FAQs

Frequently asked questions

What does it mean that SeaSketch is Open Source?

We use the Free BSD License. It goes like this:

Copyright 2020 The Regents of the University of California.

Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met:

1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.

2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.

3. either the name of the copyright holder nor the names of its contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software without specific prior written permission.

THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

How much data can I store in SeaSketch?

Projects are limited to storing 10 GB of data for free. If more storage is needed, contact [e-mail]. We are currently working on a means by which interested parties may purchase additional storage but that recharge mechanism has not yet been established.

It's worth noting that while SeaSketch offers storage space for data, the platform is primarily designed to facilitate collaborative planning and decision-making processes, rather than to serve as a data repository. That said, it does server as an excellent repository that can even be used to store versions of data along with cartographic styles and metadata.

Can I use SeaSketch for commercial purposes?

See our Terms of Use for more information.

What are the Terms of Use for SeaSketch?

Our Terms of Use are published here.

Can I use SeaSketch for educational purposes?

Yes, SeaSketch can be used for educational purposes. The platform is designed to support collaborative planning and decision-making processes, which can be useful in a variety of educational contexts, from K-12 classrooms to higher education settings.

SeaSketch is essentially free, and it provides up to 10 GB of free storage space, which is sufficient for many educational projects. The platform's collaborative features can also be useful for group projects or class assignments.

In addition to using SeaSketch directly in the classroom, educators and students can also leverage the platform's public projects and datasets for research or other educational purposes. The platform includes a variety of projects and datasets related to marine and coastal conservation, ecosystem management, and other environmental topics, which can provide valuable learning opportunities for students at all levels.

Can I delete users from a project?

No. Once a user has joined a public or invite-only project, a user cannot be removed from a project. This is to protect any content (such as sketches) that a user has generated. You may, however, ban users from accessing forums, or limit their ability to view data or sketch plans by using access controls.

Can users download data?

SeaSketch provides users with a range of options for downloading and exporting data, depending on the user's needs and permissions.

For example, users with appropriate permissions (e.g., administrators) can download shapefiles, CSV files, or GeoJSON files for specific layers or projects. These files can then be used in other GIS software or analyzed in Excel or other data analysis tools.

Additionally, users with permissions can download layers that have been designated downloadable by administrators. Vector data may be download as shapefiles, GeoJSON and flatgeobufs where raster data may be downloaded as GeoTIFFs.

It is important to note, however, that SeaSketch is a collaborative platform that promotes data sharing and collaboration. As such, some data layers may be restricted by the data provider, and users may not be able to download or export them without permission. Additionally, some layers may be designed to be used exclusively within the SeaSketch platform, and may not be available for download.

Are mobile devices supported?

SeaSketch is a web-based platform that is accessible from any device with a web browser and an internet connection, including mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. The platform is designed to be responsive and adaptive, meaning that it can adjust to different screen sizes and resolutions, making it accessible and usable on a wide range of devices.

However, it is worth noting that some of the features and tools within SeaSketch may be better suited for use on a desktop or laptop computer, due to the size of the screen and the complexity of the tasks being performed. For example, creating and editing maps may be more challenging on a small screen.

Overall, SeaSketch is accessible and usable on mobile devices, but the suitability of the platform for specific tasks may depend on the user's device and the complexity of the task at hand.

What browsers are supported?

For now, we recommend using Chrome. We are expanding the list of browsers we support over time.

Why use SeaSketch?

SeaSketch is specifically designed for marine spatial planning, which is a process of allocating human activities in the ocean in a way that minimizes conflict and maximizes sustainable use of resources. Therefore, if you are involved in ocean planning and management, SeaSketch can be an excellent tool for facilitating stakeholder engagement, data visualization, and decision-making.

Some of the unique features of SeaSketch that set it apart from other participatory mapping software include:

1. Marine-specific data and tools: SeaSketch provides marine-specific data and tools that can help users understand ocean ecosystems, biodiversity, and human activities in the ocean. These data and tools are provided by project owners and their collaborators to address the specific needs of marine planning.

2. Collaborative decision-making tools: SeaSketch provides a suite of tools that enable stakeholders to participate in collaborative decision-making, such as debating, commenting, and sharing. This can help ensure that all stakeholders have a voice in the planning process and that decisions are made collaboratively.

3. Customizable platform: SeaSketch is an open-source software, which means that users can customize it to meet their specific needs. This can be particularly useful for organizations with unique planning and management requirements.

4. Integration with other systems: SeaSketch can integrate with other data and management systems, such as Geographic Information Systems (GIS), to provide a comprehensive view of ocean ecosystems and activities.

5. Free data hosting up to 10 GB. SeaSketch performs some critical functions for a Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) including the ability to upload and store data and metadata, share those as downloadable (or not), and even store versions of datasets along with cartographic styles.

SeaSketch has the potential to accelerate marine spatial planning (MSP) by facilitating stakeholder engagement, data sharing, and collaborative decision-making. By providing a platform for stakeholders to communicate and collaborate in a transparent and efficient way, SeaSketch can help streamline the MSP process and reduce conflict among stakeholders.

SeaSketch provides a suite of tools that enable stakeholders to share data, create and analyze maps, and engage in decision-making processes. These tools can help stakeholders understand the distribution of ocean ecosystems and human activities, identify areas of conflict and overlap, and explore potential solutions to these issues. By enabling stakeholders to work together more effectively, SeaSketch can help accelerate the MSP process and improve outcomes for ocean conservation and management.

However, it is important to note that MSP is a complex and multi-faceted process that involves many stakeholders and factors. While SeaSketch can provide a valuable platform for facilitating MSP, it is just one tool among many that may be needed to achieve successful marine spatial planning and management. Other factors, such as political will, regulatory frameworks, and funding, are also critical for the success of MSP.