This dataset visualises the marine area with is covered by the Barcelona, Bucharest, HELCOM and OSPAR Convention. Bucharest Convention dataset was locally created by cutting marine area of Black Sea and Sea of Azov. HELCOM dataset was downloaded or connect via WMS to http://maps.helcom.fi/ArcGIS/services/DataDelivery/MapServer/WMSServer

The database on Economic Exclusive Zones (EEZ) in the EU was created in 2018 by CETMAR for the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet). It is the result of the harmonization of dataset provided by Marine Regions (http://marineregions.org/). It is updated every year and is available for viewing and download on EMODnet Human Activities web portal (https://emodnet.ec.europa.eu/en/human-activities). The database contains polygons representing Economic Exclusive Zones (EEZ) in the following countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and UK. Each polygon has the following attributes (where available): Territory, Country, Area_km2, Site Name, Data of established EEZ, Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics, mblsds_MBL, MBLSZOTPID and nationalLe.

This shape lists the areas covered by the Regional Advisory Councils (RAC) as poligons as exposed in the Atlas of the Seas. The Black Sea, Aquaculture, Markets and Outermost Regions Advisory Conucils have been added. Aditional information regarding to legal fundation have been added to the original shape.

The database on maritime boundaries in the EU was created in 2014 by CETMAR for the European Marine Observation and Data Network (EMODnet). It is the result of the aggregation and harmonization of datasets provided by EEA (https://www.eea.europa.eu/) and Marine Regions (http://marineregions.org/). It is updated every year and is available for viewing and download on EMODnet Human Activities web portal (https://emodnet.ec.europa.eu/en/human-activities). The database contains polylines representing maritime boundaries (territorial waters, bi- or multi-lateral boundaries (e.g. in the North Sea) as well as contiguous and exclusive economic zones) in the following countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK and third countries related to them. Each polyline has the following attributes (where available): MBLSZOTPID, LocalId, Site Name, Legal Foundation Date, Legal Foundation Document, Country, nationalLe, Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics and Type of Agreement. For the case of the Coastline database, the following attributes are included (where available): FID_Europe, Shape_Leng, Source, Shape_Le_1, Shape_Le_2.

FAO Major Fishing Areas for Statistical Purposes are arbitrary areas, the boundaries of which were determined in consultation with international fishery agencies on various considerations, including (i) the boundary of natural regions and the natural divisions of oceans and seas; (ii) the boundaries of adjacent statistical fisheries bodies already established in inter-governmental conventions and treaties; (iii) existing national practices; (iv) national boundaries; (v) the longitude and latitude grid system; (vi) the distribution of the aquatic fauna; and (vii) the distribution of the resources and the environmental conditions within an area. The rationale of the FAO Major Fishing Areas has been that the areas should, as far as possible, coincide with the areas of competence of other fishery commissions when existing. This system facilitates comparison of data, and improves the possibilities of cooperation in statistical matters in general.

The present layer compiles the marine regions and subregions listed in Article 4 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), together with other surrounding seas of Europe. The MSFD marine regions and subregions map was developed to support DG Environment and EU Member States in their implementation of the MSFD. It represents the current state of understanding of the marine regions and subregions and is subject to amendment in light of any new information which may be produced

The ICES Statistical Areas delineates the divisions and subdivisions of FAO Major Fishing area 27. The ICES Statistical Areas are used as bounding areas for calculation of fish statistics, e.g. catch per unit effort (CPUE) and stock estimates.