Tracked to protect - Spatiotemporal dynamics of recreational boating in sensitive marine natural areas

Recreational boating in the Wadden Sea is predominantly concentrated around tidal channels, with most traffic adhering to speed limits but potentially causing significant ecological impacts on birds and seals. This study analyzed nearly 9 million AIS (Automatic Identification System) data points from the 2018 recreation season, revealing spatiotemporal patterns of boat activity that were compared against nature protection regulations. While exceeding speed limits was not widespread, the localized effects of speeding could be more severe than suggested by the data alone. The research also mapped popular tidal flat mooring activities, highlighting areas where these occur within Marine Protected Areas. The findings underscore the potential of AIS data for monitoring recreational boating in sensitive coastal regions, particularly when integrated with radar and ecological datasets.

Meijles, E. W., Daams, M. N., Ens, B. J., Heslinga, J. H., & Sijtsma, F. J. (2021). Tracked to protect - Spatiotemporal dynamics of recreational boating in sensitive marine natural areas. Applied Geography, 130, 102441. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeog.2021.102441