The European Atlas of the Seas: Combining Conventional and Satellite Data for Applications in Fisheries and Aquaculture Management

Abstract

The European Atlas of the Seas is a web-based information system aimed at the general public, but capable also of supporting non-specialist professionals in addressing environmental matters, human activities and policies related to the sea. It is based on a combination of in situ and remotely sensed data (originating primarily from the European Commission and its Agencies), which present a snapshot of both natural and socio-economic elements of coastal and marine regions in the European Union. Further, it provides a suite of basic instruments for map analysis and space/time correlation, to derive ad hoc indicators on maritime issues such as fisheries and aquaculture. The Atlas constists of “background layers” (i.e. World Terrain Base, World Imagery, Ocean Base Map), designed to provide basic information and to be displayed as map backdrop, and a number of “thematic layers”, classified under eight main categories (i.e. geography, nature, tourism, security and safety, people and employment, transport and energy, governance and European policies, fisheries and aquaculture). A suitable blend of conventional and satellite data may translate into indicators of economic relevance for aquaculture and fisheries. In 2013, the European Atlas of the Seas received 81906 visits (225 per day) from 69411 unique visitors (190 per day), while on average 600 maps are viewed every day. It is envisioned that the Atlas will become a major asset for the Maritime Spatial Planning community, in Europe and beyond, substituting a scientific approach to the mere political point of view that today commonly guides management of sea space.