The Directive on Maritime Spatial Planning

The Directive on Maritime Spatial

Planning

Marie Colombier DG MARE, European Commission

27 January 2016

Malmo

Reduce conflicts on access to maritime space

Reduce cumulative impact of maritime activities on the environment

Reduce co-ordination costs for public authorities

Improve certainty and predictability for private investments

Why is MSP a priority for Europe?

Geographical coverage

MSP: Marine waters cover coastal waters, territorial sea and EEZ.

Timing

September 2014: Entry into force

2016: Transposition and Competent Authorities

2021: Establishment of plans in all marine waters of MS

Obligations of the MSP Directive

Set-up the plans

Set up maritime spatial plans which identify the spatial and temporal distribution of existing and future activities, uses in the marine waters (cross-border)

Set up Competent Authorities

Public participation

Public information from an early stage and participation of relevant stakeholders, authorities, and public concerned

Objectives of Maritime Spatial Plans

1. Apply an ecosystem-based approach

2. Contribute to the preservation, protection and improvement of the environment

3. Contribute to the sustainable development of:

energy sectors at sea

maritime transport

fisheries and aquaculture

4. Member States can pursue additional objectives (tourism, raw materials)

5. Promote the co-existence of relevant activities and uses

MSP/MSFD Areas of joint interest

MSFD

MSP WFD

More efficient & sustainable management of marine resources

• Ecosystem based approach • "Land/sea interactions" • Sound data for decision

making • Data exchange &

management • Engagement of stakeholders • Cross-border cooperation

Key requirements of the MSPD

1. Involve stakeholders 2. Develop cross-border cooperation 3. Apply an ecosystem-based approach 4. Use the best available data and share information 5. Take into account land-sea interaction 6. Promote the coexistence of activities 7. Review plans at least every 10 years

MSP Directive Implementation Support Strategy

Objectives

Tools: transposition/ expert group/ assistance mechanism

Priorities : cross-sectoral cooperation cross-border cooperation

Assistance Mechanism for the Implementation of Maritime Spatial Planning

Launched !

Technical support for Member States Generate and disseminate practical information and gather

best practices. Create and manage a MSP website Focal Points for the different Sea-basins to be able to answer

Member States/NGOs/Industries' questions at short notice. Advise on the use of EU financial instruments and bring project

partners together

Studies : conduct technical studies to reduce knowledge gaps. 2016 study: evaluation of data and knowledge gaps to

implement MSP.

Cross-border cooperation

Cooperation between Member States

Member States sharing a sea should cooperate to ensure that their MSP are coherent and coordinated

Means of cooperation are left to Member States to decide.

Cooperation with third countries

Cooperate with third countries on their actions with regard to maritime spatial planning (where geopolitically possible).

Previous projects

2008-2010 Building knowledge base on cross-border planning

2010-2014

Building concrete expertise on cross-border planning through pilot projects

2014 -2021

Implementing the Directive

On-going projects: Baltic Scope, SimCelt, MarsPlan On-going calls:Atlantic, East and west Mediterranean

Thank you for your attention Marie.COLOMBIER@ec.europa.eu More background information at: http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/policy/maritime_spatial_planning/index_en.htm