Navigating the choppy seas of maritime spatial planning

GeoVis dashboard

The Belgian fishing industry faces numerous challenges, including regulatory changes, limited resources, and intense competition. GeoVis offers a solution, integrating scientific, industry, and regulatory data into a single, streamlined online platform for Belgian fishing areas.

The Belgian fishing sector operates in a vast and challenging landscape, stretching beyond national waters into a maze of complex regulations. With rising fuel costs, strict quotas, and changing laws, staying afloat is no easy task. The growing competition for space from offshore wind farms further complicates matters, making it challenging for fishers and policymakers to keep up with the fast-changing industry.

Centralised data at your fingertips

The GeoVis platform visualises fishing data and aids marine spatial planning by offering real-time insights into fish populations. This tool, produced with the support of the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), is essential for resolving spatial planning conflicts and raising awareness among fishers.

Developed by the Instituut voor Landbouw-, Visserij- en Voedingsonderzoek (ILVO), the platform serves as a central hub for essential data, including fish population health, reproduction zones, and Marine Protected Areas. It seamlessly integrates scientific research, industry insights, and regulatory guidelines, helping users navigate regulatory challenges and make informed decisions. This fosters a more sustainable and efficient fishing industry.

As Gert Van Hoey, Senior Researcher at ILVO, explains: 'The GeoVis.be tool is your selection of fishing data interactively displayed on geographical maps.'

Interactive and informative

GeoVis allows users to select and project data onto terrain maps which show the physical features of the seafloor. This helps users understand changes in marine environments across areas, years, and seasons. Fishers can use it to find out where they can and cannot fish, while policymakers can use it to make decisions about ocean use and to share information with the public.

This feature also includes maps of the protected Natura 2000 areas and contributes to protecting their limitations and evaluating overall economic importance of different fishing areas.

Future enhancements and expansion plans

The amount of users of GeoVis are growing over time, showcasing its usefulness.

However, more needs to be done to reach a wider audience, including scientists, ship owners, and crew members. Simplifying the platform's interface and tailoring its information to specific needs will be key to unlocking its full potential. Future projects like GeoVis4U and GeoVis Innovation are already on the horizon, aiming to refine the platform and ensure it remains a valuable tool for both the industry and policymakers.

As it evolves, GeoVis will remain vital in supporting marine spatial planning, sustainable practices, and habitat protection in the Belgian fishing sector.

More information

Website on the project: Geofish.be

Details

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