The US territorial sea is a maritime zone, over which the United States exercises sovereignty. Each coastal State claims a territorial sea that extends seaward up to 12 nautical miles from its coastal baseline. As defined by maritime law, the coastal State exercises sovereignty over its territorial sea, the air space above it, and the seabed and subsoil beneath it. The U.S. territorial sea extends 12 nautical miles from the coastal baseline. The zone is usually used in concert with several other Limits and Boundary Lines for Maritime purposes.Maritime limits for the United States are measured from the US baseline, which is recognized as the low-water line along the coast as marked on NOAA's nautical charts. The baseline and related maritime limits are reviewed and approved by the interagency US Baseline Committee. The Office of Coast Survey depicts on its nautical charts the territorial sea (12nm), contiguous zone (24nm), and exclusive economic zone (200nm, plus maritime boundaries with adjacent/opposite countries. US maritime limits are ambulatory and subject to revision based on accretion or erosion of the charted low water line. Dataset SummaryThis map service contains data from NOAA and BOEM sources that address USA Regional coastal areas and are designed to be used together within an ArcGIS.com web map. These include: World Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) from NOAA Office of Coast SurveyContiguous Zone (CZ) from NOAA Office of Coast SurveyTerritorial Sea (TS) Boundary from NOAA Office of Coast SurveyRevenue Sharing Boundary [Section 8(g) of OCSLA Zone Boundary] from Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)Submerged Land Act Boundaries (SLA) aka State Seaward Boundary (SSB)State Administrative Boundary from Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)Continental Shelf Boundary (CSB) from Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)Regional Maritime Planning Area Boundaries from NOAA Office of Coast SurveyInternational Provisional Maritime Boundary from NOAA (International Boundary Commission)The data for this layer were obtained from MarineCadastre.gov and is updated regularly.More information about U.S. Maritime Limits and BoundariesLink to source metadataWhat can you do with this layer?The features in this layer are used for areas and limits of coastal planning areas, or offshore planning areas, applied within ArcGIS Desktop and ArcGIS Online. A depiction of the territorial sea boundaries helps disputing parties reach an agreement as in the case of one state's boundary overlapping with another state's territorial sea, in which case the border is taken as the median point between the states' baselines, unless the states in question agree otherwise. A state can also choose to claim a smaller territorial sea.Conflicts still occur whenever a coastal nation claims an entire gulf as its territorial waters while other nations only recognize the more restrictive definitions of the UN convention. Two recent conflicts occurred in the Gulf of Sidra where Libya has claimed the entire gulf as its territorial waters and the US has twice enforced freedom of navigation rights, in the 1981 and 1989 Gulf of Sidra incidents.This layer is a feature service, which means it can be used for visualization and analysis throughout the ArcGIS Platform. This layer is not editable.

Marine jurisdictions define the U.S. boundaries and limits for sovereignty, exclusive rights, and control over maritime areas off its coast. These limits are measured from the U.S. baseline, defined as the low-water line along the coast and marked on NOAA's nautical charts, in accordance with the Law of the Sea. The U.S. Baseline Committee reviews and approves the baseline and related maritime limits. NOAA’s Office of Coast Survey updates these limits and boundaries on nautical charts, including the territorial sea (12 nautical miles), contiguous zone (24 nautical miles), and exclusive economic zone (200 nautical miles), along with maritime boundaries with neighboring countries. U.S. maritime limits are subject to changes due to natural processes such as accretion or erosion.State Seaward Boundary: Defined by the Submerged Lands Act of 1953, this boundary extends 3 nautical miles (nmi) from the baseline, except for Texas, the Gulf coast of Florida, and Puerto Rico, where it extends 9 nmi. This boundary marks the extent of state jurisdiction.Revenue Sharing Boundary: Established by Section 8(g) of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, this boundary extends 3 nmi beyond the State Seaward Boundary. Revenues from resources such as oil and gas in this area are shared between the federal government and the coastal state.Territorial Sea: Extended to 12 nmi from the U.S. baseline by Presidential Proclamation 5928 in 1988, in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The U.S. exercises full sovereignty over this area, including the airspace above and the subsoil below.Contiguous Zone: Extending from 12 to 24 nmi from the U.S. baseline, this zone allows the U.S. to enforce laws related to customs, fiscal matters, immigration, and sanitation to prevent violations within its territory or territorial sea, in line with international law.Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ): Extending from 3 to 200 miles offshore (5 to 322 km), or 9 to 200 miles (14.5 to 322 km) offshore in western Florida and Texas, the EEZ grants the U.S. jurisdiction over economic activities and resource management, including the exploration, exploitation, conservation, and management of natural resources, in accordance with international law.Data and MetadataUS Marine LimitsUS Revenue SharingUS State SeawardOriginal Plate from 1985 Atlas: Political Boundaries and Maritime Zones (.pdf)This is a component of the Gulf Data Atlas (V1.0) for the Jurisdictions topic area.

This dataset contains salt marsh productivity projections under different sea level rise scenarios for the northern Gulf of Mexico (Florida panhandle, Alabama, and Mississippi) using a coupled hydrodynamic-marsh model called Hydro-MEM (Alizad et al. 2016a and 2016b). The modeled outputs were derived through integrated modeling of tidal hydrodynamics (ADCIRC) and marsh productivity (Marsh Equilibrium Model, or MEM) that incorporates dynamic feedbacks among physical and biological processes. The Hydro-MEM model incorporates biological feedback by including the MEM accretion formulation, while also implementing a friction coefficient effect that varies between subtidal and intertidal states. The Hydro-MEM model is capable of capturing the biophysical feedback that modifies relative salt marsh elevation and the biological feedback on hydrodynamics (Alizad et al. 2016a).

There are two types of Hydro-MEM model outputs resulting from the Ecological Effects of Sea Level Rise Northern Gulf of Mexico (EESLR-NGOM) project: 1) Salt Marsh Productivity (Low/Medium/High) [202MB total file size, 919 files (unzipped)] and 2) Mean High Water [431 MB total file size, 137 files (unzipped)]. These outputs were generated for areas surrounding the following National Estuarine Research Reserves: Apalachicola (FL), Weeks Bay (AL), and Grand Bay (MS). Each Hydro-MEM model output, described above, is provided for incremental time steps (5 or 20Y) for the following 5 sea level rise scenarios (Parris et al. 2012): Initial Condition (no change from c. 2000 mean sea level (MSL)), Low (+0.2m from MSL), Intermediate-Low (+0.5m from MSL), Intermediate-High (+1.2m from MSL), and High (+2.0m from MSL). Mean high water data are provided for each SLR scenario for two timesteps (2050 and 2100).

This dataset contains oceanographic data collected in deep water areas south and southeast of the flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS), including Keathley Canyon and adjacent parts of the Sigsbee Escarpment, and areas on the West Florida Escarpment southwest of Tampa. Daily ROV dives were conducted with full shore-based science participation. Evening and nighttime mapping and CTD operations were also conducted and focused in depths less than 500 m. Most of the operations, including the transit, were conducted within the 200nm exclusive economic zone (EEZ) maritime boundary of the United States of America.

ABSTRACT: A shapefile of 311 undersea features from all major oceans and seas has been created as an aid for retrieving georeferenced information resources. The geographic extent of the shapefile is 0 degrees E to 0 degrees W longitude and 75 degrees S to 90 degrees N latitude. Many of the undersea features (UF) in the shapefile were selected from a list assembled by Weatherall and Cramer (2008) in a report from the British Oceanographic Data Centre (BODC) to the General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO) Sub-Committee on Undersea Feature Names (SCUFN). Annex II of the Weatherall and Cramer report (p. 20-22) lists 183 undersea features that "may need additional points to define their shape" and includes online links to additional BODC documents providing coordinate pairs sufficient to define detailed linestrings for these features. For the first phase of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) project, Wingfield created polygons for 87 of the undersea features on the BODC list, using the linestrings as guides; the selected features were primarily ridges, rises, trenches, fracture zones, basins, and seamount chains. In the second phase of the USGS project, Wingfield and Hartwell created polygons for an additional 224 undersea features, mostly basins, abyssal plains, and fracture zones. Because USGS is a Federal agency, the attribute tables follow the conventions of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) GEOnet Names Server (http://earth-info.nga.mil/gns/html).

This dataset includes ADCP data collected aboard NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter in the Coastal Waters of Florida, Coastal Waters of Mississippi, and Gulf of Mexico from 2020-03-28 to 2020-03-30. These data include CURRENT SPEED - EAST/WEST COMPONENT (U) and CURRENT SPEED - NORTH/SOUTH COMPONENT (V). The instruments used to collect these data include ADCP and GPS. The NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) submitted these data to NCEI.

The Islands in the Stream expedition explored protected and unprotected deep water coral reefs and hard-bottom communities throughout the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic regions. Historically studied as isolated environments, scientists made discoveries that helped link these deep water communities (or "islands") that lie beneath the Yucatan, Loop and Gulf Stream currents (i.e., the 'stream'). The voyage also helped to document pieces of our maritime heritage and engaged the public through numerous education and outreach events. Islands in the Stream was a three-month scientific expedition to marine protected areas and other habitats being considered for protection from offshore of Belize in Central America to North Carolina's continental shelf. 'Islands' are the coral reefs and hard-bottom (also called 'hard substrate') biological communities found along the course of a massive "stream" of ocean currents connecting the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the western Atlantic off North America. This expedition emphasized habitat characterization and an understanding of these islands' 'connection' as parts of an interrelated ecosystem. Though separated by large expanses of ocean water, the fishes, corals, and invertebrates common to these islands demonstrated that the health and vitality of "downstream" islands are linked closely to those located 'upstream.' The expedition was conducted in two major segments: The Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico Expedition (from Belize to the Dry Tortugas at the tip of the Florida Keys) and the South Altantic Bight Expedition (from Oculina Bank Reserve, off Florida's Atlantic Coast, to three sites off the North Carolina continental.

Satellite-derived data for sea surface temperature, salinity, chlorophyll; euphotic depth; and modeled bottom to surface temperature differences were evaluated to assess the utility of these products as proxies for in situ measurements. The data were used to classify surface waters in three regions of the Gulf of Mexico using subcomponents and modifiers from the Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (CMECS) Water Column Component (WC) to determine if CMECS categories could be affectively used to categorize in situ data into meaningful management units. The Naval Research Laboratory at the Stennis Space Center (NRL/SSC) processed MODIS-Aqua satellite imagery covering the Gulf of Mexico from January 2005 to December 2009. Daily, level-1B image files from the NASA LAADS Web were processed through the NRL/SSC Automated Processing System (APS). Sea surface temperature and salinity were classified into CMECS WC temperature and salinity subcomponent categories, respectively.Three modifiers from the WC were also used for the pelagic classification: water column stability, productivity, and photic quality. Modeled bottom to surface temperature differences were used to assign classification for water column stability, surface chlorophyll was used to determine productivity, and euphotic depth was used to indicate the photic quality. Maps showing the CMECS Water Column Component classes for chlorophyll concentration, euphotic depth, sea surface salinity, sea surface temperature (HDF4), and bottom-to-surface temperatures (netCDF) were produced from the APS output images.

These data were taken from the Division of Marine Fisheries' (DMF) Commercial Lobster Catch Database with records from 1990-2001. The polygon vector data represents DMF's Statistical Reporting Areas, which include a subset of the NOAA Fisheries', also known as the National Marine Fisheries Service, reporting areas. Data is presented as the maximum number of pots fished in a statistical reporting area by year and license type, and the total pounds of lobster harvested in that area by year and license type. The 25 distinct "statistical reporting areas" cover a large portion of the Gulf of Maine and south, including the territorial waters of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Fourteen of the areas compose the territorial waters, while the other 11 match those of the National Marine Fisheries Service areas for offshore bodies of water bordering the Commonwealth's territorial areas, including George's Bank. These areas are used mainly on maps for fishermen to report their landings (including lobster harvest), as well as for producing plots in various Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) annual publications showing landings per area.

Marine chemistry, fish / shell-fish surveys, benthic organisms, and marine toxic substances and pollutants data were collected using current meter and other instruments from J.W. POWELL and other platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. Data were collected from 26 January 1993 to 13 June 1994. Data were submitted by Dr. Gary Wolf of Texas A&M University with support from the Gulf of Mexico Offshore Operations Monitoring Experiment (GOOMEX).

The F069 format is used for data from chemical analyses of seawater samples. Cruise information, position, date, and time is reported for each station along with sample depth, temperature, salinity, and density (sigma-t). Chemical and biochemical parameters that may be reported include: dissolved oxygen, nitrate, nitrite, ammonia, inorganic phosphate, and silicate; dissolved organic carbon, particulate organic carbon, and particulate organic nitrogen; and apparent oxygen utilization, percent oxygen saturation, adenosine triphosphate, total phaeophytin, total chlorophyll, total suspended matter, total recoverable petroleum hydrocarbons, and total resolved light hydrocarbons.

The F123 format is used for data from field sampling of marine fish and shellfish. The data derive from analysis of midwater or bottom tow catches and provide information on population density and distribution. Cruise information, position, date, time, gear type, fishing distance and duration, and number of hauls are reported for each survey. Environmental data may include meteorological conditions, surface and bottom temperature and salinity, and current direction and speed. Bottom trawl or other gear dimensions and characteristics are also reported. Catch statistics (e.g., weight, volume, number of fish per unit volume) may be reported for both total haul and for individual species. Biological characteristics of selected specimens, predator/ prey information (from stomach contents analysis), and growth data may also be included. A text record is available for comments.

The F132 contains data from field sampling or surveys of bottom dwelling marine organisms. The data provide information on species abundance, distribution, and biomass; they may have been collected by point sampling (grab or core), by tow (dredge, trawl or net), by photographic surveys, or by other methods. Cruise information such as vessel, start and end dates, investigator, and institution/agency; station numbers, positions and times; and equipment and methods are reported for each survey. Environmental data reported at each sampling site may include meteorological and sea surface conditions; surface and bottom temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen; and sediment characteristics. Number of individual organisms and total weight of organisms is reported for each species. A text record is available for comments.

The F144 contains data on ambient concentrations of toxic substances and other pollutants in the marine environment. The data derive from laboratory analyses of samples of water, sediment, or marine organisms. Samples may have been collected near marine discharge sites or during ocean monitoring surveys of large areas. Field observations of tar deposits on beaches may also be reported. Survey information includes platform type, start and end dates, and investigator and institution. If data are collected near a discharge site, discharge location, depth, distance to shore, average volume, and other characteristics are reported. Position, date, time and environmental conditions are reported for each sample station. Environmental data may include meteorological and sea surface conditions, tide stage and height, depth of the thermocline or mixed layer surface temperature and salinity, and wave height and periods. Sample characteristics, collection methods, and laboratory techniques are reported for each sample collected and analyzed. The data record comprises concentration values (or a code to indicate trace amounts) for each chemical substance analyzed. Chemical substances are identified by codes based on the registry numbers assigned by the Chemical Abstracts Service (CAS) of the American Chemical Society. Marine organisms from which samples have been taken are identified using the 12-digit NODC Taxonomic Code. A text record is available for optional comments.

This accession contains 99 sets of data collected as part of Shipboard Environmental data Acquisition System (SEAS) III program in North Pacific Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, and Gulf of Mexico. The cruises were conducted using multiple different ships. The bathythermograph (XBT) data was collected between August 22, 1992 and July 4, 1994. The data was sent from the cruise ships to the National Ocean Service, Rockville, MD via telecommunication.