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Maritime spatial planning: opportunities & challenges in the framework of the EU integrated maritime policy

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Abstract

In recent years, maritime spatial planning (MSP) has become an internationally emerging, promising tool for the implementation of integrated ocean management. MSP provides the appropriate framework for public authorities and stakeholders to coordinate their action across sectors and administrative boundaries, and to optimize the use of natural resources. In November 2008 the European Commission adopted the Communication “Roadmap for Maritime Spatial Planning: Achieving Common Principles in the EU” (COM(2008) 791 final) aiming to facilitate the development of MSP by Member States and to stimulate its implementation at national and EU level. Core element of this Roadmap is a set of ten key principles for MSP in Europe. Although endorsed as valid and comprehensive, further discussion and research is needed to identify challenges, measures and tools for the key principle’s practical application. This special issue of the Journal of Coastal Conservation: Planning and Management (JCCPM) seeks to contribute to this discussion. Its purpose is to shed light from different angles on the various aspects of the mentioned ten key principles and provide lessons learned from experience in different maritime areas around the world. Taking a more scientific, rather than a political point of view, the following articles will debate the different principles, their practical handling, as well as the consequences linked to their application.

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Notes

  1. Communication from the Commission “An Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union”, COM(2007a) 575 final of 10.10.2007. Available at http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/policy_documents_en.html

  2. Communication from the Commission “An Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union”, SEC(2007b) 1278 final of 10.10.2007. Available at http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/policy_documents_en.html

  3. The term “maritime” spatial planning will be used throughout the article, although in international practice the terms “marine spatial planning” or “coastal and marine spatial planning” are more commonly used. In an EU context the term “maritime spatial planning” was chosen to emphasize the cross-sectoral approach of the process. “Maritime” refers to all maritime human activities including the protection of the marine environment. As the European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Maria Damanaki explains it”spatial planning of the sea was [initially] perceived in the EU as an environmental policy. However, it is now regarded as a sector-neutral approach with the objective not only to protect the marine environment but also to promote economic growth of the maritime economy.” (published in Marine Ecosystems and Management (MEAM), Vol. 4, No. 4, February-March 2011, available at http://depts.washington.edu/meam/)

  4. Ehler, C. and Douvere, F., UNESCO. 2009, page 18

  5. Communication from the Commission “Roadmap for Maritime Spatial Planning: Achieving Common Principles in the EU” COM(2008a) 791 final of 25.11.2008. Available at http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/spatial_planning_en.html

  6. Adopted in 1982, entered into force in 1994.

  7. Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a Framework for Community Action in the Field of Marine Environmental Policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive). Available at http://ec.europa.eu/environment/water/marine/index_en.htm

  8. cf. Recital 3 of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive

  9. Communication from the Commission “Maritime Spatial Planning in the EU—Achievements and Future Development” (COM (2010) 771 final of 17.12.2010. Available at http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/spatial_planning_en.html#6

  10. cf. Communication from the Commission “Maritime Spatial Planning in the EU—Achievements and Future Development” (COM (2010) 771 final of 17.12.2010. page 4

  11. cf. Communication from the Commission “Maritime Spatial Planning in the EU—Achievements and Future Development” (COM (2010) 771 final of 17.12.2010. page 4

  12. cf. Communication from the Commission “Maritime Spatial Planning in the EU—Achievements and Future Development” (COM (2010) 771 final of 17.12.2010. page 4

  13. cf. European Commission, COM(2008b) 395 final, 2008

  14. Communication from the Commission “Maritime Spatial Planning in the EU—Achievements and Future Development” (COM (2010) 771 final of 17.12.2010. page 5

  15. Communication from the Commission “Maritime Spatial Planning in the EU—Achievements and Future Development” (COM (2010) 771 final of 17.12.2010. page 5

  16. cf. Commission Staff Working Document “Building a European marine knowledge infrastructure: Roadmap for a European Marine Observation and Data Network” SEC(2009) 499 final of 7.4.2009. Available at http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/emodnet_en.html

  17. Available at http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/atlas/index_en.htm

  18. Study on the economic effects of Maritime Spatial Planning. Final report and report on case studies available at http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/study_msp_en.html

References

  • Commission of the European Communities (2001) A sustainable Europe for a better world: a European union strategy for sustainable development, COM(2001) 264 final

  • Commission of the European Communities (2007a) Commission staff working document. Accompanying document to the communication from the commission to the European parliament, the council, the European economic and social committee and the committee of the regions. An Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union, SEC(2007) 1278

  • Commission of the European Communities (2007b) Communication from the commission to the European parliament, the council, the European economic and social committee and the committee of the regions. An Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union. COM(2007) 575 final

  • Commission of the European Communities (2008a) Communication from the commission. Roadmap for maritime spatial planning: achieving common principles in the EU. COM(2008) 791 final

  • Commission of the European Communities (2008b) Communication to the council, the European parliament, the European economic and social committee and the committee of the regions. Guidelines for an integrated approach to maritime policy: towards best practice in integrated maritime governance and stakeholder consultation. COM(2008) 395 final

  • Commission Staff Working Document (2009) Building a European marine knowledge infrastructure: roadmap for a European marine observation and data network. SEC (2009) 499 final

  • Communication from the Commission (2010) Maritime spatial planning in the EU—achievements and future development. (COM (2010) 771 final

  • Directive 2008/56/EC of the European parliament and of the council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive)

  • Ehler C, Douvere F (2009) Marine spatial planning: a step-by-step approach towards ecosystem-based management. Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and Man and the Biosphere Programme. IOC Manual and Guides No.53, ICAM Dossier No. 6. UNSECO, Paris

  • Marine Ecosystems and Management (MEAM), Vol. 4, No. 4, February-March 2011, available at http://depts.washington.edu/meam/

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. European Commission, Directorate General Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (DG MARE), Director, Sustainable Ocean Solutions Inc., 65n Capri Avenue NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2L 0G9

    Nicole Schaefer

  2. Institute for Environment & Sustainability, Joint Research Centre, European Commission, TP 272, Via E. Fermi 2749, 21020, Ispra, VA, Italy

    Vittorio Barale

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  1. Nicole Schaefer
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  2. Vittorio Barale
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Correspondence to Nicole Schaefer.

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Schaefer, N., Barale, V. Maritime spatial planning: opportunities & challenges in the framework of the EU integrated maritime policy. J Coast Conserv 15, 237–245 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-011-0154-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11852-011-0154-3

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