Only 27% of the UK Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is mapped with high confidence to the latest internationally agreed standards, falling to just 2% when including the UK Overseas Territories. The available data is not always sufficient for government decision making and the sustainable management of marine resources.
The UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) commissioned this study of seabed mapping within the EEZ to support the improvement of data in terms of quality, access, and coverage – and ultimately enhance maritime decision making and the safe passage of seagoing vessels. The study aimed to define the cost benefit relationship of seabed mapping to the UK economy and provide a template for similar studies in other nations where UKHO is the Primary Charting Authority.
We began with a literature review to examine existing data on the Gross Value Added (GVA) of marine sectors and previous cost benefit studies. We interviewed key stakeholders across various sectors to understand their dependency on seabed mapping. Lastly, we used economic modelling to develop a CBA ratio to quantify the return on investment from mapping.
The study sought to assign a monetary value to seabed mapping to facilitate complete assessment of its full economic value; this in turn can guide evidence-based decisions about how to allocate resources for it.
The CBA found that the overall cost-benefit ratio for seabed mapping is 86:1, with an annual investment of £103 million yielding benefits worth £8,901 million. The level of benefit varies across sectors: 97% of the value derives from market sectors (with offshore energy and shipping, trade, and ports the largest contributors) and 3% from non-market sectors such as environmental conservation and protection.
The findings highlight how investment in seabed mapping can produce substantial economic and environmental benefits that help realise the full potential of the marine environment – for example, by creating new jobs and improving navigational safety. Enhancing the coverage and quality of seabed data to modern standards across the UK EEZ would support UKHO decision making and marine resource management and produce significant economic value across various sectors. Benefits could arise not only in the UK’s marine economy, but also globally in terms of marine conservation and climate change mitigation.
Eunomia’s report for UKHO can be accessed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-report-published-highlighting-the-value-of-seabed-mapping
