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Published in 2025 by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 7, Place de Fontenoy, 75352 Paris 07 SP, France.
© UNESCO 2025
This publication is available in Open Access under the Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 IGO (CC-BY-SA 3.0 IGO) licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/igo/). By using the contents of this publication, the users accept to be bound by the terms of use of the UNESCO Open Access Repository (https://www.unesco.org/en/open-access/cc-sa).
Images marked with an asterisk (*) do not fall under the CC-BY-SA licence and may not be used or reproduced without the prior permission of the copyright holders.
For bibliographic purposes, this document should be cited as follows:
UNESCO-IOC. 2025. MSPglobal Data Toolbox: Volume 1 – How to develop a Spatial Data Infrastructure for Marine Spatial Planning. Paris, UNESCO. (IOC Technical Series No. 196, Volume 1).
Editors: Michele Quesada da Silva (UNESCO-IOC), Louis Demargne (UNESCO-IOC)
Leading Author: Annette Scheffer (UNESCO-IOC Consultant)
Authors in alphabetic order by last name: Andrej Abramic (ULPGC), Conor Delaney (EMODnet), Pascal Derycke (Marine-analyst.eu), Johanna Paula Diwa (UNESCO-IOC), Manuel Frias (HELCOM), Duncan Hume (SGU), Joni Kaitaranta (HELCOM), Adam Leadbetter (Independent Expert), Yannick Leroy (SHOM), Candace Newman (DFO), Peter Pissierssens (UNESCO-IOC), Deborah Shinoda (HELCOM), Adeline Souf (SHOM), Pichaya Zerne (SGU).
Contributors in alphabetic order by last name: Tammy Davies (BirdLife International), Tiago Gandra (IFRS), Kishan Kumar (SPC), Ana Carolina Mazzuco (UNESCO-IOC), Will McClintock (SeaSketch), Adriano Quintela (Blue Azores Program / Oceano Azul Foundation), Sujin Son (Sundosoft Ltd), Nathalie Tonné (EMODnet).
Reviewers in alphabetic order by last name: Andrej Abramic (ULPGC), Pier Luigi Buttigieg (UNESCO-IOC), Conor Delaney (EMODnet), Manuel Frias (HELCOM), Anja Kreiner (NatMIRC), Adam Leadbetter (Independent Expert), Peter Pissierssens (UNESCO-IOC), Lucy Scott (UNESCO-IOC).
The designations employed and the presentation of material throughout this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNESCO concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city, or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
The ideas and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and contributors; they are not necessarily those of UNESCO.
All Internet links in this report were verified and accessible as of 27 January 2025.
Cover photo: ©Anton Balazah/Shutterstock.com (*)
Graphic design: UNESCO
(IOC/2025/TS/196 Vol.1)
This document was co-funded by the European Union.
Executive Summary
In an era of increasing reliance on data and digital technology, coupled with the growing volumes of data to manage, this MSPglobal Data Toolbox provides a comprehensive guide for establishing and managing a Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) tailored to support Marine Spatial Planning (MSP). Designed for MSP practitioners worldwide, it offers detailed guidance on setting up an SDI to serve as the foundation for integrating, managing and analysing diverse datasets related to marine ecosystems, human activities and governance.
This MSPglobal Data Toolbox is structured to address the key components of SDI development, offering practical steps, foundational knowledge and good practices. It highlights the importance of SDI in MSP initiatives, emphasizing the critical role of an SDI in supporting data governance, standardization, interoperability, security and maintenance. By providing a structured framework for managing complex and sensitive geospatial data, the toolbox equips practitioners to support MSP initiatives while adapting to evolving technological advancements and environmental dynamics.
The document begins with an overview of basic concepts regarding geospatial data and SDI, covering key concepts, principles and terminology essential for understanding the role of an SDI for MSP. It then outlines a step-by-step approach to setting up an SDI, including tasks such as defining a vision, identifying stakeholders, conducting user needs assessments, and creating a data collection plan. Subsequent sections explore the technical and operational aspects of SDI such as data fundamentals, architecture, and good practices for data management. A dedicated chapter on web architecture addresses SDI connectivity, scalability, security and accessibility to promote robust and user-friendly systems.
This MSPglobal Data Toolbox also includes a chapter on data security, privacy, and safety for managing sensitive geospatial data while building trust among stakeholders and rights-holders. Governance considerations including institutional frameworks, data sharing agreements and human resource needs are also covered to verify the SDI operates efficiently and equitably. Finally, the toolbox provides methodologies for monitoring, evaluating and adapting the SDI, establishing criteria for success and offering guidance for continuous improvement.
This MSPglobal Data Toolbox is the outcome of a highly collaborative process, grounded in an extensive global mapping of experts in fields critical to SDI for MSP. MSPglobal organised two strategic online workshops, convening a diverse group of experts and MSP practitioners to engage in in-depth discussions about the toolbox's content.
These workshops shaped the toolbox to reflect the collective expertise and practical insights of the global MSP community. Through this joint effort, the manuscript was enriched with expert contributions and finalized through a collaborative review process, ensuring the resource is both thorough and highly relevant to current and future ocean governance needs.
The result is a toolbox designed to serve as a valuable resource, providing up-to-date, practical and well-informed guidance on SDI for MSP. This comprehensive resource equips MSP practitioners with the tools and knowledge necessary to develop and maintain a robust SDI that support long-term marine planning objectives.
Acknowledgements
This document is the product of a collaborative process involving expert input, discussion and review throughout 2024 and 2025. The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (UNESCO-IOC) extends its gratitude to all participants of the two strategic online workshops as well as to the authors, contributors, reviewers and editors who played a vital role in drafting and refining the manuscript of this publication. This guide is building on the dedication and enthusiasm of this community and would not have been possible without their invaluable contributions.
© LuckyStep/Shutterstock.com (*)
List of acronyms and abbreviations
| AI | Artificial Intelligence |
| API | Application Programming Interface |
| AWS | Amazon Web Services |
| CAD | Computer-Aided Design |
| CARE | Collective benefit, Authority to control, Responsibility, and Ethics |
| CINEA | European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency |
| CISO | Chief Information Security Officer |
| CRS | Coordinate Reference System |
| CSS | Cascading Style Sheets |
| CSV | Comma Separated Values |
| CSW | Catalog Service for the Web |
| DBMS | Database Management System |
| DCAT | Data Catalog Vocabulary |
| DFO | Fisheries and Oceans Canada |
| DG MARE | Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries |
| DILM | Data and Information Lifecycle Management |
| DIM | Data and Information Management |
| DLM | Data Lifecycle Management |
| DOI | Digital Object Identifier |
| DPO | Data Protection Officer |
| ECDIS | Electronic Chart Display and Information System |
| EEZ | Exclusive Economic Zone |
| EMODnet | European Marine Observation and Data Network |
| eMSP NBSR | Emerging ecosystem-based Maritime Spatial Planning topics in North and Baltic Seas Region |
| ENC | Electronic Nautical Chart |
| EOVs | Essential Ocean Variables |
| FAIR | Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable |
| FAQ | Frequently Asked Question |
| FGDC | Federal Geographic Data Committee |
| FISMA | Federal Information Security Management Act |
| FOAF | Friend of a Friend |
| GDPR | General Data Protection Regulation |
| GEBCO | The General Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans Project |
| GEF | Global Environment Facility |
| GIS | Geographic Information System |
| GML | Geography Markup Language |
| .gml | File extension for GML files |
| GOOS | Global Ocean Observing System |
| GRASS | Geographic Resources Analysis Support System |
| HELCOM | Helsinki Commission (Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission) |
| HTML | HyperText Markup Language |
| HTTP | Hypertext Transfer Protocol |
| IaaS | Infrastructure as a Service |
| IFRS | Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia do Rio Grande do Sul / Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Rio Grande do Sul |
| IHO | International Hydrographic Organization |
| ILK | Indigenous and local knowledge |
| ILM | Information Lifecycle Management |
| IODE | International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange |
| ISO | International Organization for Standardization |
| IPLCs | Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities |
| IUU | Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (Fishing) |
| JSON | Java Script Object Notation |
| KLM | Keyhole Markup Language |
| .klm | File extension of a KLM file |
| LME | Large Marine Ecosystem |
| KPI | Key Performance Indicator |
| MFA | Multi-Factor Authentication |
| MIME | Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions |
| MMI | Marine Metadata Interoperability Project |
| MOU | Memoranda of Understanding |
| MPA | Marine Protected Area |
| MSP | Marine/Maritime Spatial Planning |
| MSPdF | Maritime Spatial Planning Data Framework |
| MSPex | Automatic Metadata Catalogue Indexer for MSP |
| NatMIRC | National Marine Information and Research Centre of Namibia |
| NGO | Non-Governmental Organisation |
| NODC | National Oceanographic Data Centre |
| NSDI | National Spatial Data Infrastructure |
| ODIS | Ocean Data and Information System |
| OGC | Open Geospatial Consortium |
| OTGA | OceanTeacher Global Academy |
| PaaS | Platform as a Service |
| PROV | Provenance and Data Lineage |
| PyCSV | Python library used for handling CSV format |
| qGIS | Quantum GIS |
| RBAC | Role-Based Access Control |
| RDF | Resource Descriptor Framework |
| ReMAP | Reviewing and Evaluating the Monitoring and Assessment of MSP |
| RFMO | Regional Fisheries Management Organisations |
| RME | Resource Management and Enforcement |
| SDE | Spatial Database Engine |
| SDI | Spatial Data Infrastructure |
| SDN | SeaDataNet |
| SFTP | Secure File Transfer Protocol |
| SGU | Geological Survey of Sweden |
| SHOM | Service Hydrographique et Océanographique de la Marine / Naval Hydrographic and Oceanographic Service |
| .shp | file extension for shapefile |
| SKOS | Simple Knowledge Organization System |
| SLA | Service Level Agreement |
| SLI | Service Level Indicator |
| SLO | Service Level Objective |
| SPC | The Pacific Community |
| SPE | Secure Processing Environment |
| SQL | Structured Query Language |
| SSL | Secure Sockets Layer |
| SSO | Single Sign-On |
| SPO | Secure Processing Environment |
| TEG | Technical Expert Group (on Data for MSP) |
| TLS | Transport Layer Security |
| ULPGC | Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria |
| UNDP | United Nations Development Program |
| UNESCO-IOC | Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO |
| URI | Uniform Resource Identifier |
| VASAB | Visions and Strategies Around the Baltic Sea |
| VPN | Virtual Private Network |
| W3C | World Wide Web Consortium |
| WCS | Web Catalogue Service |
| WFS | Web Feature Service |
| WMS | Web Mapping Service |
| XML | Extensible Markup Language |