UK National Seabed Mapping Programme - Scoping Study

The greater part of the UK lies under the sea, but knowledge of this area, which spans over 330,000 square miles, remains incomplete. More coordination in organising seabed mapping activities and sharing the data could yield benefits for businesses and public sector organisations, as well as supporting jobs and economic growth.

The UK’s marine sector employs around 113,000 people and contributes at least £11 billion to the UK economy each year. These significant contributions, already set to increase, could grow even more if the industry had access to comprehensive, quality seabed mapping data.

It is estimated that only 30% of the UK seabed has been mapped in detail and that it would take decades to map it all if activities continue as they currently are. At the moment, several different public and private sector bodies are involved in mapping UK waters, with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) delivering the only systematic mapping programme. With different organisations and sectors commissioning studies, the same area is sometimes mapped multiple times, often to varying specifications.

It is hoped that this study will be the catalyst for more consistent and comprehensive mapping of the marine environment. This would save the industry costs and uncertainty, particularly in the early planning stages of development projects. It would also enable effective decision making and could uncover new commercial growth opportunities, alongside environmental management and safety improvements.