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11 th International Symposium for GIS and Computer Cartography for Coastal Zones ManagementZone 3B and 4 are always distributed in a similar manner across the three zoning applications, however in theprototype scheme they have the greatest percentage cover of all three applications. This could be seen to be expected,giving the rules of the zoning scheme dictated that areas be ‘upgraded’ when the two datasets were combined.ConclusionA draft descriptive Prototype Zoning scheme has been developed for Scottish waters with the aim of identifyingspatial conflicts that may arise between different users and activities. If applied, such a prototype zonation frameworkcould identify the most suitable areas for development, minimizing impacts on the more sensitive habitats andspecies. In the future, empirical data compiled into a GIS database will be combined with ecological and uncertaintymodels (Stelzenmüller et al., 2010). This will allow the likely outcomes and associated uncertainty to be ascertainedin relation to alternative proposed spatial planning scenarios. The model outputs will be applied to the identificationof potential future opportunities for expansion of marine aquaculture where impacts/effects will be manageable andconsidered to remain within the limits of ecosystem capacity. The adoption of a zoning scheme such as the one developedhere, that incorporates both activities in the marine environment and important environmental considerationscould provide a new approach for regulating, managing and monitoring marine activities. Such an ecosystembasedapproach to marine management, which integrates existing marine protection and conservation designationsas part of future marine spatial planning initiatives, would provide a tool to manage any potentially conflicting useswhilst still maintaining environmental integrity.AcknowledgmentsThe authors would like to acknowledge and thank the following organizations who have kindly provided data andmade the completion of this work possible: CEFAS, DECC, DEFRA, JNCC, Historic Scotland, MSS, RCAHMS,SAHFOS, SEPA, and SNH.ReferencesBoyes, S. J., M. Elliot, S.M. Thomson, S. Atkins, and P. Gilliland (2007), “A proposed multiple-use zoning schemefor the Irish Sea. An interpretation of current legislation through the use of GIS-based zoning approaches and effectivenessfor the protection of nature conservation interests”. Marine Policy, 31:287–298.Day, V., R. Paxinos, J. Emmett, A. Wright, and M. Goecker (2008), “The marine planning framework for SouthAustralia: A new ecosystem based zoning policy for marine management”. Marine Policy, 32:535–543.Stelzenmüller, V., S.I. Rogers, and C.M. Mills (2008), “Spatio-temporal patterns of fishing pressures on UK marinelandscapes, and their implications for spatial planning and management”. ICES Journal of Marine Science,65:1081–1091.Kitsiou, D., H. Coccossis, and M. Karydis (2002), “Multi-dimensional evaluation and ranking of coastal areas usingGIS and multiple criteria choice methods”. The Science of the Total Environment, 284:1–7.Nath, S.S., J.P. Bolte, L.G. Ross, and J. Aguilar-Manjarrez (2000), “Applications of geographical information systems(GIS) for spatial decision support in aquaculture”. Aquacultural Engineering. 23:233–278.Stelzenmüller, V., J. Lee, E. Garnacho, and S.I. Rogers (2010), “Assessment of a Bayesian Belief Network-GISframework as a practical tool to support marine planning”. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 60:1743–1754.91