Social and economic applications
Once baseline maps are available other information can be added to geographic locations. These data can include where and when fishing for targeted species occurs, the availability of docks for berthing and unloading fish, the location of processing plants and related data. Social and economic geospatial data support understanding of the distribution and behavior of fishing fleets (a term that refers to an aggregate of commercial fishing vessels) throughout the region. In addition, community profiles and infrastructure are appropriate datasets for GIS technologies that can be used to manage fishing activities. Geospatial information and analyses can be used to predict potential impacts of spills and storms, as well as physical impacts once a disaster has occurred.