In 2024, EMODnet contributed to the writing of the MSPglobal Data Toolbox: Volume 1 – How to develop a Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) for Marine Spatial Planning, a guidance document developed by the MSPglobal initiative. MSPglobal is a joint initiative by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO-IOC) and the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (EC DG MARE) to develop and implement international guidelines on Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP).
The MSPglobal Data Toolbox addresses key components of SDI development, emphasising the critical role of a SDI in MSP initiatives by supporting data governance, standardisation, interoperability, security and maintenance. It is designed to equip MSP practitioners with the tools and knowledge necessary to develop and maintain a robust SDI that support long-term marine planning objectives.
Two EMODnet Human Activities data products were highlighted to demonstrate the definitions of output data and spatial data coverage. As such, EMODnet Human Activities’ MSP data layer was highlighted as an example of harmonised output data of an SDI. And the EMSA Route Density Map was used to explain how data, in this case marine traffic data provided by the Automatic Identification System (AIS) satellite system, that span two spatial axes (x and y) and one temporal axis (t), form a three-dimensional x/y/t image time series.
Furthermore, EMODnet was mentioned in the framework of data interoperability and metadata, and as regional integrator of marine data from EU Member States to support among others research and policy makers.
Figure 1. EMODnet is highlighted as a case study of output data in the MSPglobal Data Toolbox. © UNESCO-IOC and UNESCO-LINKS. 2024. EMSPglobal Data Toolbox: Volume 1 – How to develop a Spatial Data Infrastructure for Marine Spatial Planning. Paris, UNESCO. (IOC Technical Series No. 196, Volume1).
Figure 2. EMODnet’s EMSA Route Density Maps serve as example to illustrate a 3D x/y/t image time series. © UNESCO-IOC and UNESCO-LINKS. 2024. EMSPglobal Data Toolbox: Volume 1 – How to develop a Spatial Data Infrastructure for Marine Spatial Planning. Paris, UNESCO. (IOC Technical Series No. 196, Volume1).