Integrating Conceptual Modelling and Ontologies in Marine Spatial Data Infrastructure Design

The Marine Spatial Data Infrastructure (MSDI) faces persistent challenges in achieving semantic interoperability, integrating heterogeneous data, and fostering limited stakeholder cooperation. This paper proposes an ontology-driven conceptual framework to address these issues by harmonising disparate marine data using semantic technologies. Built with Design Science Research Methodology (DSRM), the framework employs an MSDI-specific ontology developed in Protégé and modelled using UML, formalising key concepts such as MarineFeature, TemporalDimension, and SpatialDimension. The approach enables structured knowledge representation, advanced semantic querying via SPARQL, and seamless integration with GIS tools for spatial visualisation and decision support. Industrial-scale validation, including coral reef conservation mapping, demonstrates improved data retrieval accuracy and semantic conflict resolution. Results confirm the framework's ability to enhance cross-domain interoperability, semantic integrity, and support for marine spatial planning (MSP) and ecosystem-based management.