February 16, 2009 -- SeaZone is offering a ready-made information solution to help organisations affected by the UK government’s Marine and Coastal Access Bill. SeaZone HydroSpatial provides easy access to a wide range of marine and coastal zone information to assist in managing the new regulations. HydroSpatial is a specially developed intelligent digital marine map with multiple topic layers to which additional data can be added in line with the specific requirements of the Marine Bill.

The Marine Bill will address the need for delivering more effective and sustainable marine management. The Government recognises that Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are the best way of providing access to complex data and that this information is crucial to Marine Spatial Planning. Maps are also essential to the planning process and to communicate plans effectively.

HydroSpatial is the world’s first digital marine map and is becoming the recognised standard for marine mapping in the UK and overseas. Within HydroSpatial, SeaZone maintains and updates a comprehensive database of best available, authoritative marine and coastal zone information. This provides a single and consistent source of marine mapping that is being improved over time.

“The Marine Bill acknowledges the need for authoritative, comprehensive and maintained marine information as essential in delivering effective evidence based decisions within the marine environment. SeaZone HydroSpatial is the ideal starting point,” says Dr Mike Osborne, Managing Director of SeaZone. “SeaZone already supplies over 600 customers with a range of data products, software and services designed to improve data management and decision making in the marine environment and coastal zone.”

This approach is enabling organisations to collaborate in the use of existing data and expertise to avoid replication of effort and expense. HydroSpatial is designed for use within Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and is the ideal data platform for building digital map layers and records to meet future Marine Bill requirements.

The Marine and Coastal Access Bill aims to establish conservation zones around the UK together with a marine planning system, reform of inshore fisheries, streamlining of licensing, establishment of a Marine Management Organisation and coastal access provision.

Contacts: Alison Smith, +44 (0) 870 013 0607, Email Contact, www.SeaZone.com