Request for Comment on Satellite-Derived Bathymetry Addition to Standard Ocean Mapping Protocol

The NOMEC Council and the Interagency Working Group on Ocean and Coastal Mapping (IWG-OCM) have issued a public request for comment on proposed draft addendums to the Standard Ocean Mapping Protocol (SOMP). The SOMP was originally developed under Objective 2.1 of the National Strategy for Ocean Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, with the goal of standardizing data acquisition, stewardship, and management across key ocean sensing capabilities. The original SOMP, released in April 2024, covers six sensing domains: bathymetry, seabed backscatter, water column backscatter, side scan sonar imagery, sub-bottom profiling, and magnetometer data. The new draft addendums specifically target the Bathymetry and Data Management chapters to incorporate Satellite-Derived Bathymetry (SDB) — a method of estimating seafloor depth using satellite imagery rather than traditional acoustic sensors. SDB represents a significant technological evolution in ocean mapping, offering broader spatial coverage and lower cost compared to ship-based sonar methods, particularly for shallow coastal waters. By integrating SDB into the SOMP, federal agencies aim to promote consistency and interoperability in how this emerging data type is collected, processed, and managed across government programs. All interested parties — including research institutions, private sector mapping companies, environmental organizations, and coastal management agencies — are invited to submit input on the draft addendums during the public comment period.

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