Maritime Policy actions


Maritime spatial
planning

 

Finland © Lionel Flageul
Finland © Lionel Flageul

Maritime spatial planning

Introduction

The Communication on a "Roadmap for Maritime Spatial Planning: Achieving common principles in the EU" was adopted by the Commission on 25 November 2008. It provides information on current maritime spatial planning practices in EU Member States and in third countries, outlines the instruments which impact upon it and sets out key principles underpinning it. The Communication seeks to encourage a broad debate on how a common approach to maritime spatial planning can be achieved in the EU. The roadmap is an important product of the EU's new Integrated Maritime Policy, which the Commission launched in October 2007.

Why is maritime spatial planning necessary?

Increased activity on Europe's seas is resulting in heightened competition between different sectoral interests, such as shipping and maritime transport, offshore energy, port development, fisheries and aquaculture, and environmental concerns. This, in turn, is putting mounting pressure on already limited marine space. A more collaborative and integrated approach to decision-making is required to secure the sustainable development of marine areas in a healthy environment.

What is maritime spatial planning?

Maritime spatial planning is designed to promote rational use of the sea and improve decision-making. It seeks to balance sectoral interests and thereby achieve sustainable use of marine resources. In sporting terms, if the competing human activities concerned are the players, maritime spatial planning is the referee in charge of overseeing fair play in a well-managed arena (the marine environment).

Of course, maritime spatial planning is much more than a concept – it is a process which is determined by the specific needs and challenges of a given marine region and in which well-defined guiding aims, stakeholder involvement and data collection all feature prominently. The adoption of a maritime spatial plan is only one step in this process. It continues with monitoring and evaluation activities to make sure that the plan is enforced properly. It must also be reviewed, and revised where necessary.

What can maritime spatial planning do for us?

Maritime spatial planning combines the key ingredients of economic vibrancy and sustainability, and wraps them in a well-oiled cooperation and planning framework.

The different planning instruments which come into play in maritime spatial planning provide stability and transparency. This generates a favourable climate for investment in maritime activities. In turn, that investment helps create growth and jobs in maritime sectors.

So maritime spatial planning brings with it many potential economic benefits. But it has another crucial role to play, in mitigating the effects of climate change. Rising sea levels, acidification and increasing water temperatures have the potential to significantly affect maritime areas. Maritime spatial planning can promote efficient use of maritime space and the development of renewable sources of energy. Moreover, planning that takes account of the impacts of climate change can make for cost-effective adaptation to the threats posed by climate change.

The fisheries and aquaculture sectors stand to gain as well. Maritime spatial planning can contribute towards the sustainable management of fisheries in EU waters, and provide guidance and reliable data in seeking potential locations for aquaculture activities. It provides a basis for Member States to develop, in conjunction with other instruments such as environment legislation, impact assessments or integrated management plans for specific sea basins or ecosystems.

A growing number of EU Member States have already launched maritime spatial planning measures or will soon be doing so.

Why the need for a European approach?

Implementation of maritime spatial planning is the responsibility of Member States. However, action at EU level can bring important added value.

There are a number of benefits to be derived from EU action on maritime spatial planning. The use of maritime spatial planning will lead to a more competitive EU maritime economy with healthy growth and employment rates and make Europe a more attractive prospect for foreign investment.

Coordination between Member States can also lead to less cumbersome procedures and lower administrative costs. Alongside this, balanced long-term management on sea and land will also benefit the ecosystem as a whole.

National decisions have an impact on countries that share a marine region or sub-region. Likewise, many issues transcend national borders. The EU's role is here to facilitate understanding and coordination between Member States in order to tackle common challenges such as climate change, energy security and economic development. Member States sharing a common approach to the management of marine space in the same sea basin will find it easier to meet these challenges. The Commission is looking to encourage Member States to heed cross-border impacts in their national decision-making.

The roadmap sets out the means for creating this added value. The information on existing practices and the set of key principles for maritime spatial planning that it contains should help fuel a debate on maritime spatial planning at EU level.

So what happens next?

The roadmap marks a first step, by way of a debate, towards the development of a common approach to maritime spatial planning as an important tool for the implementation of the EU's Integrated Maritime Policy.

To facilitate the debate on maritime spatial planning, the European Commission will organise workshops in 2009 to discuss the options for implementing maritime spatial planning in the EU and the specific key principles set out in the roadmap. The outcome of that debate will serve as a basis for conclusions and recommendations to be issued by the Commission later in 2009.

Documentation