Seascape Character Areas

Seascape is defined as an area of sea, coastline or land, as perceived by people, whose character results from actions and interactions of land with sea by natural and/or human factors. GIS datsets from varying disciplines were gathered and analysed - bathymetry, geology, habitats, archaeology, conservation designations, fisheries, energy – among others. Seascape Character Assessment boundaries were determined using a 1 Km inland buffer of the Osi 1:250,000 coastline. This was merged with the Maritime Boundary Irish Territorial Sea to 12 nm. Additional limits were applied using the Irish Exclusive Economic Zone Maritime Boundary and the outer boundaries of the Northern Ireland Seascape Character Assessment (DAERA). GIS and visual analysis combined with field work determined the individual seascape character areas. A baseline regional scale of 1:500,000 was used during analysis but final areas vary in scale from 1:100,000 to 1:800,000 owing to local variations and nuances of seascape character. Analysis and mapping used QGIS v3.8 Regional Seascapes Character Assessment (2020) project was carried out by Minogue and Associates on behalf of the Marine Institute.