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Thorough comprehension of the perceptions of offshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) by different local social actors is lacking, especially in developing countries. This study aims to analyze the perceptions and socioeconomic characteristics of divers and artisanal fishers of an offshore MPA, located in Brazilian waters. Data on the perceptions, conflicts, and management of the MPA were gathered through questionnaires and interviews with local actors. The results show that scuba divers and fishers consider the MPA to be very important for biodiversity. They also consider their collaboration in participative management to be of considerable importance, even though they do not form part of the administration. For local actors, the area helps foster the preservation of the marine environment and benefits recreational diving, tourism, and artisanal fishery in local communities. Divers and fishers use the resources and space of the offshore area differently, which results in diverging perceptions and conflicts. Divers propose restricted protection (No-Take Zones), while fishers propose that the MPA should be used exclusively by the poor local communities for artisanal fishing. Conflicts arising from inefficient public administration (lack of environmental zoning, management plans, and participative management) and illegal use of the MPA were also identified. Data stemming from the local actors themselves are central to reducing the conflicts and improving public policies on offshore marine conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cumulative human impacts have led to the degradation of marine ecosystems and the decline of biodiversity in the European and contiguous seas. Effective conservation measures are urgently needed to reverse these trends. Conservation must entail societal choices, underpinned by human values and worldviews that differ between the countries bordering these seas. Social, economic and political heterogeneity adds to the challenge of balancing conservation with sustainable use of the seas. Comprehensive macro-regional coordination is needed to ensure effective conservation of marine ecosystems and biodiversity of this region. Under the European Union Horizon 2020 framework programme, the MarCons COST action aims to promote collaborative research to support marine management, conservation planning and policy development. This will be achieved by developing novel methods and tools to close knowledge gaps and advance marine conservation science. This action will provide support for the development of macroregional and national policies through six key actions: to develop tools to analyse cumulative human impacts; to identify critical scientific and technical gaps in conservation efforts; to improve the resilience of the marine environment to global change and biological invasions; to develop frameworks for integrated conservation planning across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments; to coordinate marine conservation policy across national boundaries; and to identify effective governance approaches for marine protected area management. Achieving the objectives of these actions will facilitate the integration of marine conservation policy into macro-regional maritime spatial planning agendas for the European and contiguous seas, thereby offsetting the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of the marine renewable energy (MRE) will impact traditional users of the marine resource, such as commercial fishermen. This could potentially lead to opposition and spatial conflict. The successful development of the MRE sector will heavily depend on the acceptance of projects by fishing communities. Effective stakeholder engagement is crucial to enhancing acceptance among fishermen. The consultation process is one of the key ways in which to engage fishermen and enable them to participate in decision-making. There is agreement among experts in the field that despite its importance, the consultation process is not effective and it is often carried out from the top down with little opportunity for real participation. A mixed methods research approach was used to examine the experiences of fishermen on their level of involvement in consultations and decision-making on marine renewable energy projects. In total, 104 surveys and 14 in-depth interviews were carried out with fishermen operating from ports at three case study sites around the island of Ireland where MRE projects were being developed. Just over half (56%) of those surveyed felt that they had been involved in consultations, while only 22% felt that they had been involved in decisions made on the projects. The use of participatory mapping tools in the selection of sites for MRE development provides an opportunity for fishermen to influence decisions. Designing and implementing marine spatial plans could also help to provide clarity and transparency over how trade-offs in the use of sea space are dealt with. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five major uses of sea space in the Russian sector of the southeastern Baltic Sea (SEBS) are navigation, fishery, mining, recreation, and military uses. A brief description of each existing and future marine space user as well as conflicts between them are presented in this study. The total area of each use was calculated. The most extensive zones are occupied by commercial fishery and military uses, which cover almost the entire exclusive economical zone. Special attention was made for potential marine protected areas (especially in offshore areas of the Curonian Spit, which is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List), which are not under legislation of the Kaliningrad Oblast' but require a particular defence. The area offshore of the western coast has the greatest economic activity and is the most vulnerable part of the open sea. Future intensification of the marine space use will result in increased negative load to the marine environment. Sustainable development concept and maritime spatial planning are declarative at the state level for many years, there is still no implementation mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper addresses the sensitivity of a novel method for quantifying the environmental risks associated with the current-driven transport of adverse impacts released from offshore sources (e.g. ship traffic) with respect to the spatial resolution of the underlying hydrodynamic model. The risk is evaluated as the probability of particles released in different sea areas hitting the coast and in terms of the time after which the hit occurs (particle age) on the basis of a statistical analysis of large sets of 10-day long Lagrangian trajectories calculated for 1987-1991 for the Gulf of Finland, the Baltic Sea. The relevant 2D maps are calculated using the OAAS model with spatial resolutions of 2, 1 and 0.5 nautical miles (nm) and with identical initial, boundary and forcing conditions from the Rossby Centre 3D hydrodynamic model (RCO, Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute). The spatially averaged values of the probability and particle age display hardly any dependence on the resolution. They both reach almost identical stationary levels (0.67-0.69 and ca 5.3 days respectively) after a few years of simulations. Also, the spatial distributions of the relevant fields are qualitatively similar for all resolutions. In contrast, the optimum locations for fairways depend substantially on the resolution, whereas the results for the 2 nm model differ considerably from those obtained using finer-resolution models. It is concluded that eddy-permitting models with a grid step exceeding half the local baroclinic Rossby radius are suitable for a quick check of whether or not any potential gain from this method is feasible, whereas higher-resolution simulations with eddy-resolving models are necessary for detailed planning. The asymptotic values of the average probability and particle age are suggested as an indicator of the potential gain from the method in question and also as a new measure of the vulnerability of the nearshore of water bodies to offshore traffic accidents.

The article describes the motives, objectives and findings of preparing a perspective for territorial development of the Baltic Sea Region and discusses issues related to its implementation. Particular attention is paid to Northwest Russia and Kaliningrad region. Promoting innovation clusters, metropolitan networks and urban-rural partnerships, improving accessibility as well as enhancing maritime spatial planning and management are key issues to be solved in transnational cooperation

The article describes the motives, objectives and findings of preparing a perspective for territorial development of the Baltic Sea Region and discusses issues related to its implementation. Particular attention is paid to Northwest Russia and Kaliningrad region. Promoting innovation clusters, metropolitan networks and urban-rural partnerships, improving accessibility as well as enhancing maritime spatial planning and management are key issues to be solved in transnational cooperation.

The multiple anthropogenic threats to marine ecosystems and the increasing spatial conflicts in the Adriatic-Ionian Region (AIR) require transnational, integrated and efficient planning of coastal and marine spaces at macro-regional level. This research presents the Geoportal of the Adriatic-Ionian Region (GAIR), a common platform for information, data and decision support tools for ocean planning in the Adriatic-Ionian sea space. The GAIR is an open source platform; it supports co-production of MSP-relevant knowledge based on 12 databases, portals and tools developed within a set of European projects supporting the implementation of the European Strategy for the AIR (EUSAIR). The study presents the GAIR's software architecture, its technological stack and the seven integrated geospatial tools. A case study of the tool presents its user workflow and main outputs. The paper concludes with an evaluation of the GAIR with respect to MSP, Sustainable Blue Economy and the implementation of the EUSAIR Action Plan. [Display omitted] • The GAIR is an open source platform for MSP in the Adriatic-Ionian Region. • The technological stack adopts Free and Open Source (FOSS) principles. • 7 geospatial tools for single and multi-sectoral analysis were developed. • The platform is tested for cumulative effects assessment in Emilia Romagna Region. • The design of the platform supports data-sharing and transnational cooperation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of Green Infrastructure (GI) can facilitate integration of ecological considerations and ecosystem service mapping into spatial planning. GI has been introduced in EU policy as a key tool for implementing the objectives of the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2020 on halting the loss of biodiversity as well as addressing other global environmental problems. Unlike terrestrial ecosystems, mapping of marine GI is still in infancy. Here, application of GI concept in mapping was developed and tested for a large marine region, the Baltic Sea, using existing regional spatial data sets on the distribution of different ecosystem components. Using a qualitative valuation approach, experts assessed 36 marine ecosystem components with respect to their relevance for six ecological value criteria and ten ecosystem services. Then, maps representing the ecological value of Baltic Sea ecosystems and their potential supply of ecosystem services were developed based on a hierarchical aggregation structure, designed to avoid double-counting of features that appeared in many data layers. Finally, results of the ecological value and ecosystem service supply mapping were integrated into the marine GI map. These pioneering results are used to discuss how marine GI mapping can support the ecosystem-based approach in MSP, by improving the knowledge base on the roles and connectedness of ecosystem components. Applied at the transboundary regional scale, as here, the GI concept can support cross-border coherence in spatial planning and provide practical management solutions to improve connectivity and functioning of MPA networks, or develop sustainable planning solutions of marine space. • A concept for marine green infrastructure mapping was developed. • The systematic, data-driven approach was applied at the scale of a marine region. • Results reveal areas of high ecological value and ecosystem service potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) is a process increasingly utilized to allocate space for human activities to support sustainable development of marine areas. Maritime cultural heritage (MCH) is often overlooked within the MSP framework since it is not often readily defined within a given space and, therefore, not mapped. However, MCH holds particular value for regional communities, representing their history and legacy. In addition, MCH offers ideal opportunities for the development of local/regional blue economy initiatives (e.g., sustainable tourism). Therefore, the successful development and implementation of MSP processes requires the active engagement of local communities and the consideration of their MCH. In the light of the process developed in Estonia, we assessed how cultural heritage and in particular, its intangible form, can be integrated into MSP. Stakeholder engagement was used to conduct cultural mapping and knowledge co-production which resulted in 'county portraits', a unique approach to strengthen the potential of MCH and dependent human activities and to promote its future consideration in MSP process. The findings demonstrate that the EU Directive on MSP offers opportunities for coastal EU Member States to customize their MSP and use innovative solutions for the explicit incorporation of the MCH. Furthermore, inclusion of MCH could be framed as a way to broaden the appeal of MSP and the MSP process to become more inclusive of diverse values and communities. • Maritime cultural heritage (MCH) is often overlooked in Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) despite ways to include it. • A hybrid approach using county portraits in MSP could create more value for application to blue economy and tourism. • The EU Directive on MSP allows for Member States to customize their MSP approach to a great extent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oceans and seas represent over 70% of the earth's surface. Furthermore, living aquatic resources can provide a significant contribution to food, energy and bio-based products. However, marine ecosystems are subject to increasing pressures and competing usages, resulting from resources over-exploitation and pollution. In order to produce efficient marine management plans, it is essential to consider the total economic value provided by the marine ecosystems. In this review, we are focusing on the Marine Framework Strategy Directive and the European Marine Spatial Planning that are established for the protection and efficient use of the marine area. We present the ecosystem services approach with regards to the marine ecosystem and propose economic methods that capture the marine ecosystem’s total economic value in relation to the opportunity cost of marine space. Values should be used to guide policy makers following the European directives and initiatives.

The delimitation of maritime zones and boundaries foreseen by the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea is a factor of economic growth, effective management of the coastal and ocean environment and the cornerstone for maritime spatial planning. Maritime boundaries form the outermost limits of coastal states and their accurate computation is a matter of national priority. The final delimitation agreement is ultimately a political decision; however the cartographer/GIS expert should portray the zones’ limits with the best possible accuracy. Existing applications tend to address this issue with their weakness being that the delimitation is a complex and time-consuming process. There, the subject is addressed in a fragmented way with the user composing the outer limits from partial results. This paper presents a cohesive methodology for the automated delimitation of the median lines and maritime zones between all states in a region based on the Voronoi tessellation of maritime space. Furthermore, through a case study, it presents and evaluates the results of this methodology and its implementation and demonstrates its ability to delimit the zones and boundaries, unilaterally and bilaterally, without the user’s intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical, chemical and biological characteristics of seawaters are primary descriptors for understanding environmental patterns and improving maritime spatial planning for potential aquaculture uses. By analyzing these descriptors in spatial and temporal dimensions, it is possible to characterize the potential productivity performances of different locations for specific aquaculture species. We developed a toolbox that, starting from the actual competing uses of the maritime space, aims at: (a) identifying sites with conditions feasible for aquaculture fish growth (feasibility scenario); and (b) assessing their different productivity performances in terms of potential fish harvest (suitability scenario). The toolbox is being designed in the Mediterranean, northern Adriatic Sea, but because of its modularity/multi-stage process, it can be easily adapted to other areas, or scaled to larger areas. The toolbox, representing a pre-operational Copernicus downstreaming service that integrates data and products from different sources (in situ, Earth Observation and modeling), is innovative because it is based more on parameters relevant for fish vitality than on those oriented to farm functioning. Stakeholders and farmers involved in the maritime spatial planning can use resulting scenarios for decision-making and market-trading processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferreira, M.A.; Johnson, D.; and Pereira da Silva, C., 2016. Measuring success of Ocean governance: a set of indicators from Portugal. In: Vila-Concejo, A.; Bruce, E.; Kennedy, D.M., and McCarroll, R.J. (eds.), Proceedings of the 14th International Coastal Symposium (Sydney, Australia). Journal of Coastal Research, Special Issue, No. 75, pp. 982 - 986. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. Evaluating the success of marine spatial planning (MSP) remains a challenging task. Portugal, one of the world's largest maritime nations, with its recent ocean governance framework, is an ideal case study for the development of an evaluation mechanism for MSP. This paper presents a brief characterization of Portugal's maritime area and of its legal regime, and a methodology for defining and selecting a set of indicators to evaluate MSP once it has been operational for a number of years. The resulting set of indicators is discussed, as are prospects for their development and generalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the complete human influence on maritime space has the central position in the planning process. Maritime spatial planning logically connects on integral planning of coastal area. Applying integral management on coastal and maritime area, together with the establishment of the process of maritime spatial planning makes the coupling regarding managing of the resources; all that is directed to the existence of sustainable development. Maritime spatial planning (MSP) is the process of analyzing and separating spatial and temporal divisions of human activities in the maritime area. Croatia, even though it is extremely maritime country, has not yet established complete legal framework for setting up MSP. This paper analyzes European legal framework for implementation of MSP process in Croatia. It provides the overview of the accomplishments achieved until today, as well as achievements of the Republic of Croatia during establishing legal and institutional framework for establishment and implementation of maritime spatial planning. The overview of application of MSP in European practice is specially presented. The purpose of the paper is to analyze the growing needs for maritime space and the manners of amortization of its unorganized use. The goal of this paper is to point on the importance of adopting legal regulations regarding MSP and their practical application. Efficient management and protection of natural resources is specially emphasized, all for the purpose of reducing conflicts in maritime areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The providing of activities in the sea areas is associated with ensuring security environment and safety. Much of the safety activities are serving security purposes. The vice versa is also possible and the activities could be complementary. Therefore, this requires examining the system of safety as composed of two complementary components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Under an increasing maritime transport in the Baltic Sea, and especially in the Gulf of Finland, the possibility of environmental harm and accidents due to shipping pressure is growing. To counteract increasing risks, adequate measures for accident prevention and mitigation of environmental consequences are critically important. The Gulf of Finland Mandatory Ship Reporting System (GOFREP) is a the complex socio-technical maritime transport safety management system that has been in efficient operation since 2004 and it is open to further improvement and development. However, environmental safety is not explicitly covered by the GOFREP so far. According to our working hypothesis, the Systems Theoretic Accident Models and Processes (STAMP) can be extended beyond the area of socio-technical system safety into realm of complex eco-socio-technical systems safety. This paper attempts to demonstrate the conceptual potential of STAMP based on adaptive management of the Maritime Spatial Planning processes and integrated safety management of eco-socio-technical maritime transport system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, many studies have evaluated the effects of anthropogenic acoustic disturbance on marine organisms. Sounds associated with shipping, seismic surveys, sonar, and many other such sources induce several types of effect on fish and marine mammals. In this regard, the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive 2008/56/EC has not only defined underwater acoustic noise as “the intentional or accidental introduction of acoustic energy in the water column from impulsive and diffuse sources”, but has also expressly identified it as a form of pollution. In 2014, the first Italian proposal has been defined with the aim of developing a widespread monitoring plan for sub-regions in European Union waters with respect to two different sub-programs concerning impulsive (Descriptor 11.1) and continuous low frequency (Descriptor 11.2) sounds. The objective of Marine Strategy Framework Directive is the implementation of a recording system for temporal-spatial data regarding impulsive sound sources arising from anthropogenic activities. The pressure, for Descriptor 11.1, is measured by evaluating the source level, or a suitable proxy for anthropogenic sound sources, measured over the frequency band 10 Hz–10 kHz (and up to 40 kHz for cetacean detection), that could have an impact on marine organisms. The Descriptor 11.2 would monitor trends in the ambient noise level within the 1/3 octave bands 63 and 125 Hz (centre frequency) (re 1 μΡa RMS; average noise level in these octave bands over a year) via observation stations. This monitoring plan aims to obtain noise maps of sea regions for the frequency band 10 Hz–10 kHz (and up to 40 kHz for cetacean detection) by improving existing geophysical/acoustic observation stations, e.g. those of the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) and the National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN), as well as other medium- and long-term monitoring stations. The program also wants to define the level of damage caused by underwater noise, using underwater noise as an example to evaluate the impact of this type of noise on different marine organisms. Maritime spatial planning (MSP) and integrated coastal management (ICZM) have to employ an ecosystem-based approach that ensures the protection of the natural resources and provides the basis for carrying out the various monitoring activities. The Italian monitoring proposal on Descriptor 11 of Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) was used in order to analyze the strategic vision of the integrated maritime policy (IMP) between MSFD and MSP programs in terms of achieving Good Environmental Status (GES). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine ecosystems are impacted by multiple individual and combined anthropogenic pressures. We used meta-analysis and data-driven PlanWise4Blue decision support tool to predict individual and combined impacts of wind park development, nutrient loading, and invasive species on vulnerable reef and sandbank habitats and associated species-specific biotopes in the northeastern Baltic Sea. Many impacts were not statistically significant due to large between-study variance in effect sizes. Wind park development is predicted to have less impact than nutrient loading and invasive species. Predicted impacts varied greatly among larger-scale habitats versus smaller-scale biotopes with impacts being generally stronger at small scale. Excessive nutrient loading damages algae-based biotopes, the presence of nonnative species has substantial negative impacts on larger-scale reef and sandbank habitats. The results showed that a 25 % reduction of nutrient loading improves all examined benthic habitats, whereas nonnative species, which cannot be removed from ecosystems, pose a significant threat to these habitats. • The predicted human-induced impacts are weaker at large scales than small scales. • Excessive eutrophication causes a permanent habitat loss on benthic environments more than any other studied human pressure. • Substantial nutrient reduction will result in a significant increase in the areal coverage of valuable benthic habitats. • Wind park development exhibited the lowest impacts on the studied benthic habitats. • Cumulative impact assessments should be based on scientific information that is expanding and can be systematically searched. [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]