OSPAR request for a technical service on availability and utility of vessel positional data for underwater noise assessment purposes

<p dir="ltr">This technical service has been carried out in response to a request from OSPAR concerning the improvement of automatic identification system (AIS) and vessel monitoring system (VMS) data for underwater noise assessment purposes across the OSPAR region.</p><p dir="ltr">ICES conducted a technical service through the Workshop on Integrating Marine Spatial Data for Noise Assessments (WKIMSDNA), held online on 12 June 2025. The workshop brought together experts in AIS and VMS data, underwater noise monitoring, and data management to examine current data availability, evaluate quality and processing requirements, explore integration opportunities, and develop recommendations for improving spatial data collection and coordination across the OSPAR region.</p><p dir="ltr">The workshop addressed four questions: (1) what vessel tracking data currently exist and how they can be accessed, (2) what quality issues affect these data and how they are processed, (3) whether different data sources can be effectively integrated, and (4) what improvements are needed for noise assessment applications.</p><p dir="ltr">Analysis revealed that while substantial data resources exist across the region, they are fragmented across multiple national providers without comprehensive regional coordination. The need for reliable AIS data extends beyond underwater noise to multiple MSFD indicators including greenhouse gas emissions and maritime traffic intensity, with the six-yearly assessment cycle requiring consistent, comparable shipping information across regions. Currently there is no coordinated, sustainably funded mechanism for acquiring these datasets, representing a structural challenge affecting multiple descriptors simultaneously. Coverage by AIS extends from 2012 onwards, but significant gaps exist in some coastal areas. Use of VMS data collected by ICES remains restricted to specific advice purposes, with notable gaps in coverage affecting Norwegian, Portuguese, and Faroese regions. Comparative analysis across three marine regions demonstrated that different data sources capture complementary aspects of vessel activity, suggesting integration could improve coverage. However, technical challenges around data quality, format standardization, and avoiding double-counting currently limit this potential. The workshop also identified complementary non-AIS detection technologies (synthetic aperture radar (SAR), optical and multispectral imagery, radio frequency (RF) detection, and coastal radar) that could supplement conventional monitoring in areas with coverage limitations. Additionally, platforms such as Global Fishing Watch offer free research access to processed AIS datasets and may provide alternative pathways for data acquisition.</p><p dir="ltr">Priority recommendations include extending terrestrial receiver coverage in areas with known gaps; investigating appropriate institutional hosting arrangements and governance structures for integrated data infrastructure; developing standardized data formats and processing methodologies applicable across providers; establishing protocols for effective integration while avoiding double-counting vessels across AIS, VMS, and emerging data sources; establishing harmonised legal frameworks to support cross-border data sharing whilst respecting national sovereignty and commercial interests; developing sustainable funding models for ongoing data collection, processing, and integration activities; and preparing for forthcoming EU regulations that require tracking of all fishing vessels, which will significantly expand data availability but necessitate enhanced processing capabilities. The workshop also recommended developing specific metrics for measuring integration success and establishing regular evaluation cycles to assess progress.</p>