MIT Sea Grant (MITSG) is currently utilizing the Seaglass framework with Massachusetts towns for a cloud-based system that streamlines operations in shellfishing management, facilitates sharing of shellfish data, and increases transparency and accessibility to permit holders. This system will help users understand what embayments can be fished, the rules behind a closure decision, and the data supporting rules. MITSG developed the Seaglass geospatial data analysis and visualization system initially for the Nantucket Natural Resources Department (NNRD), for analysis and visualization of its entire 40-sensor dataset, and to streamline its analysis workflow. NNRD uses Seaglass for data queries, auto-calculation of annual health indices, analysis, visualization and download, which has resulted in reduced employee hours and reduced error in data reporting. Workflow time was reduced from 240 hours to 30 hours, for a time savings of 88%. Seaglass provides for immediate dissemination of engaging and mobile-friendly data visualizations to the public as well, addressing the need for data diversification and outreach effort by research communities. MITSG has also worked with the National Marine Fisheries Service to develop new features that will improve workflows in habitat assessment, and with scientists to develop modeling and simulation workflows using satellite and in-situ data via application programming interfaces (APIs).
Seaglass utilizes data services and APIs for direct access to a wide variety of data, including satellite data hosted via DAACs such as PO.DAAC and OB.DAAC, as well as point-based services like Ambient Weather and NCEI. Users can also upload their own data into the system database via a simple, adaptive procedure, and can utilize and download data from this database or any of the internally-linked data services. All data uploaded into the system database can be made available via the system’s own API, for use by external analysis and visualization systems. The emphasis on data services and APIs allows for more efficient queries of remote databases and more timely sharing of data collected, reducing wasteful duplication of data and overhead of data transfer. This approach allows data generators can focus on storage, and make their data available via a robust and secure data service for web developers and UX designers to use in building interfaces.