Marine management atlas

To ensure integrated and sustainable management of the marine environment, knowledge of the spatial distribution of natural phenomena and human activities is vitally important. Analysing charts showing this distribution proves extremely helpful and the arrival over the past few years of computerised and integrated cartographic tools has further increased the possibilities that can be applied in this field.

In this context, MUMM now has at its disposal a spatial analysis tool, having developed a 'Geographic Information System' (GIS) applied to the North Sea. The basic software used at MUMM is ArcView and its 'Spatial Analyst' extension. This computing system is capable of integrating information identified by geographical references (data entry by digitalisation, scanning, manual input or data transfer), of saving, handling and consulting these data and representing them spatially by creating charts.

The GIS can be used to produce these charts in forms that are ideally suited to the needs of each user. In particular, several charts have been produced to clearly visualise any conflicts between various user groups and the natural resources of the marine environment. Some of these are also used in cases of accidental pollution.

Moreover, the Data Centre also uses this spatial analysis tool to present and interpret data resulting from monitoring campaigns carried out at sea by MUMM and the various services and institutions with which it cooperates. These charts can be used to assess the general condition and development of the marine ecosystem rapidly and to study various physical and chemical phenomena and processes which occur there.

Using a certain amount of specific data, it is possible to make interpolations and obtain surface representations that often prove useful to visualise these phenomena. In addition, the spatial analysis functions of the GIS are also used when taking decisions. For example, they can be used to calculate the surface area of zones in which various activities overlap, which may be a risk indicator. Finally, another advantage of GIS is the possibility it offers of carrying out analyses based on a variety of criteria. For instance, if an activity can only be carried out subject to the fulfilment of a number of criteria (safety distance, minimum depth, etc.), GIS can be used to determine automatically zones where this activity can be carried out.

 List of available maps