Key issues for a transboundary and ecosystem-based maritime spatial planning in the Bay of Biscay

Diversification and intensification of maritime activities can create competition for marine space and can derive stress and environmental pressures. Therefore, all dynamics of marine environment should be considered in transboundary planning in line with an ecosystem-based maritime spatial planning (EB-MSP). Mobility of human activities across borders and ecological conditions in the Bay of Biscay make it essential to enhance cross-border regulations, strategies and cooperation to ensure coherence across biogeographical boundaries and to use common knowledge. This research aims to identify the key issues and challenges in order to raise recommendations for a transboundary EB-MSP in the Bay of Biscay, for achieving socio-economic and environmental objectives based on a holistic vision of economic, environmental and social settings, and present management practices. In order to reach this objective; settings of the area with economic, environmental and social dynamics were drawn, existing MSFD program of measures and conservation practices, as well as measurable objectives were analysed, and critical issues with recommendations for planning and implementation phases were emphasised. The results indicate that program of measures of France and Spain focused on the similar concerns, however both countries followed different methods. Accordingly, recommendations could be drawn on key six topics such as space conflict, offshore structures, joint risk assessment, marine litter, measures and objectives and cross-border governance. Hence, this research concludes that there are different objectives for the same marine regions from two countries, and it is significant to integrate process leaders, working groups and responsible regional authorities to achieve coherent and efficient transboundary EB-MSP.