Publication of seabed mapping use case series.
New evidence-based framework highlights the critical importance of seabed mapping across key sectors such as climate change, biodiversity, and the Blue Economy.
The Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project, in partnership with NLA International (NLAI), has published a series of seabed mapping use cases. This comprehensive compendium showcases the indispensable role of seabed mapping in addressing some of the world’s most pressing marine and maritime challenges.
The use cases – compiled as part of the ‘Wind in the Sails (WITS)’ project – aim to address pressing global issues such as climate change mitigation, marine biodiversity protection, and Blue Economy development. They also ensure that seabed mapping efforts are targeted to support ocean sustainability, policy development, and economic growth.
The WITS project is a key initiative supporting Seabed 2030 by providing critical empirical data to inform the development of a prioritised, targeted seabed mapping strategy. It seeks to bring together the global hydrographic community and stakeholders in the marine and maritime sectors, establishing a unified global seabed mapping priority list.
The twelve use cases, accessible in this compendium, cover key areas such as climate change, marine biodiversity, disaster management, and marine spatial planning. They also address the evolving needs of both the Global North and South, including Small Island Developing States (SIDS), as well as the Blue Economy sectors:
- Seabed Mapping Innovation
- EEZ Seabed Mapping in the Absence of a National Hydrographic Organization
- Subsea Cable Planning and Design
- Tsunami Propagation and Storm Surge Modeling
- Renewable Energy – Offshore Wind Energy
- Climate Change Ocean Models
- Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Sea Level Rise and Coastal Inundation
- Marine Biodiversity
- SIDS Marine and Coastal Development and Seabed Mapping for Marine Spatial Planning
- Government Policy
- Ocean Discovery and Ocean Exploration
- Seabed 2030 Driving Hydrographic Industry Expansion and Human Capital Benefits