Pan-Government Hydrographic Data                            

It is now easier to find out where Government multibeam data exists and where future surveys are planned.  Following the COSH meeting held in 2008, the MCA and DEFRA began negotiating a more formal agreement for cooperative working. Since then, both organisations have worked together to formulate a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering bathymetric survey data and data gathering.  The principle aims of the MoU are:

• To exchange existing and future multibeam echosounder data and backscatter data between participating organisations at no cost; and
• To establish a mechanism to ensure that participating organisations’ future surveys are programmed in such a way so as to avoid duplication where ever possible.

The MoU represents a significant step in increasing offshore survey efficiency for Government organisations.  The MCA are extremely pleased to have partnered with DEFRA in developing the principles behind the agreement and in helping to author the document.  Signatory to the MoU include:  

• The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA);
• The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA);
• The Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC);
• Natural England;
• The Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas);
• The British Geological Survey (BGS); and
• The United Kingdom Hydrographic Office (UKHO)

Shapefiles of the following organisations' multibeam data holdings, and planned survey programme for 2009/10, are available for download below.  These files can be viewed on any software which can import and display the ESRI "shapefile" Geographic Information System format.  Alternatively, you can download ESRI's free shapefile viewer "ArcGIS Explorer". to view the files.

		Download CHP survey areas shapefile (0.4Mb) Updated November 2009
		Download JNCC survey areas shapefile (0.1Mb) Updated November 2009
		Download CEFAS survey  areas shapefile (0.2Mb) Added May 2009
		Download BGS survey areas shapefile (0.3Mb) Added July 2009
		Download NE survey areas shapefile (0.5Mb) Added November 2009

Alternatively, you can download a PDF showing the above data (with "Geo-PDF" capabilities) by clicking here.  

If your organisation is a party to the Hydrographic Data Sharing MoU, you can request any of the datasets listed in the above shapefiles, by completing and return the MOU Data Request Form