The aim of this project is to ensure the availability of spatial marine benthic biodiversity data for the purposes of marine planning and decision-making. It will also support delivery of the Habitats Directive, Marine Strategy Framework Directive and National Marine Planning Framework by:
Centralising access to benthic biodiversity datasets across the MI;
Further enabling the Marine Institute to capitalise on its data resources when carrying out its role as advisor to government departments;
Providing capacity to fill the gap in marine benthic biodiversity data records in the National Biodiversity Data Centre and EMODnet;
Ensure a single robust source of benthic biodiversity data, which is maintained and added to on an on-going basis within the MI.
1. Catalogue of benthic datasets within the MI
2. Data framework developed for benthic sedimentary data
3. Data framework developed for benthic reef data