European Atlas of the Seas: a tool for ICM and MSP

The European Atlas of the Seas is a web-based information system capable of helping non-specialist professionals in addressing environmental matters, human activities and management policies related to coastal and marine regions. It is based on graphical data, originating primarily from the European Commission and its Agencies, which present a snapshot of the seas in the European Union and its Outermost Regions. Further, it offers a suite of basic instruments, to derive ad hoc indicators on a wide range of maritime issues. The Atlas is equipped with map services and data analysis tools, such as product-to-product correlations, or time series visualisation, to provide a quick, but detailed and reliable reference source of maps, facts and figures. Its core consists of background data layers, designed to show basic information and to be displayed as map backdrop, plus a number of thematic data layers on geography, nature, tourism, security and safety, people and employment, transport and energy, governance and policies, fisheries and aquaculture. In 2014, the Atlas received 6000 to 8000 visits per month, with an average of 228 per day. It is envisioned that the Atlas maps will provide new tools for the Integrated Coastal Management and Maritime Spatial Planning communities, in Europe and beyond, substituting a scientific approach to the mere political point of view that today commonly guides the organization of sea space.

BARALE Vittorio;  DUSART Jean;  ASSOULINE Michael;  LORENZO ALONSO Alberto; 

2015-12-18

MEDCOAST Coastal Foundation (MEDCOAST Foundation)

JRC97158

978-605-85652-4-1,   

https://www.medcoast.net/modul/index/menu/Proceedings/36,    https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC97158,