Geodesign and aquaculture zoning in the context of marine spatial planning: SeaSketch in New Zealand  

Marine spatial planning involves comprehensive zoning of ocean space for human use and resource protection, including aquaculture, transportation, military, conservation, recreational, research and multi-use zones. Importantly, zoning scenarios must be science-based and stakeholder-driven but few stakeholders have science or planning experience. We have developed and implemented a web-based application called SeaSketch (www.seasketch.org) that lets users with a modicum of training (1) view relevant authoritative geospatial map data, (2) sketch prospective zoning scenarios (including aquaculture zones), (3), evaluate those zones based on predefined science and policy based criteria, and (4) share and discuss scenarios in a map-based forum. Here, I discuss how SeaSketch was used in the context of Sea Change, a comprehensive planning initiative in New Zealand's Hauraki Gulf.  In particular, I will draw attention to the importance of helping users identify the tradeoffs between prospective zoning scenarios using a standardized set of analytical reports (Figure 1), then debate the relative merits of those scenarios in a transparent manner.