The UK Marine Data and Information Partnership (MDIP) - Establishing a UK marine data and information framework

The UK Marine Data and Information Partnership (MDIP) was established in 2005 to work alongside the Marine Environmental Data Actions Group MEDAG) to build harmonised stewardship of and access to UK marine data and information, in order to facilitate improved management of the seas around the UK. In this paper we present the aims and objectives of MDIP, describe the achievements to date, and discuss how MDIP can develop resources necessary to support the UK Marine community as it works together to respond to, and implement key UK and European policy directives: The UK Marine Bill, the EC Maritime Strategy, and INSPIRE.