The 3-D Bathymetric Model of Boca Grande Pass

In support of the tarpon hook-and-release study and a request by the St. Petersburg Times, scientists from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) created a map of Boca Grande Pass in May 2003.

Using ArcGIS, researchers created a detailed picture of Boca Grande Pass based on water depth points collected by scientists from FWRI and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Anglers, scientists, and the public can see the pass in a traditional map format, or they can also view a three-dimensional perspective of the map. In addition to standard maps, researchers have produced a short movie in which viewers can "fly" through and around Boca Grande Pass.

Researchers have also produced a three-dimensional, Virtual Reality Modeling Language (VRML) model. When users open the model in a VRML viewer, they can interactively pan, zoom, and rotate it. In addition, an information pamphlet about new tarpon fishing regulations within the pass has been produced showing perspective views of the pass.