Highlights for December 22, 2000
USGS Center for Biological Informatics

I. Key Department News:

• USGS/CBI Staff Member Serves on NRC Committee for Study Requested by Congress: The USGS Center for Biological Informatics announces the availability of a new publication, “Improving the Collection, Management, and Use of Marine Fisheries Data.” National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) staff member Karen Kaye worked as a National Research Council (NRC) committee author of this report that responds to a request by Congress for advice related to the assessments of summer flounder stocks along the East Coast of the United States. Following the initial request, the NRC, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), and congressional staff agreed to broaden the request to a more comprehensive study of marine fisheries data collection, management, and use, resulting in the current book. Congress will use this newly published report in considering amendments to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. This report is available to the public through the National Academy Press and can be ordered and perused at http://books.nap.edu/catalog/9969.html. (Karen Kaye, Reston, 703-648-4219)

II. Agency Works on Presidential Initiatives:

• National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) Program Utilizes Metadata Training Cadre: The National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) program utilizes a training cadre to accomplish its metadata training mission. Sharon Shin of the Center for Biological Informatics (CBI) manages and coordinates training activities including scheduling training personnel who are employed by both Other Agencies and other USGS offices.
  

  Workshops scheduled for January include:

  • a two-day workshop for the Southern California Coastal Research Project in Westminster, CA, January 18-19, 2001,

  • followed by a workshop for Inter-America Biodiversity Information Network (IABIN) and other interested parties on January 30-31, 2001 in Miami, FL., and

  • a workshop and laboratory being provided by NBII and National Park Service January 30-31, 2001 at the Denver Federal Center.

  For more information on the NBII Metadata Training Program, see http://www.nbii.gov/about/pubs/factsheet/factsheet8.html. (Sharon Shin, Denver, 303-202-4230)

III. Notable Congressional Activity: No report.

IV. Press/Media Inquiries: No report.

V. FOIA Requests: No report.