GIS usage in planning of marine area assignment - case study

The key factor for planning of sustainable development of the marine area is definition of their assignment. In the frame of these tasks different classification criteria for usage of the marine areas were defined, taking in account possible conflicts among existed and planned activities and biological diversity principles. Case study for planning of assignment of marine area was made in the Split-Dalmatian County (Croatia). Based on the predefined criteria and actual stage of marine environment more thematic layers were created using GIS tools. In the frame of these activities the most ecologically sensitive marine areas were determined, e.g. areas rich with flora and fauna, areas very important for fish spawning, etc. Based on this analysis optimal assignment of marine area has been proposed. So far, it was proposed eighteen different activities in marine sub-regions of County including protection of some areas.