Participatory mapping (PPGIS) - Areas of value and areas of concern in Irish waters (BioProtect)

This dataset compiles the spatial data collected in a 3-month Public Participation GIS (PPGIS) survey for stakeholders of Irish waters led in 2025 as part of the BioProtect project (https://bioprotect-project.eu/). The survey aimed to identify the areas perceived as valued and areas perceived as concerning by all stakeholder groups present in the Irish marine space. 47 individuals from various countries, economic sectors and scales participated, mapping 647 features in total. Respondents were asked to map at the scale relevant to them, either the Celtic Sea and Irish coastline, Tralee Bay or Dunmore East. The aim of the survey was to spatialise stakeholders' habits, their perceptions of the Irish waters and highlight areas of conflicts or synergies that would inform targets of the national MSP, especially regarding conservation and restoration of marine biodiversity. For more information about the survey, visit this website: https://bioprotect-project.eu/irish-demonstration-site-waters-mapped-by-stakeholders-ppgis-survey-concludes/ The data was collected as part of the BioProtect project. This EU-funded project aims at developing new digitial and physical tools that can support accelerating conservation efforts in the Northeast Atlantic and a scalable adaptive decision-making support framework. In Ireland, BioProtect focuses on supporting the identification of a coherent network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), assist the sustainable development of offshore energy, and enhance the inclusion of all stakeholder groups in critical decision-making processes to ensure all realities are accounted for.