (append) physical oceanographic data to the selected biological data and download as one file.
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- Edit Symbols by Species
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Change the color of the selected species and turn multiple species on or off in the map.
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- Download Data in Multiple Formats
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Download data in a variety of formats including JPEG, PNG, SVG, KML/KMZ, GML, PDF, shapefiles and more.
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- Open Source
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Documentation and source code are open source and available to the community.
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Data & Mapping Portal
Welcome to the data and mapping portal for the Gulf of Maine Census. Here, you can explore, download and map biological and physical data from multiple sources. The goal is to provide data that will enhance our understanding of biological patterns in the Gulf of Maine, across space and time.
The mission of the Gulf of Maine Biogeographic Information System (GMBIS) is to support regional needs for access to biological and biogeographical data from the Gulf of Maine area for research, public policy (management) and education. We provide two independent data download and mapping applications. Please explore both and let us know what you think. Enjoy!
Biogeographical Data Explorer
Biogeographic and Oceanic Data Integrator – beta
Learn More
Abstract- Project goals
- PowerPoint tutorial presentation
- Thesis by Richard Franks.
Development Team
Lead Software Programmers:
Biological Data Explorer – Joe Hodsdon, student, Department of Computer Science, USM
Biological and Physical Data Integration – Richard Franks, Jr., MS student, Department of Computer Science, USM
System Design:
Nicholas Wolff, Research Associate, Aquatic Systems Group, USM
Bruce MacLeod, Professor, Department of CS, USM
David Briggs, Professor, Department of CS, USM
Contact:
Nicholas Wolff, Database Manager,
Feature Definitions
Map the following biological datasets: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) Bottom Trawl Survey, Clam and Quahog Survey, Herring Bottom Trawl Survey, Sea Scallop Survey, Shrimp Survey and the Maine – New Hampshire Inshore Groundfish Trawl Survey.
Back to Chart
Map all sample locations, including those where selected species were not found.
Back to Chart
Use a comma “,” in the Biogeographical Data Explorer and a plus sign “+” in the Biogeographical and Oceanic Data Integrator to search and map multiple species.
Back to Chart
Search by taxa and filter (limit) the results within a time period and/or a physiographic region of the Gulf of Maine. Get more information on the physiographic regions
Back to Chart
.
Download selected dataset as a comma-separated value (CSV) file.
Back to Chart
The OBIS Schema is the content standard used by OBIS, the Ocean Biogeographic Information System; it is designed for marine biodiversity data.
Back to Chart
Metadata records are available through the Global Change Master Directory (GCMD).
Back to Chart
Physical data are available from the Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System (GoMOOS) Ocean Circulation Model which is maintained by Huijie Xue and Fei Chai of the Ocean Modelling Group at the University of Maine Orono (UMO). It is based on the Princeton Ocean Model. Monthly averages of sea surface temperature, sea surface salinity, bottom temperature and bottom salinity can be mapped and downloaded.
Back to Chart
Add WFS (Web Feature Services) layers to bring in data from Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC) compliant sources.
Back to Chart
Integrate (append) physical oceanographic data to the selected biological data and download as one file.
Back to Chart
Change the color of the selected species and turn multiple species on or off in the map.
Back to Chart
Download data in a variety of formats including JPEG, PNG, SVG, KML/KMZ, GML, PDF, shapefiles and more.
Back to Chart
Documentation and source code are open source and available to the community.
Back to Chart