Ocean space is increasingly in demand by a range of interest groups seeking the exploitation of both living and non-living marine resources. As conflicts over marine resources become more apparent, it is clear that the use of ocean resources requires informed management. In order to achieve sustainable ocean area management, an appropriate ocean data set is required. At present, marine data collection is undertaken by a diverse group of sectoral interests, often with little inter-sectoral compatibility. The resulting disparate data sets cannot usefully be combined to inform management decisions. Instead, a more integrated system of data collection will enable widespread marine data use. This will allow management decisions to be made on the best information available in order to facilitate the most effective use of ocean space and resources.

This paper identifies existing weaknesses in marine data collection and suggests a new inclusive approach that is integrated into the wider context of ocean resource management. Geographic Information Systems(GIS) provide for the efficient and effective use of data and are advocated for ocean data management in the broadest sense. This imposes a requirement to re-assess the philosophy of data collection in the context of ocean area management. GIS therefore represents a significant opportunity for informed decision making in the management of ocean space. It is suggested that GIS may be considered as a new paradigm in marine science, and as such represents a new contextual methodology for the collection and management of marinedata. The paper advocates non-restrictive data collection as an appropriate mechanism to deliver an ocean area GIS. This would facilitate effective and sustainable ocean area management.

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