Progress and promise in spatial human dimensions research for ecosystem-based ocean planning

► Human impacts on ocean environments are intensifying, prompting calls for ecosystem-based planning approaches. ► This article reviews progress in spatial social research on human ocean activities and uses. ► Research is growing in scope and sophistication, with increased use of new tools and technologies. ► More research is conducted in the developed versus the developing world. ► There is significant promise for this research to be applied in planning and management.