"EU MSP News and EU MSP Flash" Newsletter Issues

New publication: Harmonizing maritime spatial planning data across Europe (22/09/2021)

The European Commission’s Technical Expert Group (TEG) on Data for Maritime Spatial Planning is pleased to share the newly published ‘Proposal for making harmonized MSP plan data available across Europe. Results of the work of the Technical Expert Group (TEG) on MSP data’. In connection with these recommendations, the Assistance Mechanism for Implementation of MSP, in partnership with the TEG and EMODnet invites EU Member States to request support, should they have need, in connection with the newly published recommendations, including the possibility of organising training session for EU Member States.

COP26: New roadmap on advancing climate-smart MSP for offshore renewables. (09/11/2021)

The UN Global Compact launched during COP26 the Roadmap to Integrate Clean Offshore Renewable Energy into Climate-smart Marine Spatial Planning together with leaders from the Global Wind Energy Council and IOC-UNESCO.

OCEaN Messages on MSP (12/11/2021)

The Offshore Coalition for Energy and Nature (OCEaN) working group on Marine/Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) has recently finalised a document containing five key principles that Member States should integrate into their respective national MSP plans.

Slovenia adopts its final Maritime Spatial Plan (09/11/2021)

Slovenia’s MSP was adopted in summer 2021 and recently translated into English. Discover the maps, vision and ongoing work on our website.

Two new MSP cross-border projects launched (09/11/2021)

The Emerging ecosystem-based Maritime Spatial Planning topics in North and Baltic Seas Region (eMSP NBSR) and Advancing Maritime Spatial Planning in Outermost Regions (MSP-OR) projects were awarded under the EMFF-MSP-2020 call for projects. Both projects were officially launched early October 2021.

Finnish Marine Spatial Plan 1.0 - Closing Seminar (12/11/2021)

The initial Finnish maritime spatial plan was approved in December 2020 and first planning cycle is coming to an end. A final seminar with the marine partners is being organised in Lumilinna, Kemi, on Friday 3 December 2021

Integrating an ecosystem-based approach in MSP - EC study (09/11/2021)

The “Study on Integrating an Ecosystem-based Approach into Maritime Spatial Planning” was launched by the European Commission and carried out by a team coordinated by Milieu Consulting with ACTeon, the Baltic Environmental Forum and Wageningen University, supported by Fresh Thoughts Consulting and GRID-Arendal. The main objective of the study is to assess the state of play in the practical application of an Ecosystem-based Approach (EBA) in MSP and to develop a practical method and toolbox that can support the application, monitoring and evaluation of EBA in MSP.

EMFAF call for Maritime Spatial Planning Projects (09/11/2021)

The objective of this call for proposals is to facilitate the implementation of Maritime Spatial Planning in the EU, including through the effective application of Directive 2014/89 establishing a framework for MSP.

Sealogy 2021 (18/11/2021)

Blue Economy Conference at Sealogy® - ‘A new approach for a sustainable Blue Economy’

4th Baltic Sea Region Planners’ Forum (24/11/2021)

4th Baltic Sea Region Planners’ Forum

The 2020 MPA Forum: Face to Face Forum (29/11/2021)

MedPAN, SPA/RAC, WWF, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, and their partners, are pleased to announce the 3rd edition of the Forum of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the Mediterranean.

Final Conference of the project MARSPLAN-BS II (25/11/2021)

Final Conference of the project MARSPLAN-BS II

Finnish Maritime Spatial Plan 1.0 - Final Seminar (03/12/2021)

Finland's Marine Spatial Plan 2030 is in force and the first planning cycle is coming to an end. A final seminar with the marine partners is being organised in Lumilinna, Kemi, on Friday 3 December 2021 from 8:30 to 14:30.

WestMED Stakeholder conference outputs (17/11/2021)

November 9th was a big day for the western Mediterranean dialogue in the blue economy. On that day the WestMED stakeholder conference in Rome outlined the priorities and next steps of cooperation in aquaculture, green shipping, sustainable tourism, maritime clusters, development of maritime skills and more.

Revised maritime spatial plans for Germany (08/09/2021)

The process of revising the maritime spatial plans has been completed after two rounds of national and international consultations. Changes were made based on the feedback received and the revised maritime spatial plans for the German EEZ in the North Sea and Baltic Sea entered into force on 1 September 2021.

Denmark moving forward with maritime spatial plans (08/09/2021)

Denmark organized a workshop to present their new maritime spatial plans on June 29 2021 – The Danish digital and legally binding maritime spatial plan, as well as the environmental assessment, were presented. Presentations and videos of the event are available online.

New sections on EU MSP website (09/09/2021)

The European MSP Platform website now hosts a dedicated section for the Technical Expert Group (TEG) on Data for MSP. A new section for MSP Tools and Guidance will also soon be populated with various resources and documents for MSP practitioners.

Maritime spatial planning in the Black Sea (06/09/2021)

Building on the first MARSPLAN-BS project which ended in 2018, MARSPLAN-BS II further developed maritime spatial plans and a common cross-border strategy between Romania and Bulgaria for the Mangalia-Shabla area. Read more about this project and MSP in the Black Sea with this new article published by EC Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.

New strategic guidelines for EU aquaculture (08/09/2021)

The strategic guidelines for more sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture provide a vision for the further development of aquaculture, contributing to the European Green Deal, the multi-use of maritime space and economic recovery following the Covid-19 pandemic.

SIMAtlantic: final event, tools and report (06/09/2021)

The SIMAtlantic project is coming to an end. Discover their latest work and report with 'Current and future uses and needs in the European Atlantic region' by the IEO (Instituto Español de Oceanografía) and a method for addressing synergies between the different uses in Maritime Spatial Planning by CEREMA.fr.

New European Maritime and Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund enters into force (08/09/2021)

The EMFAF runs from 2021 to 2027 and supports the EU common fisheries policy (CFP), the EU maritime policy and the EU agenda for international ocean governance.

Reminder: EU MSP reports on offshore and multiuse (08/09/2021)

The European MSP Platform published over the last months to reports focusing on fisheries, aquaculture and offshore windfarms coexistence as well as best practice guidance in multi-use issues and licensing procedures. Make sure to download these on our website.

ESPON MSP peer learning workshop Romania (28/09/2021)

This ESPON Peer Learning Workshop (PLW) will focus on the green offshore energy potentials of the Black Sea and also on how these potentials could be best exploited in an economically and ecologically sustainable way.

Baltic Sea Ports: Greendeal and Blue Economy (22/10/2021)

This online seminar is co-organised with the Informal Baltic Sea group and the CPMR Baltic Sea Commission with the support of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions.

Applying an Ecosystem-Based Approach in Maritime Spatial Planning: online seminar (29/09/2021)

In the framework of the Joint Roadmap to accelerate Maritime/Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) processes worldwide, an online seminar will present the results of a new study on how to integrate an ecosystem-based approach in MSP.

MSP global final event (05/10/2021)

The Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) of UNESCO is convening together with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE) the final conference of their joint MSPglobal Initiative.

Hack4Oceans (20/10/2021)

Hack4oceans is a 2-day Youth Innovation Event where participants from across Europe will learn, explore and co-create opportunities for prosperity through ocean conservation and sustainable use of marine resources.

MSP in Europe - Showcasing Maritime Spatial Planning in Video (24/06/2021)

This video produced by the European MSP platform presents examples of cross border and cross sectoral cooperation in five maritime basins to support the smart, sustainable and fair use of the maritime space. The video showcases the work of five MSP projects supported by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (2014-2020), including the MARSPLAN-BS-II in the Black Sea. Please see the background document for more information and video download links.

New approach for a sustainable blue economy in the EU (28/05/2021)

On 17 May, the European Commission published its new approach to achieving a sustainable blue economy in the EU. These guidelines are aligned with the objectives of the European Green Deal to ensure that the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is ecologically sustainable and inclusive.

Polish Maritime Spatial Plan enters into force (02/06/2021)

On 14 April 2021, the Polish Government (council of Ministers) adopted a regulation on the Polish spatial development plan for internal sea waters, the territorial sea and the exclusive economic zone. The plan has been in force since 22 May when it was published in the official Journal of Law. Read all about MSP in Poland on our dedicated country page.

Towards an Atlantic Vision for MSP (28/05/2021)

This event was held jointly with the European MSP Platform and the Assistance Mechanism for the Atlantic Action Plan, as part of the European Maritime Day ‘In My Country’ programme. Follow the link to learn more and help develop a vision for maritime spatial planning (MSP) in the European Atlantic region by completing a short survey.

Multi-Use MED webinar outputs (28/05/2021)

This joint webinar organised by the European MSP Platform and MSP MED focused on coexistence and synergetic relationship between economic, social, environmental, and cultural components of “spatial efficiency” at sea.

MSPglobal storytelling map: new tool for MSP pilot projects (28/05/2021)

Discover the status of current activities, pressures, conflicts and compatibilities as well as proposed scenarios based on the recently launched MSPglobal technical reports. An initiative by UNESCO MSP Global

MSP as a booster for the Blue Economy (27/05/2021)

The WestMED – MSPglobal joint webinar focused on advancing a step closer to a Mediterranean MSP perspective, a perspective of collaboration, coexistence and synergetic relationship between the different components of the maritime sectors

Consultation on EU algae initiative (28/05/2021)

The public consultation on the EU Algae Initiative is now open - The Initiative aims to increase sustainable production, ensure safe consumption and boost innovative use of algae & algae-based products in Europe.

MakeEUBlue: a public campaign for ocean literacy (28/05/2021)

The Make Europe Blue campaign calls on citizens, businesses, organisations, authorities, and celebrities to commit to an action that can benefit the ocean.

European Natura 2000 Award: new category open for Marine conservation (02/06/2021)

The European Commission launched the 6th edition of the European Natura 2000 Award. The new edition includes a new category for Marine conservation to put more focus on the conservation of marine and coastal areas. Applicants can apply to the Award until September 30.

Seanergy 2021 (08/06/2021)

Seanergy, an international leading event on offshore wind and marine renewable energy, originally scheduled for June 2020, will be held on 8-11 June 2021.

MSP decision making with PHAROS4MPAs (11/06/2021)

The aim of this webinar is to enhance knowledge on innovative approaches and tools to support Maritime Spatial Planning in view of boosting Blue Economy in the Mediterranean region and to showcase the approach of the PHAROS4MPAs project.

EMODnet Open Conference and Jamboree 2021 (14/06/2021)

During the event, EMODnet partners, data providers and users will connect across stakeholder communities and look ahead to help us design and implement EMODnet next phase to 2030 and beyond.

SEAPLANSPACE Summer School 2021 (02/06/2021)

The SEAPLANSPACE project is organising a Summer School for 2021 that will take place online from 28 June to 2 July.

Overview of the effects of offshore wind farms on fisheries and aquaculture (28/05/2021)

The expansion of offshore wind farms (OWFs) will in certain places lead to increased coexistence and the potential for multiple uses of space available for fishing and aquaculture activities, or to potential conflicts and restrictions for some fishing activities. This study provides an overview of the state of knowledge on the existing and potential future effects of OWFs on fisheries and aquaculture.

New publication from SIMAtlantic (28/05/2021)

The SIMAtlantic project has published a new report available on its publications page. The report is available in English and French.

2021 EU Blue Economy report – Emerging sectors prepare blue economy for leading part in EU green transition (27/05/2021)

The European Commission has published the fourth edition of “The EU Blue Economy Report”, providing an overview of the performance of the EU-27 economic sectors related to oceans and the coastal environment.

Guidelines for a more sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture (27/05/2021)

This strategic document provides a vision for the further development of aquaculture, in a way that contributes to the European Green Deal and economic recovery following the Covid-19 pandemic.

Does Interreg Maritime Cooperation matter? (27/05/2021)

As part of a "Maritime Roadshow", Interact released a series of videos showcasing how organisations and people across Europe have cooperated to tackle a variety of maritime challenges, with support of the Interreg Programme. 5 regional videos are already available, including one on South-West Europe.

Communicating MSP - webinar material (28/05/2021)

Following the publication of the Communicating MSP handbook, this webinar hosted by the European MSP Platform and IOC UNESCO MSP Global provided an in depth analysis of concrete examples of MSP communication strategies. The report and online video replays are available on our website.