Data from: Using satellite AIS to improve our understanding of shipping and fill gaps in ocean observation data to support marine spatial planning

1. A key stage underpinning marine spatial planning (MSP) involves mapping
the spatial distribution of ecological processes and biological features,
as well the social and economic interests of different user groups. One
sector, merchant shipping (vessels that transport cargo or passengers),
however, is often poorly represented in MSP due to a perceived lack of
fine-scale spatially explicit data to support decision making processes.
2. Here, using the Republic of Congo as an example, we show how publicly
accessible satellite derived Automatic Identification System (S-AIS) data
can address gaps in ocean observation data for shipping at a national
scale. We also demonstrate how fine-scale (0.05 km2 resolution) spatial
data layers derived from S-AIS (intensity, occupancy) can be used to
generate maps of vessel pressure to provide an indication of patterns of
impact on the marine environment and potential for conflict with other
ocean-user groups. 3. We reveal that passenger vessels, offshore service
vessels, bulk carrier and cargo vessels and tankers account for 93.7% of
all vessels and vessel traffic annually, and that these sectors operate in
a combined area equivalent to 92% of Congo’s exclusive economic zone(EEZ)
– far exceeding the areas allocated for other user-groups (conservation,
fisheries and petrochemicals). We also show that the shallow coastal
waters and habitats of the continental shelf are subject to more
persistent pressure associated with shipping; and that the potential for
conflict among user groups is likely to be greater with fisheries, whose
zones are subject to the highest vessel pressure scores than with
conservation or petrochemical sectors. 4. Synthesis and applications.
Shipping dominates ocean use, and so excluding this sector from decision
making could lead to increased conflict among user groups, poor compliance
and negative environmental impacts. This study demonstrates how Satellite
derived Automatic Identification System data can provide a comprehensive
mechanism to fill gaps in ocean observation data and visualise patterns of
vessel behaviour and potential threats to better support marine spatial
planning at national scales.13-Feb-2018