Managing Web Components of the National Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program (MMHSRP) System Presented by: Angela D. Collins-Payne Information Manager, MMHSRP Curtis Allen Senior Information Analyst, RSIS

Marine Mammal Stranding When a marine mammal stranding occurs in the United States, Stranding Network Participates complete a Marine Mammal Stranding Report - Level A Data form (NOAA OMB Form ). When a marine mammal stranding occurs in the United States, Stranding Network Participates complete a Marine Mammal Stranding Report - Level A Data form (NOAA OMB Form ). If the animal requires rehabilitation due to injuries, the Stranding Network Participant must also complete a Marine Mammal Rehabilitation Disposition Report form (NOAA OMB Form ). If the animal requires rehabilitation due to injuries, the Stranding Network Participant must also complete a Marine Mammal Rehabilitation Disposition Report form (NOAA OMB Form ). The forms are sent to NMFS Regional Stranding Coordinator. The forms are sent to NMFS Regional Stranding Coordinator.

NMFS Regional Stranding Coordinators are collecting and managing the standing information within their region and providing the data to Headquarters for management decisions.

Problems Accessing National Marine Mammal Stranding Data: Each region and network participant stores data from the Marine Mammal Stranding Form (Level A) differently: DATABASE, SPREADSHEET or FILE CABINET. Each region and network participant stores data from the Marine Mammal Stranding Form (Level A) differently: DATABASE, SPREADSHEET or FILE CABINET. Data consistency and integrity does not exist among the regional database systems. Data consistency and integrity does not exist among the regional database systems. Data entry standards vary in each regional database system. Data entry standards vary in each regional database system. Manual reviews of stranding forms in regional offices that do not have a database are time-consuming, inefficient and highly dependent on human intervention. Manual reviews of stranding forms in regional offices that do not have a database are time-consuming, inefficient and highly dependent on human intervention. It is difficult for headquarters to access regional data to analyze trends, graphs or charts and nearly impossible to do it nationally. It is difficult for headquarters to access regional data to analyze trends, graphs or charts and nearly impossible to do it nationally.

Solution: MMHSRP National Database System The Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program National Database will:  Meet mandate under Title IV, Section 401 of Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA).  Facilitate the collection and dissemination of reference data on the health and populations of marine mammals  Consolidate marine mammal data regionally and nationally  Provide data consistency and integrity to track and correlate data on physical, chemical and biological factors affecting marine mammals  Coordinate effective responses to unusual mortality events as established in Section 404

MMHSRP National Database System Benefits to the Users Provide a central location for users to add, view and update marine mammal stranding data real-time Provide a central location for users to add, view and update marine mammal stranding data real-time Provide the ability for users to view marine mammal stranding data at a regional and national level from a generic canned report. Provide the ability for users to view marine mammal stranding data at a regional and national level from a generic canned report. The report will contain fields that have been mandated by congress under the MMPA, Section 402, for stranding network participants and other qualified scientists to view. The report will contain fields that have been mandated by congress under the MMPA, Section 402, for stranding network participants and other qualified scientists to view. The web site will provide updates and news for users to increase communication across the nation and between and within regions. The web site will provide updates and news for users to increase communication across the nation and between and within regions. Automatic upload of cetacean data to Smithsonian Institute database Automatic upload of cetacean data to Smithsonian Institute database

The MMHSRP National Database – Internet Accessible The MMHSRP National Database will provide all Stranding Network Participants and NMFS Regional Stranding Coordinators a centralize database system that can be accessed from a restricted web site using an internet browser.

Before the system went into production, 15 Stranding Network Participants were selected to beta test the National Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program. Region Number of Tester Alaska2 Hawaii0 Northeast2 Northwest1 Southeast3 Southwest6

Stranding Network Phase In for Each Region Northeast and Northwest Regions Northeast and Northwest Regions Spring 2004 Spring 2004 Alaska, Pacific Islands and Southeast Regions Alaska, Pacific Islands and Southeast Regions Spring 2004 Spring 2004 Southwest Region Southwest Region Fall 2004 Fall 2004

MMHSRP National Database Security  Each user will be given a user id and password after contacting their NMFS Regional Stranding Coordinator via or letter.  Only 2 user ids and passwords will be issued to designated individuals of each stranding organization.  If the facility requires an additional user, a written request and explanation by or letter needs to be sent to the NMFS Regional Stranding Coordinator.  Users will only be able to edit and view their data.  Every record created or modified in the database will have the user’s id and a time/date stamp for computer security auditing.

MMHSRP National Database Security (Continues)  When a marine mammal stranding record is established in the system, the stranding network participant can make changes to record until the record is “completed”.  Once the record is “completed”, the NMFS Regional Stranding Coordinator will validate the information. The data record is then archived. It can be accessed at any time by the stranding network participant. However, It can not be accessed for additional modifications. If it is necessary to make an update to a particular data record that has been archived, the user will contact their NMFS Regional Stranding Coordinator.If it is necessary to make an update to a particular data record that has been archived, the user will contact their NMFS Regional Stranding Coordinator.

MMHSRP National Database Security (Continues)  Finally, if there is any improper use of the data or security information, accessibility to the system will be denied pending the outcome of an investigation by the  NMFS Office of the Chief Information Officer,  NMFS General Counsel and  Office of Protected Resources.

NMFS Regional Stranding Coordinator Validation Process An will be sent to the stranding network participant if a change has been made to their Level A data by the NMFS Regional Stranding Coordinator An will be sent to the stranding network participant if a change has been made to their Level A data by the NMFS Regional Stranding Coordinator An addendum will be added to the Level A data record containing the updated data field, the person who changed it and the reason. An addendum will be added to the Level A data record containing the updated data field, the person who changed it and the reason. If the stranding network participant disputes the change made by the NMFS Regional Stranding Coordinator, an outside expert will be needed to evaluate the changes. If the stranding network participant disputes the change made by the NMFS Regional Stranding Coordinator, an outside expert will be needed to evaluate the changes.

Data Quality Assurance Act The MMHSRP web site provides the public with some assurances on the level of quality of the marine mammal stranding data obtained by the program. The MMHSRP web site provides the public with some assurances on the level of quality of the marine mammal stranding data obtained by the program. Under Section 515 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (Public Law , the Data Quality Assurance Act), the Office of Management & Budget (OMB) issued government-wide guidelines that "provide policy procedural guidance to federal agencies for ensuring and maximizing the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of information (including statistical information) disseminated by federal agencies.” Under Section 515 of the Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2001 (Public Law , the Data Quality Assurance Act), the Office of Management & Budget (OMB) issued government-wide guidelines that "provide policy procedural guidance to federal agencies for ensuring and maximizing the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of information (including statistical information) disseminated by federal agencies.” Creates mechanism for public to request correction of information that doesn’t comply with guidelines. Creates mechanism for public to request correction of information that doesn’t comply with guidelines.

Marine Mammal Data Access Policy Data Quality Act and Disclaimer for MMHSRP

Marine Mammal Data Access Policy  A data access policy is currently being developed to describe the procedures for accessing information from the database and will be available for public comment in Summer  Since the information collected on each stranded animal is obtained from third parties with a wide variety of abilities (our stranding network participants) and changes in animal status or interpretation may occur prior to updating this database. We have developed four confidence levels of the data for this system:  (1) unconfirmed - low  (2) confirmed - minimum  (3) confirmed – medium  (4) confirmed – high Stranding network participants will continue to fax or mail their original Level A and rehabilitation disposition forms for regional validation until further notified by their regional coordinator.

MMHSRP System Components Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program Infrastructure Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program Infrastructure Demonstration of Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program System Demonstration of Marine Mammal Health and Stranding Response Program System

MMHSRP Demonstration

Future MMHSRP National System Overview

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