Recording: RWSC Recap Discussion Webinar Oceanographic Modeling

On Friday, September 18, RWSC staff and several workshop participants summarized the discussions and next steps identified during two workshops in spring 2026 (one held in Maine and focused on the Gulf of Maine and the other held at State of the Science and focused on U.S. Atlantic waters).

The workshops were held to identify discrete scientific questions and themes related to improving oceanographic modeling and data and the approaches we could take to address them. We rely on oceanographic models to help explain variability in the ocean, to generate data that are used as inputs in species distribution and habitat suitability models, and ultimately to help predict how human activities could affect the ecosystem. All of these uses need constant review, refinement, and improvement. Workshop participants were invited to provide their perspectives on next steps that would make the biggest impact to advance applications of oceanographic models and data for marine life and habitat assessment.

During the webinar, RWSC committed to supporting partners to advance oceanographic modeling and uses to improve decision-making, including:

• Assisting funders by identifying existing data that can be reused to understand drivers and mechanisms behind the relationships between oceanographic processes and marine life/habitat (e.g., zooplankton patchiness, megafauna density).
• Supporting public data repositories and directing data collectors to use the RWSC Recommended Repositories for storing data to facilitate reuse.
• Providing the forums (RWSC Subcommittees‘ meetings) for researchers to collaborate with each other and hear examples of data and research output uses from decision-makers.
• Continuing the discussion on December 9th at a joint meeting of the RWSC Marine Mammal and Habitat & Ecosystem Subcommittees (get meeting invitation).

RWSC also asked for feedback from attendees on other ways that RWSC could help advance this series of topics via a Menti poll. The poll is open through September 24 and can be accessed via: https://www.menti.com/al5k4mhwbpm9