Under the UK Marine Strategy (UK MS) the UK is required to determine and measure the status of the health of its seas. For this, specific indicators are used for different ecosystem components to measure and assess progress. JNCC has undertaken work on behalf of Defra to understand where biodiversity data collected by statutory environmental bodies is published and how it flows into the UK MS indicator assessments. Three sets of reports just published demonstrate the complexity of the data landscape across monitoring programmes for benthic habitats, cetaceans, and seals.  The work highlights where data flow could be streamlined, improved or, where there are missing data links. The recommendations in the reports are the first step in achieving a more inclusive, accessible, and robust marine biodiversity evidence base.

For links to all three sets of reports click here