Webinar: “Linking Ocean Fronts and Biodiversity for Evidenced Marine Spatial Planning”

Date: Thursday 19 June 2025
Time: 14:00–15:15 BST

This webinar will present the findings of the FRONTWARD project (Fronts for Marine Wildlife Assessment for Renewable Developments), funded by The Crown Estate. The project investigated the locations, dynamic nature and climatic trends of ocean fronts, dynamic boundaries between different water masses. The project also tested for linkages between frontal characteristics and detectable biodiversity of highly mobile species (representative fish, seabirds and mammals) in UK waters. Its outcomes, datasets and recommendations can help inform spatial planning in marine sectors such as offshore renewable energy. The methods developed are applicable to other regions beyond the UK.

🔗 More about the project: FRONTWARD: Fronts for Marine Wildlife Assessment for Renewable Developments | Marine Data Exchange

Register to attend here: Webinar registration

Webinar agenda

Welcome from Sarah Wren (Marine Evidence Manager, The Crown Estate).

10-minute presentation on The Crown Estate’s Whole of Seabed Programme, the evidence underpinning their Marine Delivery Routemap, and where this project originated.

30-minute presentation of the project’s key outcomes, including contributions by project co-leads:
Dr Peter Miller, Plymouth Marine Laboratory;
Prof. Beth Scott, University of Aberdeen;
Dr James Waggitt, Bangor University.

15-minute live demonstration of FRONTWARD datasets, including how to extract and use the data from the Marine Data Exchange.