UK scientists unite for south west seabed survey as multi agency project gathers data to support marine policy energy and environment.
Multi Agency Survey Aims to Strengthen Marine Data
A four-week seabed mapping survey involving 11 UK public sector organisations is set to begin later this month, in what is being described as one of the most ambitious collaborative marine data efforts undertaken in UK waters.
The initiative, led by the UK Centre for Seabed Mapping (UK CSM), will see 26 scientists deployed aboard the Research Vessel Cefas Endeavour to collect hydrographic, geological and environmental data along the UK’s south-west coastline.
The survey, known as CSM2026, is scheduled to run from 20 April to 19 May, starting in Lowestoft and concluding in Falmouth.
Unprecedented Collaboration Across Government Bodies
The project brings together organisations including the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, UK Hydrographic Office, British Geological Survey, Cefas, Defra, The Crown Estate, Historic England, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee, AFBI, Natural England and the Royal Navy.
Andrew Colenutt, Chair of the CSM2026 Project Team and Head of Hydrography and Meteorology at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said, “This is the first time that such a large-scale, multi-agency, collaborative survey has been undertaken in the UK and it’s a really exciting venture.”
He added, “We are fortunate to have expert scientists and surveyors from across government who will collect a wide range of highly valuable data.”
The collaboration is being framed as a way to improve efficiency by pooling expertise and resources under what is described as a “collect once, use many times” approach to seabed data.
Data to Support Energy, Policy and Marine Management
The data gathered during the survey is expected to support a wide range of applications, including offshore energy development, marine spatial planning, environmental protection and national security.
Marine Minister Emma Hardy said, “This survey is an excellent example of our work in partnership to improve our understanding of our maritime estate, providing data to deliver our commitments and make advances in how our seabed is mapped, understood and managed.”
Officials argue that high-quality seabed mapping is increasingly critical to economic activity and environmental oversight, particularly as competing demands on marine space intensify.
Questions Remain Over Practical Outcomes
While the scale of the collaboration has been emphasised, the practical outcomes will depend on how effectively the data is applied across sectors.
Alison Pettafor, Cefas Overseas Territories Country Lead and co-chair of the project team, said, “It clearly demonstrates the benefits of a ‘collect once, use many times’ approach, combining expertise, sharing data openly and building a clearer picture of our marine environment to support better decisions for the future.”
Rear Admiral Angus Essenhigh, UK National Hydrographer and Director of Data Acquisition at the UK Hydrographic Office, added, “By bringing together organisations from across the UK maritime sector, we are not only improving how the seabed is mapped, but deepening our collective understanding of the ocean environment.”
The survey is being positioned as a potential turning point in how seabed mapping is coordinated in the UK, though its long-term impact will depend on whether the data leads to measurable improvements in marine management and policy.
