Marine Biodiversity Networking Friday with SeaSketch: a Participatory Mapping Platform for Marine Spatial Planning
On December 13th, 2024, from 13:00 to 14:00 PM UTC+0 we will have a special session with Dr Will McClintock, showcasing SeaSketch, a participatory mapping platform for marine spatial planning. SeaSketch is a software service with roots in MarineMap, an application used by stakeholders to design California’s Marine Protected Area (MPA) network. The most recent version of SeaSketch launched in 2022 is entirely free and open source, well documented and includes an open Application Programming Interface (API) for developing bespoke geoprocessing and reporting tools. A typical SeaSketch projects lets users (1) visualize map data and metadata, (2) contribute spatial information on ocean uses by way of map-based surveys, (3) sketch and evaluate zoning scenarios including MPAs, and (4) collaborate with other users in forums to develop common visions for marine spatial plans.
This year, new features were added to SeaSketch that allow project administrators to upload vector and raster datasets (in addition to 3rd party map services) and, using a combination of graphical and code-based cartography tools, apply map styles including those based on spatial attributes. These advances extend SeaSketch’s utilities beyond a decision support system or data intermediary and into a feature-rich geoportal. SeaSketch currently hosts over 800 projects and over 2 dozen of these are being used for large-scale Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) initiatives. This presentation will highlight essential SeaSketch features being used for planning in Brazil, the Azores, Micronesia and other countries.
Speakers
Will McClintock
National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis, University of California, Santa Barbara
Dr. Will McClintock is a Senior Fellow at the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and holds a PhD in Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology. Over the past 20 years, Dr. McClintock has developed and implemented decision support tools for Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), most notably SeaSketch, a platform used globally for collaborative decision-making. His team at UCSB has been involved in MSP initiatives across numerous regions, including the United States, Canada, the Azores, the Maldives, Bermuda, Barbuda, New Zealand, Indonesia, Fiji, Samoa, and more. He has taught MSP to students and professionals globally and leads the ongoing Ocean Use Survey in Northern Brazil.
Moderator
Débora Gutierrez
University of the Azores & University of the Algarve, Portugal
Débora Gutierrez is an Oceanographer (USP), Environmental Management Specialist (ESALQ-USP) and Sustainability Designer (Gaia Education), Master Science in Water and Coastal Management (WACOMA) at a consortium with the University of Bologna, the University of Algarve and the University of Cádiz. With more than 15 years of experience in Coastal and Marine Protected Areas, research in coastal environments, environmental education, Management Plan, Marine Spatial Planning, Ocean Governance, Participatory Processes, diagnosis development and planning. At the moment, Débora is a researcher at the University of the Azores and a PhD student at the University of the Algarve.
We will continue with the Networking Fridays during the next months. More information about future sessions as well as presentations and videos from previous sessions can be found here. Please do not forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Twitter Hashtag: #netfridays. Expect some very exciting mornings, afternoons or evenings, depending on where you are…
If you need any additional information please send an email to Patrícia Cuan.
