High-resolution hydroacoustic datasets for over 7000 km2 of Southern Baltic

Abstract

This study presents high-resolution hydroacoustic datasets covering over 7000 km2 of Polish Marine Areas in the Southern Baltic, acquired between April 2022 and December 2023 as part of a national initiative to map benthic habitats using advanced sonar technologies. Utilizing a fleet of seven vessels and the expertise of approximately 250 personnel, the project collected bathymetric and side-scan sonar data along more than 95 000 km of survey lines, adhering to International Hydrographic Organization S-44 Order 1a standards. The resulting datasets include detailed bathymetric grids at 50cm×50cm resolution and side-scan sonar backscatter mosaics at 20cm×20cm resolution, with robust quality control ensuring at least 95 % data completeness per grid cell. These data provide unprecedented insight into the underwater topography and sediment characteristics of the region, supporting applications in scientific research, environmental management, offshore wind farm planning, and underwater archaeology. The datasets, available at DOI: 10.26408/southern-baltic-hydroacoustic-datasets (Janowski et al., 2025), lay a solid foundation for future studies and the development of science-informed policies to promote sustainable and resilient marine ecosystems in the Baltic Sea.