About the HUB

This Regional Oceans and Coastal data hub – named as The ROC (pronounced “the rock”) – is a one-stop shop for spatial datasets on Africa’s marine resources and their supporting ecosystems. Currently marine ecosystems are becoming increasingly challenged by environmental problems (e.g. pollution) embedded in freshwater and brackish ecosystems. So unlike traditional data portals, The ROC does not focus on one resource (e.g., fish) or sector (fisheries).

Rather, it is a multidisciplinary hub covering different resources, environments and stakeholders connected to the health of coastal/marine communities across Africa. These diverse number of information were previously scattered across different national archives and international repositories. They are presented under three categories – biological, physico-chemical and socioeconomic data, depending on the type of ecosystem – freshwater, brackish, marine or wetland – and the target unit of analysis (see Figure below).

Dataset structure of the ROC Datahub. Featuring 3 categories of datasets (Socio-economic data, biological data and physio-chemical data) in four ecosystems (fresh water, brackish water, marine and wetland) measured under various unit of analysis
The ROC data flow diagram; flow lines coloured red, black and green shows unit of analysis The ROC uses for socioeconomic, biological and physico-chemical data, respectively.

The objective of the Project is to provide access to both raw and processed data, in support of interoperable discovery and holistic ocean management. The Project is supported by the World Bank through the Africa Centre of Excellence on Coastal Resilience (ACECoR) and the West Africa Coastal Area management programme (WACA).

Brief on Data Categories

  • Socioeconomic Data image

    Socioeconomic Data

    This covers information related to nations/states, institutions, communities and individuals connected to freshwater, brackish, and marine ecosystems

  • Biological Data image

    Biological Data

    This covers information concerning living organisms, their products, exploitation, interactions and the natural systems that support them.

  • Physio-Chemical Data image

    Physio-Chemical Data

    This covers physical and chemical properties related to the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere of freshwater, brackish, and marine ecosystems.