National Marine Character Areas (NMCA)

Seascapes, like landscapes, reflect the relationship between people and place and the part it plays in forming the setting to our everyday lives. Marine Character Areas highlight the key natural, cultural and perceptual influences that make the character of each seascape distinct and unique. Natural Resources Wales (NRW) were commissioned on behalf of Welsh Government to identify the character of Wales’ seascapes at a broad-scale. We divided our inshore waters into 29 Marine Character Areas. This work provides the strategic spatial evidence on seascapes to inform the Wales National Marine Plan, which is being prepared by Welsh Government. Each area profile includes a description of the key characteristics, including their natural, cultural and perceptual influences, as well as land - sea inter-visibility maps.

Identification

Identifier
NRW_DS119124
Alternative Title
  • Marine Character Areas
Metadata Language
English
Lineage

This work was carried out under contract to LUC. Character assessment involves desk-based stages and field verification, considering the variety and combination of natural, cultural and perceptual influences that make one place distinct and recognisable from another. In all cases the UK Hydrographic Office’s Marine Charts and Ordnance Survey basemapping (for where the MCAs meet the coast) were used as the primary reference points to guide the boundary drawing process, which was digitised in GIS at a scale of 1:250,000.
Additional Information

https://naturalresources.wales/evidence-and-data/maps/marine-character-areas/?lang=en


LUC, 2015. National Seascape Assessment for Wales. NRW Evidence Report 80.

78pp, Natural Resources Wales, Bangor (Wales)
Dataset Reference Date (Publication)
2025-01-30
Owner
  Natural Resources Wales (NRW) -
Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales
http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en
Originator
  Natural Resources Wales (NRW) -
Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales
http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en
 

Extent

Extent

Geographic Extent
Wales (WLS)
N
W
E
S
Map representing the geographic extent of the dataset


 

Vertical Extent

Medin Extent Keyword

benthic boundary layer
 
 

Distribution

Distribution

Format Type and Description
  • Geographic Information System ( )

    Specification

    ESRI Feature Class.

Resource Locator
View and Download ( WWW:LINK-1.0-http--link )
Resource Locator
Web Mapping Service ( OGC:WMS )
 

Quality

Data quality

Quality Scope
Dataset
Conformity
Commission Regulation (EU) No 1089/2010 of 23 November 2010 implementing Directive 2007/2/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards interoperability of spatial data sets and services
Explanation

This dataset has not been assessed for conformance to the referenced INSPIRE regulation.
Degree
false
Lineage

This work was carried out under contract to LUC. Character assessment involves desk-based stages and field verification, considering the variety and combination of natural, cultural and perceptual influences that make one place distinct and recognisable from another. In all cases the UK Hydrographic Office’s Marine Charts and Ordnance Survey basemapping (for where the MCAs meet the coast) were used as the primary reference points to guide the boundary drawing process, which was digitised in GIS at a scale of 1:250,000.
 

Keywords

Keywords

GEMET - INSPIRE themes, version 1.0
Type
Theme

Citation

Date (Publication)
2008-06-01
Code
geonetwork.thesaurus.external.theme.httpinspireeceuropaeutheme-theme

Keywords

NRW Thesaurus
  • seascape character assessment
  • seascapes
  • spatial plan
Type
Theme

Citation

Date (Publication)
2025-01-08
Code
geonetwork.thesaurus.local.theme.converted_nrw-keywords

Keywords

SeaDataNet Parameter Discovery Vocabulary
Type
Theme

Citation

Date (Publication)
2024-06-19
Code
geonetwork.thesaurus.external.theme.rdf+xml

Keywords

NRW SMNR Keywords
  • Sustainable Management of Natural Resources (SMNR)
  • Sea and Coast (SMNR)
  • Management Areas (SMNR)
  • Marine (SMNR)
  • Water Resources (SMNR)
  • Natural Resources (Incl. Features and Processes) (SMNR)
  • Ecosystem (SMNR)
Type
Theme

Citation

Date (Publication)
2024-06-26
Code
geonetwork.thesaurus.local.theme.converted_nrw-smnr-keywords
 

Spatial Reference System

Code
British National Grid (EPSG::27700)
 

Content

Content Information

NRW Profile

Custom Elements

 

Constraints

Constraints

Limitations on Public Access and Use

Restriction type
Other restrictions
 

Access Constraints Directive

Limitations
no limitations
 

Access Constraints Text

Other constraints

There are no access restrictions on this data. NRW may release, publish or disseminate it freely.
 

Use Constraints

Use constraints type
Other restrictions
Other constraints

© CNC/NRW All rights Reserved. Contains Ordnance Survey Data. Ordnance Survey Licence number AC0000849444. Crown Copyright and Database Right Data may be re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence providing it is done so, acknowledging both the source and copyright of the owners. It is the recipient's responsibility to ensure the data is fit for the intended purpose.
 

Attribution Statement

Other constraints

Contains Natural Resources Wales information © Natural Resources Wales and Database Right. All rights Reserved. Contains Ordnance Survey Data. Ordnance Survey Licence number AC0000849444. Crown Copyright and Database Right.
 

Licence

Other constraints
Open Government Licence
 
 
 

Metadata

Metadata

File Identifier
4f4c4942-4343-5764-6473-313139313234 XML
Metadata Language
English
Resource type
Dataset
Metadata Date
2026-03-03T11:15:29.143Z
Metadata Standard Name
NRW
Metadata Standard Version

1.0

pointOfContact
  Natural Resources Wales (NRW) -
Maes-y-Ffynnon, Penrhosgarnedd, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 2DW, Wales
http://naturalresources.wales/?lang=en
 
 

Publishing Body

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