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, offsho...