Access to Marine Data on the Internet for CZM
Added Value Information Dissemination (AVID) aims to gather, interpret and
disseminate Hydrographic data held by the major European Hydrographic
Offices.....work to define and develop efficient data distribution services that will
make the government information widely available in a commercial format. The
project is part of an initiative to assess how government information can be opened
up to business and private citizens.... European industry is at a disadvantage
compared with competitors in the US, where the Freedom of Information Act ensures
that American public bodies are granted access to information systems free-ofcharge, or for a small fee.
Despite the establishment of the National Geospatial Data Framework
(NGDF), and the work of the Association for Geographic Information (AGI) on
standards etc., there is seemingly still more talk than action, and in this respect we are
some way behind the USA, Australia and Canada on the development of Internet-based
gcospatial data and information systems and provision, as well as national spatial data
frameworks and Metadata standards.
In 1999 there were many events in the UK and Europe (e.g. The Netherlands)
which have, not surprisingly considered the problem of access to geospatial data and
information about the coastal zone. We have held two AGI Marine and Coastal Zone
Management GIS Special Interest Group (AGI MCZM GIS SIG -
http://www.abdn.ac.uk/geospatial/agi) one-day seminars in Carlisle (February 1999)
and Cambridge at the Moller Centre (July 1999). All have highlighted the interest in the
Internet for integrated coastal zone management, but all have drawn similar conclusions
relating to concerns on: access to data and information for coastal zone management,
including comparisons with the current state of play in the US, Australia and Canada.
InfoCoast'99 - February 1999 (Bridge, 1999)
European coastal zone data, information and knowledge networks (notably
governmental/intergovernmental networks) generally deliver inadequately
between users and providers
Technologies should be designed to be fit for purpose and meet needs and
capabilities of end users
Information availability should be improved through better user awareness,
making data and information available for uses other than their original
purpose, free or low-cost accessibility of publicly-funded work and provision of
standard maps and charts of the European coastal zone
Information and knowledge flows should be facilitated by consistent and
widespread use of simple Metadata records accessible through Internet-based
and other gateways
Using the knowledge base. Develop enabling mechanisms for networks that
improve access to, and validation of, local knowledge by linking individuals, and
local research by local, regional and NGO institutions
571
Added Value Information Dissemination (AVID) aims to gather, interpret and
disseminate Hydrographic data held by the major European Hydrographic
Offices.....work to define and develop efficient data distribution services that will
make the government information widely available in a commercial format. The
project is part of an initiative to assess how government information can be opened
up to business and private citizens.... European industry is at a disadvantage
compared with competitors in the US, where the Freedom of Information Act ensures
that American public bodies are granted access to information systems free-ofcharge, or for a small fee.
Despite the establishment of the National Geospatial Data Framework
(NGDF), and the work of the Association for Geographic Information (AGI) on
standards etc., there is seemingly still more talk than action, and in this respect we are
some way behind the USA, Australia and Canada on the development of Internet-based
gcospatial data and information systems and provision, as well as national spatial data
frameworks and Metadata standards.
In 1999 there were many events in the UK and Europe (e.g. The Netherlands)
which have, not surprisingly considered the problem of access to geospatial data and
information about the coastal zone. We have held two AGI Marine and Coastal Zone
Management GIS Special Interest Group (AGI MCZM GIS SIG -
http://www.abdn.ac.uk/geospatial/agi) one-day seminars in Carlisle (February 1999)
and Cambridge at the Moller Centre (July 1999). All have highlighted the interest in the
Internet for integrated coastal zone management, but all have drawn similar conclusions
relating to concerns on: access to data and information for coastal zone management,
including comparisons with the current state of play in the US, Australia and Canada.
InfoCoast'99 - February 1999 (Bridge, 1999)
European coastal zone data, information and knowledge networks (notably
governmental/intergovernmental networks) generally deliver inadequately
between users and providers
Technologies should be designed to be fit for purpose and meet needs and
capabilities of end users
Information availability should be improved through better user awareness,
making data and information available for uses other than their original
purpose, free or low-cost accessibility of publicly-funded work and provision of
standard maps and charts of the European coastal zone
Information and knowledge flows should be facilitated by consistent and
widespread use of simple Metadata records accessible through Internet-based
and other gateways
Using the knowledge base. Develop enabling mechanisms for networks that
improve access to, and validation of, local knowledge by linking individuals, and
local research by local, regional and NGO institutions
571