Howell Conservation Fund supported Blue Latitudes Foundation’s FishLAT project, a GIS-based spatial planning tool designed to integrate fisheries data into offshore energy decision-making. In 2024, HCF funding helped finalize FishLAT’s development in the Gulf of Mexico, build a centralized California fisheries database, and design the FishLAT web portal on Figma, ensuring accessibility and usability for stakeholders.
FishLAT plays a critical role in responsible oil platform decommissioning and offshore wind development, ensuring these processes are guided by the best available environmental data. With support from HCF’s 2023-24 Catalytic Grant, the project expanded its scope by gathering essential ecological and fisheries data in California and developing an interactive online platform for researchers, policymakers, and conservationists.
By fostering data-driven decision-making and public engagement, FishLAT empowers stakeholders to safeguard marine environments and support sustainable ocean conservation efforts.
Making informed decisions about offshore energy development requires accurate fisheries data, especially in regions where oil platform removal and offshore wind farms are being developed. FishLAT aims to bridge the gap by providing easy access to this critical data.
Blue Latitudes Foundation is building and enhancing FishLAT to support conservation efforts. With HCF’s grant, they have:
New Users: Three organizations are now actively using FishLAT for Rigs-to-Reefs and artificial reef planning, demonstrating its real-world application in sustainable offshore energy management.
Web Portal: Completion of a web portal design that makes FishLAT an accessible and user-friendly spatial planning tool for researchers, policymakers, and conservationists.
Stakeholder Engagement: Project funding supported participation in events and outreach initiatives, ensuring FishLAT’s visibility and adoption among key decision-makers in marine conservation and offshore energy sectors.
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