George Sedberry

Position: Senior Marine Scientist

Organization: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

Description: The SEA-GEOFISH (SouthEAst GEOgraphic Fishery-Independent Survey and Historical) Database is a web-based mapping application aimed at presenting data from a long-term fishery survey conducted by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). The geographic database includes data collected during more than 30 years of research cruises aimed at sampling fishes and fish habitat off the Atlantic coast of the southeastern U.S. Surveys have been conducted since 1973, using a variety of fish sampling gear such as trawls, traps and baited hooks. The survey sampled mainly from Cape Fear, North Carolina to Cape Canaveral, Florida, with some sampling outside this range. The maps include distribution of fish species; data on abundance, biomass, diversity and spawning; and information on management and jurisdiction. The application also offers users as series of GIS-based analysis tools for a greater understanding of the data. This collaborative effort between NOAA Coastal Services Center and SCDNR is designed to serve as an educational too that stakeholders, particularly resource managers, can use to aid in their management decisions. For additional information, contact George Sedberry at SCDNR