Roger A. Longhorn
Secretary-General
Global SDI Association
Belgium

Biography
Roger Longhorn holds BSc and MSc degrees from M.I.T. (Ocean Systems and Shipping Management) and was involved in the ICT industry since 1976, where he developed information systems for global clients until 1986. He was an external expert in information services for the European Commission until 1999, and continues to serve as external technical reviewer on programmes with geoinformation content. Former editor of GEO:connexion International and SDI News magazines, Roger is Secretary-General of the Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI) Association and on the UNESCO International Coastal Atlas Network Project steering group. He has authored chapters in several books dealing with coastal/marine SDI.

Abstract
Survey of National Coastal and Marine SDI Geoportals: European Developments

Co-Authors:
Jade Georis-Creuseveau, Researcher, LETG-Brest Geomer (UMR 6554 CNRS
Dr. Joep Crompvoets, Professor, KU Leuven

Rapid changes in marine and coastal areas demand implementation of processes and tools to enhance knowledge and management of these territories. Marine and coastal Spatial Data Infrastructures facilitate sharing and use of spatial data across a broad range of stakeholders by promoting data and metadata harmonization and services interoperability. A favourable context for increasing efficiency in spatial data production and improving availability and accessibility is being created to support the concepts of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) and maritime spatial planning (MSP). These concepts and related regulations (e.g. European Commission (2008), European Commission (2014)) act as the catalyst for increasing production, access, sharing, use and integration of coastal and maritime geo-information in order to inform IZCM/MSP decision making. The needs for coastal and marine SDIs are becoming more evident, especially in cross-border situations. This paper describes the first results of a European Web survey undertaken to assess the developments of existing national marine and coastal SDI geoportals or related Web services. A Web survey in November 2014 led to an inventory of 37 national operational geoportals and preliminary assessment of 21 characteristics for each of them based on the five components that Rajabifard et al. (2002) proposed in order to describe the SDIs: data, people, access network, standards and policy. These characteristics will be measured a second time in March 2015 in order to monitor the current developments. In addition, a questionnaire will be sent in January 2015 to the coordinators of the platforms in order to assess the actual usage of the geoportals. Based on preliminary survey results, a typology can be made. Four types of geoportals can be distinguished: National Oceanographic Data Centre geoportals, Marine/Coastal Atlas geoportals, Hydrographic Office geoportals and Hybrid geoportals. Despite the integrated approach promoted by ICZM and MSP concepts, platforms allowing access to a wide range of data related to marine, coastal and land territories are not frequently available across sectors. True data harmonisation and services interoperability - the underpinning principles for SDIs - need to be improved.