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Socio-cultural dimensions and values in maritime spatial planning (MSP) are gaining momentum worldwide and especially in the European Union (EU), since it is acknowledged that they are the "missing layer" of maritime spatial plans (MSPlans). These values are partly explored through cultural ecosystem services (CES). Coastal and marine CES refer to the benefits that humans derive from the coastal and marine environments in recreational, artistic, spiritual, and educational terms. They reflect the ways in which coastal and marine ecosystems contribute to human well-being, cultural identity, and interactions with nature. The research question is how to map and assess coastal/marine ecosystem services and to integrate them in the MSPlans. Thus, this systematic review sheds light on methodological and technical issues with CES mapping and assessment and provides guidance on how to incorporate CES in MSP for future research. Publications dealing with the spatial aspects of CES were examined with an extra focus on participatory mapping approaches. Initially, 199 articles were identified, and 50 articles were ultimately eligible for the analysis. Papers were concentrated in the European Atlantic, whilst their scope was either local or regional. A large number of articles consider the contribution of CES to efficient marine management rather than to achieving an integrated and coordinated MSP. Social and mixed mapping approaches were met with the most often, especially participatory mapping approaches. Also, non-monetary valuation was prevailing, and a multitude of techniques, tools, and statistical software were used. In most of the cases, the distribution of values in relation to environmental, socio-economic, and demographic factors was examined. This article concludes that an effective integration of CES into MSP is crucial for creating prospects of a more sustainable and inclusive approach to coastal/marine planning and for the well-being of ecosystems and communities both currently and for future generations. This knowledge should become "property" of the maritime spatial planners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coastal areas are the most populated and exploited territories by human activities, whose intensification strains terrestrial and marine ecosystems' environmental health and biodiversity. These anthropic dynamics interact with each other and with natural resources and geochemical processes that are fundamental assets for the land-sea continuum. These interconnections are addressed by the concept of Land-Sea Interactions. Although their consideration is required in the planning of the maritime space of European Union waters, clear indications of what exactly they comprise and how to manage them are yet to be produced. The scope of the research is to provide an overview of the current trans-sectoral policyscape of existing European acts that support the management of land-sea interactions. The resulting policy mapping, organized according to human activity clusters and common policy goals, describes a complex interlinkage among regulations and directives that also helps highlight the policy gaps to date in developing a blue economy (e.g., tourism and offshore energy production). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines maritime spatial planning (MSP) from the perspective of transboundary interaction in the context of the public right of access to environmental information while considering digitisation possibilities. In addition to a theoretical approach, the paper contains an empirical part. The paper presents the background characterising the genesis of MSP in the European Union and its transboundary nature. Following a literature review, the paper offers a characterisation of the right of access to environmental information in the context of MSP transboundary interaction. The empirical part clarifies the availability of basic MSP documentation, namely maritime spatial plans, their cartographic format, and strategic environmental assessments in practice, based partly on communication with the national MSP authorities of the European Union's coastal Member States. The main finding relates to the need to look for approaches offered in the framework of the paper to ensure the digital distribution of basic official MSP information in the context of transboundary interaction in line with the right of access to environmental information in the pertinent legislation and soft law instruments at the international, regional and national levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This article investigates whether Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) –which promotes the integrated planning and management of seas and oceans– can play a role in creating increased integration between the EU's renewable energy policy and the potentially conflicting rules on the protection of habitats, species and water. The article focuses on innovative ocean energy (tidal stream, wave and salinity gradient energy). It can be said that there is a possible lack of integration between the Renewable Energy Directive and the EU rules on the protection of habitats, species and water: the Habitats Directive, the Birds Directive, the Water Framework Directive and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. The role that MSP could play in solving this is assessed with regard to the following two legal issues that reflect the said lack of integration: 1) while there are derogation clauses, there is no obligation for Member States to apply these clauses and to undertake a balancing act between ocean energy, on the one hand, and the protection of habitats, species and water, on the other; 2) even if these clauses are applied, it remains unclear how much weight Member States should attach to ocean energy under a subsequent balancing act. The concept of Maritime Spatial Planning in theory is very suitable for guaranteeing that the interests of both renewable energy policy and environmental policy are duly taken into account in licensing procedures and management measures. The contribution that MSP can make towards increased integration is, however, strongly dependent on the way MSP is interpreted on the Member State level. This is illustrated by a discussion of the differences in the current MSP approaches in Scotland and the Netherlands. This article concludes that Maritime Spatial Planning may –if certain conditions are fulfilled– be a suitable way to create a necessity to balance the EU's habitats, species and water protection rules with (ocean) renewable energy projects, on different levels of governance. Nevertheless, it also concludes that MSP alone cannot guarantee a balancing act that represents the goals of the Renewable Energy Directive and those of the aforementioned environmental directives in an equal manner. This article proposes to link MSP to detailed renewable energy plans per Member State in order to solve this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract European Union (EU) strategy on blue growth has directed interest in the debate on utilizing marine resources. At the same time, EU Member States are taking the first steps in doing maritime spatial planning (MSP). For strategic planning such as MSP and prioritizing future investments, governments and policy makers are in need of economic indicators for the blue economy. Although in all parts of the world the sea has traditionally been the driver for the growing economy, research on the economic value of the blue economy has been limited. However, when MSP is becoming the norm, evaluating the existing blue economy becomes more important. In this paper, the economic significance of blue economies is estimated for the Gulf of Bothnia (GoB) region of Finland. By conducting a case study on the current situation of the blue economy in a specific region it is possible to bring the discussion of blue growth to a practical and local level. The GoB was seen as a potential area to study blue growth or the blue economy because of the already existing active maritime sector and the relatively pristine environment. The core problems of defining and quantifying multi-sector resources such as the blue economy will be discussed, and comprehensive data to scrutinize the blue economy sector in the GoB will be provided. This study stresses the importance of local economic data to be able to understand the potential of blue economies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Activities in the North Sea are intensifying. The European Union instructs maritime spatial planning across member states that motivates coordination of activities, stakeholders, policies, governance levels and nations. Social innovation is a concept addressing ways in which changing attitudes, behaviour or perceptions are leading to new and improved ways of acting jointly within a group and beyond. The main aim of this article is to explore social innovation in maritime spatial planning. Instances of social innovation are assessed across three sectors in the Dutch North Sea: the offshore wind energy, the offshore mussel cultivation and the offshore seaweed farming. The assessment shows that, while existing systems of social innovation are favourable to the offshore wind expansions, the barriers to grow for the offshore mussel sector include low willingness to change within the sector, and disadvantageous governmental support to change. The offshore seaweed farming is in a stage of re-organisation of not yet developed regulations, rules and norms for production offshore and enhanced cooperation, with unsure outcomes. Maritime spatial planning can play a more influential role for change if tackling main challenges, including inclusiveness, accountability, private user rights and realisation of organisation or reorganisation, and if making use of the potentials of knowledge brokers when sectors are advancing with new technologies. Highlights • Maritime Spatial Plans (MSP) can contribute to smart, inclusive and sustainable growth. • Social innovation can encourage sector integration and cooperation. • If tackling challenges of inclusiveness and accountability, MSP can be more influential. • If using the potentials of knowledge brokers, MSP can enhance social innovation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union (EU) promotes a sustainable blue economy in the coastal and marine regions. In Finland, the regional development objectives are defined at the national and regional levels. Maritime spatial planning (MSP) is a tool to reconcile the sea's different uses. This study considers developing collaborative practices in regional planning to help meet regional development objectives. The MSP participants representing the coastal fishery (fishing and fish farming) in the Satakunta region, Finland, exemplify a local stakeholder group. Coastal fishery is a demanding and highly regulated livelihood, with the potential to grow as local food is trending. A mixed-method approach was used to examine MSP participants' and fishery experts' perceptions about regional cooperation and the MSP process. The semi-structured interviews focused on three main themes: regional cooperation and synergies, conflicts and threats, and interest in regional collaboration or establishing secondary businesses. Questionnaires 2019 and 2021 examined stakeholders' engagement (intrinsic motivation) and social trust towards the planners in the MSP process. The need to tackle the challenges of coastal fishery dictates coastal fishery participants' perceptions regarding the fishery business's development in a regional context. Despite the collaborative approach, the first Finnish MSP round did not make a significant difference in the coastal fishery's status as a stakeholder group. MSP processes and developing the sustainable blue economy are part of the regional development framework, requiring a level playing field and mutual trust among stakeholders. The regional development of marine and coastal areas would benefit from a joint forum for stakeholder interaction built upon MSP. Collaboration could strengthen the integrative and comprehensive management of sea uses and resources. • Coastal fishery participants' perceptions of MSP and regional cooperation studied. • The fishery participants reflect the challenges and complexities of coastal fishery. • The MSP process fulfilled the coastal fishery participants' expectations variedly. • MSP could support regional development by providing a collaboration forum. • MSP collaboration may strengthen the integrative management of marine resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With one of Europe׳s largest exclusive economic zones, Portugal has a paramount role in the implementation of EU maritime policies. In the Portuguese context, ocean planning and management are presently undergoing major advances. This paper analyzes and discusses the present state of affairs regarding the Portuguese marine spatial planning (MSP) process, comprising: (1) an update on the status of MSP in Portugal; (2) an analysis on how sustainability concepts are to be implemented in the Portuguese MSP process and (3) a discussion on major challenges to Portuguese MSP long-term sustainability. The Portuguese MSP process can be divided in two phases: development of the “Plano de Ordenamento do Espaço Marítimo” (POEM) – initially intended to be the first Portuguese “marine spatial plan” but then published as a “study”; and development of the Law Proposal 133/XII on marine planning and management – soon to be approved. A key question for the long-term adequacy of Portuguese MSP is how is it addressing environmental sustainability: is it relying on soft or hard sustainability concepts? Is it prioritizing the achievement of good environmental status (GES) or blue growth? In both cases (POEM and Law Proposal), soft sustainability seems to be the underlying principle, because although the ecosystem approach is recognized as fundamental, environmental quality seems to come second when set against economic goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Marine spatial planning (MSP) has emerged worldwide as a tool for sustainable ocean governance. This paper reviews how sustainability and ecosystem-based management (EBM) have been included so far within the MSP general framework, by carrying out: (1) a review on the links between sustainability, EBM and MSP in EU maritime policy initiatives; (2) an analysis on the differences between ecosystem-based MSP versus MSP focused on delivering blue growth; and (3) a discussion on how adaptive management may address some of the main challenges found in achieving sustainable ocean management. From the EU Green Paper (2006) to the MSP Directive Proposal (2013), MSP processes based on the principle of EBM have been recognized as a necessary tool to ensure maritime sustainable development. Although ecosystem-based MSP has been recently presented as the best way to ensure both ecosystem conservation and development of human activities, most national and European MSP initiatives seem to follow a MSP approach focused in delivering blue growth. A challenge, therefore, arises: how to adjust policy decisions to properly preserve ecosystems and the services they provide? If truly implemented, an adaptive approach seems to be a way forward in ensuring that spatial planning, management and policy-making in marine spaces can be continuously adjusted, thus allowing for sustainability. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This section briefly describes the significant political initiatives and aas of legislation in the environmental field adopted from October 2012 until June 2013. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: As the first offshore marine protected area (MPA) designated in the United Kingdom (UK), the Darwin Mounds area of cold-water coral provides a unique opportunity for examining MPA governance in offshore waters, i.e. beyond the territorial sea (12 nautical miles (nm)) but within Exclusive Economic or Fishing Zones (EEZs or EFZs, out to 200nm). Whilst the Darwin Mounds Special Area of Conservation (SAC) represents a unique case study for offshore marine conservation, both in terms of circumstances and legal precedence, it also provides lessons for future MPA designations in offshore waters. As Member States of the European Union embark on Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) throughout their EEZs/EFZs, understanding the governance framework and potential opportunities and challenges in the offshore zone will become increasingly important for achieving marine conservation objectives in the face of competing economic interests and overlapping jurisdictions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The article will explore the way the fairly recent 2007 integrated maritime policy (IMP) of the European Union (EU) came into being and what kind of policy impacts it has had during its still short life-span. There are clear successes and challenges the IMP has confronted, calling for detailed analysis on why some actions outlined in the IMP have progressed and what type of consequences this has on the overall success of IMP. Because of its unique structure as a supra-national organization, the EU and its IMP is a prime example of how to conduct multilevel oceans governance—a form of governance that currently permeates all ocean areas—and can thus pioneer best practices to be shared across the world. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This paper examines the implications of environmental justice in the regime for Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) currently developing in the European Union (EU). An ‘ecosystem-based approach’ to marine management is enshrined in the new Integrated Maritime Policy and Marine Strategy Framework Directive and forms the basis of MSP. This concept is intended to encompass all aspects of an ecosystem, including the human element. Yet the modes of including meaningful public participation in the decision-making process for MSP remain undetermined. At the same time, the Aarhus Convention (on access to information, public participation in decision making and access to justice in environmental matters) empowers non-governmental organisations to hold EU Member States to account. Consequently the issue of transparency will gain increased importance, as will linkages between human and environmental rights. Such public interest-based activism on the part of NGOs has the potential to enforce the developing framework for stakeholder engagement within MSP, but it also has implications worth considering regarding the appropriate role of interest-based organisations in the international political arena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Launch of the Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union in 2007 served as important factor that stimulates consolidation of coastal and marine information to support policy implementation. Policy's action plan provides approaches for maritime governance, research and planning relevant to information. In particular, roadmap for maritime spatial planning stimulates development of coastal and marine GIS. Article reviews the current general status of coastal and marine systems and puts them in the context of the policy actions. Main focus is on formation of geospatial information platform for integrated assessment and ecosystem-based management of coastal and marine areas. Recent developments in data, indicator and information systems are summarized in European perspective: better characterization of maritime space and marine ecosystems, development of GMES Marine Core service and related in situ data collection; data harmonisation, interoperability and access, promoted by Shared Environmental Information System principles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The European Union has a legally-binding framework for the establishment of maritime spatial plans in the sea areas covered by the exclusive economic zones of its Member States by 2021. The European Commission is supporting EU Member States in their planning efforts with concrete tools and financing. The European Union is well positioned to use its experience and expertise in promoting international and transboundary maritime spatial planning to help address global and regional governance gaps and challenges in ocean management, thereby contributing to improved international ocean governance. In this paper, the European Commission's Bernhard Friess and Marie Grémaud-Colombier explain the EU's legal framework for maritime spatial planning, and elaborate on how the Commission supports EU Member States in the preparation of their maritime spatial plans and the establishment of lasting mechanisms for cross-border cooperation. They set out how the EU's MSP experience led to intensification of its work on international MSP, including with the adoption of the joint DG MARE – IOC-UNESCO Roadmap on International MSP which sets out a clear forward looking and global perspective towards implementing the Agenda 2030. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implementation of marine spatial plans as required by the Directive on Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) of the European Union (EU) poses novel demands for the development of decision support tools (DST). One fundamental aspect is the need for tools to guide decisions about the allocation of human activities at sea in ways that are ecosystem-based and lead to sustainable use of resources. The MSP Directive was the main driver behind the development of spatial and non-spatial DSTs for the analysis of marine and coastal areas across European seas. In this research we develop an analytical framework designed by DST software developers and managers for the analysis of six DSTs supporting MSP in the Baltic Sea, the North Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. The framework compares the main conceptual, technical and practical aspects, by which these DSTs contribute to advancing the MSP knowledge base and identified future needs for the development of the tools. Results show that all of the studied DSTs include elements to support ecosystem-based management at different geographical scales (from national to macro-regional), relying on cumulative effects assessment and functionalities to facilitate communication at the science-policy interface. Based on our synthesis we propose a set of recommendations for knowledge exchange in relation to further DST developments, mechanisms for sharing experience among the user-developer community, and actions to increase the effectiveness of the DSTs in MSP processes. [Display omitted] • Six decision-support instruments for MSP were analysed. • An analytical framework for analysing Decision Support Tools for MSP was developed. • Decision Support Tools are multi-objective by nature. • Cumulative effects assessment is the most recurrent tool. • Operational recommendations for further improvement of Decision Support Tools are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preliminary studies demonstrate the availability of significant renewable energy potential in Spanish waters. Its use could contribute to achieving the recently updated national objectives for the generation of clean energy in the future National Energy and Climate Plan 2021–2030. Despite the different initiatives that were unsuccessfully proposed at the end of the 2000s, the current implementation of blue energy is practically zero in Spain due to the characteristics of the marine space, which limits the technical and economic viability of the projects. There are other factors, such as a complex regulatory framework, inadequate administrative processes, limited availability of information as well as social rejection of this type of facility. Like other Member States of the European Union, Spain is currently developing a process of maritime spatial planning (MSP) that should be concluded, according to RD 363/2017, with the approval of a maritime spatial plan (POEM) for each of the five existing marine demarcations. This planning will have consequences for the uses and activities of the marine environment, including marine renewable energies. It also provides an opportunity to address existing non-technical barriers and promote the deployment of blue energy facilities. This investigation studies the MSP landscape in Spain from a holistic perspective and analyzes the repercussions of future POEMs in the offshore wind sector and other marine renewable energies. It concludes by proposing a set of recommendations, based on previous experiences in other regions, aimed at facilitating the integration of clean energy policies in the future uses of this marine space. • Some MSP related factors hinder marine renewable energies development in Spain. • MSP in Spain could contribute to the deployment of blue energy in different ways. • POEMs should prioritize MRE objectives with an increased institutional coordination. • Better public participation, data availability and simpler permit process are needed. • EU experiences could guide achieving Spanish blue energy goals through MSP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last decade, the accelerated transition towards cleaner means of producing energy has been clearly prioritised by the European Union through large-scale planned deployment of wind farms in the North Sea. From a spatial planning perspective, this has not been a straight-forward process, due to substantial spatial conflicts with the traditional users of the sea, especially with fisheries and protected areas. In this article, we examine the availability of offshore space for wind farm deployment, from a transnational perspective, while taking into account different options for the management of the maritime area through four scenarios. We applied a mixed-method approach, combining expert knowledge and document analysis with the spatial visualisation of existing and future maritime spatial claims. Our calculations clearly indicate a low availability of suitable locations for offshore wind in the proximity of the shore and in shallow waters, even when considering its multi-use with fisheries and protected areas. However, the areas within 100 km from shore and with a water depth above –120 m attract greater opportunities for both single use (only offshore wind farms) and multi-use (mainly with fisheries), from an integrated planning perspective. On the other hand, the decrease of energy targets combined with sectoral planning result in clear limitations to suitable areas for offshore wind farms, indicating the necessity to consider areas with a water depth below –120 m and further than 100 km from shore. Therefore, despite the increased costs of maintenance and design adaptation, the multi-use of space can be a solution for more sustainable, stakeholder-engaged and cost-effective options in the energy deployment process. This paper identifies potential pathways, as well as challenges and opportunities for future offshore space management with the aim of achieving the 2050 renewable energy targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]