Recommendations and guidelines to support common

Co-fundedbytheEuropeanMaritimeandFisheriesFundoftheEuropeanUnion. AgreementEASME/EMFF/2015/1.2.1.3/01/S12.742087–SUPREME

Recommendations and guidelines to support common understanding and integration of Barcelona Convention principles in MSP activities with a focus on EU Member States within

marine waters of the Adriatic, Ionian, Aegean and Levantine Seas

Deliverable No 1.1.2

ProjectFulltitle SupportingmaritimespatialPlanningintheEasternMediterranean(SUPREME)

ProjectAcronym SUPREME

GrantAgreementNo. AgreementEASME/EMFF/2015/1.2.1.3/01/S12.742087–SUPREME

Coordinator Dr.PierpaoloCampostrini

Projectstartdateandduration 01/01/2017–31/12/2018

Projectwebsite http://www.msp-supreme.eu/

DeliverableNo. 1.1.2 DeliverableDate May2018

Status:Final(F)/Draft(D)/Reviseddraft(RV) F

Tasknumber C1.1.2

TasknumberTitle

Ensuringregion-widecoherence,buildingontheBarcelonaConventionanditsProtocols,processes,decisions,inrelationtothedefinitionandapplicationofMSPinasystematicmanner

ResponsibleInstitute(acronym) PAP/RAC

Coordination MarinaMarković,ŽeljkaŠkaričić

Authors EmilianoRamieri,DanielaAddis,AthenaMourmouris

ContributionsBraida,M.,Celli,A.,Montanaro,O.(IMELS)AvgerinouKolonias,S.(NTUA)Antoniadis,S.,Hema,T.(UNEnvironment/MAP)

Editing Pavasović,S.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

TheworkdescribedinthisreportwassupportedbytheEuropeanMaritimeandFisheriesFundoftheEuropeanUnion–throughtheGrantAgreementEASME/EMFF/2015/1.2.1.3/01/S12.742087–SUPREME,correspondingtotheCallforproposalEASME/EMFF/2015/1.2.1.3forProjectsonMaritimeSpatialPlanning(MSP).

DISCLAIMER

Thisdocumentreflectsonlytheauthors’viewsandnotthoseoftheEuropeanUnion.ThisworkmayrelyondatafromsourcesexternaltotheSUPREMEprojectConsortium.MembersoftheConsortiumdonotacceptliabilityforlossordamagesufferedbyanythirdpartyasaresultoferrorsorinaccuraciesinsuchdata.TheuserthereofusestheinformationatitssoleriskandneithertheEuropeanUnionnoranymemberoftheSUPREMEConsortium,areliableforanyusethatmaybemadeoftheinformation.

ThedesignationsemployedandthepresentationofmaterialinthepresentdocumentdonotimplytheexpressionofanyopiniononthepartoftheUNEnvironment/MAPBarcelonaConventionSecretariatconcerningthelegalstatusofanycountry,territory,area,cityorareaorofitsauthorities,orconcerningthedelimitationofitsfrontiersorboundaries.Thedepictionanduseofboundaries,geographicnamesandrelateddatashownonmapsincludedinthepresentdocumentarenotwarrantedtobeerrorfreenordotheyimplyofficialendorsementoracceptancebyUNEnvironment/MAPBarcelonaConventionSecretariat.TheUNEnvironment/MAPBarcelonaConventionSecretariatisnotaccountableforthedataandcannotguaranteethattheyarecorrect,accurateorcomprehensive.

TableofContents

ListofAcronyms.......................................................................................................................................................iListofFigures...........................................................................................................................................................iiListofTables............................................................................................................................................................iiListofBoxes.............................................................................................................................................................ii

Foreword......................................................................................................................................................1

1. Introduction............................................................................................................................................31.1 Geographicalscopeofthestudy.....................................................................................................................31.2 AboutMediterraneanSeawithafocusontheEasternMediterranean.........................................................4

2. MSPintheMediterraneantodate.........................................................................................................8

3. MSPundertheBarcelonaConvention..................................................................................................123.1 Legalandpolicyframe..................................................................................................................................123.2 UnitedNationsConventionontheLawoftheSea.......................................................................................16

3.2.1ApplicationofUNCLOSintheEasternMediterranean...........................................................................................163.2.2TheExclusiveEconomicZones................................................................................................................................17

3.3 CurrentpolicyinitiativesregardingMSPintheframeworkofBC.................................................................233.4 The2030AgendaforSustainableDevelopmentanditsSustainableDevelopmentGoals..................................253.5 TransboundarycooperationinMSPintheMediterranean..........................................................................263.6 Ecosystem-basedApproach..........................................................................................................................27

4. KeyissuesimportanttoMSPimplementationintheEasternMediterranean.....................................324.1 UNEnvironment/MAP’sEcosystemApproach.............................................................................................324.2 LinkstoICZM.................................................................................................................................................334.3 Adaptiveapproach........................................................................................................................................334.4 Cross-bordercooperationandmulti-scaleapproachtoMSP.......................................................................344.5 Integration.....................................................................................................................................................354.6 Stakeholderinvolvement..............................................................................................................................354.7 Project-basedinitiativesandMSPpractices.................................................................................................354.8 Dataavailabilityandaccessibility..................................................................................................................354.9 SpecificissuesidentifiedwithintheInitialAssessment................................................................................36

4.9.1Typesofconflicts–Potentialforsynergies............................................................................................................364.9.2Governance–Institutionalissues...........................................................................................................................364.9.3Transboundarycooperation...................................................................................................................................37

5. SUPREMEproposalsontheintegrationofprinciplesoftheBarcelonaConventionfortheMSPimplementation.....................................................................................................................................395.1 UNEnvironment/MAP’sEcosystemApproach.............................................................................................405.2 LinkstoICZM.................................................................................................................................................415.3 Adaptiveapproach........................................................................................................................................425.4 Cross-bordercooperationandmulti-scaleapproachtoMSP.......................................................................425.5 Integration.....................................................................................................................................................435.6 Stakeholdersinvolvement.............................................................................................................................445.7 Project-basedinitiativesandMSPpractices.................................................................................................455.8 Dataavailabilityandaccessibility..................................................................................................................455.9 ToolsforEnvironmentalassessmentofMSP................................................................................................46

References..................................................................................................................................................48

i

ListofAcronyms

AII AdriaticandIonianInitiativeAPEIs AreasofParticularEnvironmentalInterestBC BarcelonaConventionBD BiologicalDiversityBOD BiochemicalOxygenDemandCBD ConventiononBiologicalDiversityCF ConceptualFrameworkCMS ConventionontheConservationofMigratorySpeciesofWildAnimalsCOP ConferenceoftheContractingPartiesCPs ContractingPartiesCRF CommonRegionalFrameworkDDT DichlorodiphenyltrichloroethaneEBA Ecosystem-BasedApproachEBSA EcologicallyorBiologicallySignificantMarineAreaEcAp EcosystemApproachEEZ ExclusiveEconomicZoneEFPZ EcologicalandFisheriesProtectionZoneEIA EnvironmentalImpactAssessmentEOs EcologicalObjectivesEPZ EcologicalProtectionZoneEU EuropeanUnionEUSAIR EUStrategyfortheAdriaticandIonianRegionFAO UnitedNationsFoodandAgricultureOrganizationFMSY MaximumsustainableyieldexploitationrateinfisheriesFPZ FisheriesProtectionZoneFZ FisheryZoneGES GoodEnvironmentalStatusGFCM GeneralFisheriesCommissionfortheMediterraneanGOBI GlobalOceanBiodiversityInitiativeGVA GrossValueAddedICCAT TheInternationalCommissionfortheConservationoftheAtlanticTunaICZM IntegratedCoastalZoneManagementIMAP IntegratedMonitoringandAssessmentProgrammeIMCAM IntegratedMarineandCoastalAreaManagementIMMAs ImportantMarineMammalAreasIMO InternationalMaritimeOrganizationIPCC IntergovernmentalPanelonClimateChangeISA InternationalSeabedAuthorityIUCN InternationalUnionforConservationofNatureIUU Illegal,UnreportedandUnregulated(fishing)KBAs KeyBiodiversityAreasLBS Land-BasedSources(ofpollution)LSIs Land-SeaInteractionsMAB ManandtheBiosphereProgrammeMAP MediterraneanActionPlanMedWet MediterraneanWetlandsRegionalInitiativeMEPC MarineEnvironmentProtectionCommitteeMPA MarineProtectedAreaMSFD MarineStrategyFrameworkDirectiveMS MemberStateMSP Marine/MaritimeSpatialPlanning

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MTS Mid-TermStrategyMWO MediterraneanWetlandObservatoryNFPs NationalFocalPointsPAP/RAC PriorityActionsProgrammeRegionalActivityCentrePEFZ ProtectedEcological-FisheryZonePoW ProgrammeofWorkRFMOs RegionalFisheriesManagementOrganizationsSDG SustainableDevelopmentGoalsSDI SpatialDataInfrastructureSPA/RAC SpeciallyProtectedAreasRegionalActivityCentreRAC RegionalActivityCentreRSCs RegionalSeasConventionsSDGs SustainableDevelopmentGoalsSDIMED SpatialDataInfrastructureoftheMediterraneanSEA StrategicEnvironmentalAssessmentTEIA Trans-boundaryEnvironmentalImpactAssessmentTEU TreatyonEuropeanUnionUNCLOS UnitedNationsConventionoftheLawoftheSeaUNEP UnitedNationsEnvironmentProgrammeUNESCO-IOC UnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganisation–Intergovernmental

OceanographicCommissionUNEnvironment/WCMC TheWorldConservationMonitoringCentreoftheUnitedNationsEnvironmentProgrammeVASAB VisionandStrategiesaroundtheBalticSea(Helcom-VASABMSP)VMEs VulnerableMarineEcosystems

ListofFigures

Figure1: TheEastern(redlines)andtheWestern(bluelines)Mediterranean..........................................................4Figure2: TheAnnotatedStructureoftheCRMforICZM..........................................................................................23Figure3: CalendaroftheEcApimplementationprocess.Source:SPA/RACwebsite...............................................30Figure4: KeyissuescomposingacommonframeforMSPimplementationintheEasternMediterraneansub-

basin...........................................................................................................................................................39

ListofTables

Table1: Importanceoftheblueeconomyinthe12countriesconsideredbythestudy.Source:(EUNETMAR,2014)..........................................................................................................................5

Table2: CurrentandfutureconflictsbetweenactivitiesintheSUPREMEArea.......................................................6Table3: GESandtargetsadoptedbyCOP18,UNEP(DEPI)/MEDIG.21/9–DecisionIG.21/3

Source:SPA/RACwebsite...........................................................................................................................29Table4: Transboundaryissues,asreportedintheInitialAssessment.Source:(SUPREME,2017).........................37

ListofBoxes

Box1: GeographicalscopeofMSP........................................................................................................................13Box2: RelevantActionPlansthatneedtobetakenintoaccountfortheimplementationofMSPbytheCPs.

Source:www.unep.org/unepmap/action-plans........................................................................................15Box3: LegalinstrumentscomplementarytoUNCLOS..........................................................................................19

SUPREMEDeliverableNo.1.1.2

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Foreword

Thepreparationofthisdocumentoverlapswiththeparallelactivityandpreparationofthedocument„RecommendationstosupportcommonunderstandingonaregionalscaleonMSP,includingsynergicimplementationofregionallyrelevantpolicyinstruments”,undertakenwithintheframeworkofSIMWESTMEDproject.

Performingandfinalisationoftheseoutputswasundertakenandpresentedinasynergicway,fortheoverallbenefitofSUPREMEandSIMWESTMEDprojectpartners.


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1. Introduction

1.1Geographicalscopeofthestudy

IntheframeworkofBarcelonaConvention(BC),generallyconsidered,theEasternMediterraneanisawideareaofapproximately1.7millionkm2thathashighlyvariedphysiographiccharacter.ItincludestheStraitofSicily,theAdriaticSea,theIonianSea,theLevantineBasin,andtheAegeanSea.Inaddition,forpracticalreasonsandtheuniquepurposeoftheInitialIntegratedAssessmentoftheMediterraneanSea(2012)1,inlinewiththeEcosystemApproach(EcAp),RoadmaptheContractingParties(COP)havedefinedfoursub-regionsoftheMediterraneanSea(BarcelonaConventionCOP17DecisionIG.20/4AnnexI,presentingthe„SummaryforDecision-MakersoftheInitialIntegratedAssessmentoftheMediterraneanSeaandCoastalAreas”):

1. WesternMediterranean;

2. CentralMediterraneanandIoniansubregion;

3. AdriaticSea;and

4. EasternMediterranean(Aegean–Levantine).

AccordingtotheEASMECallfortender,theEasternMediterraneanincludes(Figure1):

§ theAdriaticSeaextendingfromtheStraitofOtrantotothesouth(whereitconnectstotheIonianSea)totheGulfofVenicetothenorth;

§ theIonianSea,lyingtothesouth/eastofItalyandwest-south/westofGreece;§ theAegeanSea,locatedbetweentheGreekandtheAnatolianpeninsulas;

§ theLevantineSea,extendingtothesouthoftheAnatoliapeninsula.ItisborderedbyTurkeyinthenorth,Syria,Lebanon,IsraelandtheGazaStripintheeast,Egyptand(partof)Libyainthesouth,andtheAegeanSeainthenorthwest.

BoththeEUandnon-EUcountrieshavecoastsontheEastMediterranean.TheEUcountriesareCroatia,Cyprus,Greece,ItalyandSlovenia.Thenon-EUcountriesareAlbania,Bosnia-Herzegovina,Montenegro(withcoastsontheAdriaticSea)andEgypt,Israel,Lebanon,Libya,Syria,Turkey(withcoastsontheAegeanand/orLevantineSeas).AllthesecountriesareContractingPartiestotheBarcelonaConvention.

Therefore,althoughthispaperelaboratesontheneedtointegratetheBCprinciplesintoMaritimeSpatialPlanning(MSP)activitiesintheEasternMediterranean,thegeographicalscopeitcoversdoesnotfullycorrespondtotheBCnotionoftheEasternMediterranean.Rather,thedocumenthasafocusontheEUmemberStateswithinmarinewatersoftheAdriatic,Ionian,AegeanandLevantineSeas,takingintoconsiderationsthecountriesofthesouthernrim,withinthered-linezoneindicatedintheFigure1.

1 Preparedtofulfilthestep3oftheUNEnvironment/MAPecosystemapproachprocess.Thedocumentisavailableathttp://www.rac-spa.org/sites/default/files/ecap/initial_integrated_assessement.pdf.


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Figure1:TheEastern(redlines)andtheWestern(bluelines)Mediterranean

1.2 AboutMediterraneanSeawithafocusontheEasternMediterranean

TheMediterraneanSeahasoftenbeencalledtheincubatorofWesterncivilization,tounderlineitsculturalandhistoricalsignificance.Thisregioncomprisesavastsetofcoastalandmarineecosystemsdeliveringvaluablebenefitstoitscoastalinhabitants(UNEnvironment/MAP,2012)andforming,togetherwithculturalandhistoricalassets,theessenceoftheMediterraneanbeauty.TheMediterraneanisnotonlycomplexinecology,butalsosocio-politicallyandeconomically;overthelastdecades,ithasfacedrapideconomicdevelopment,whichhasincreasedpressuresonthemarinespace,biologicalresourcesandecologicalhabitatsandprocesses.

InthetwelveEUandcandidateorpotentialcandidatecountriesoftheMediterranean(Croatia,Cyprus,France,Greece,Italy,Malta,Spain,SloveniaaswellasAlbania,BosniaandHerzegovina,Montenegro,andTurkey),thetotalgrossvalueadded(GVA)generatedbymaritimeeconomicactivitiesexceededEUR63billionin2010,i.e.morethanthreetimesthetotalGVAgeneratedbythesameactivitiesintheBalticSea(EUNETMAR,2014).Italy,GreeceandSpainrepresent81%ofthisactivity.Forthepurposeoftheanalysis,theEUNETMARstudyidentifiesthreesub-regions,providingapictureoftherelativeweightintermsofblueeconomy:WesternMediterranean(Spain,FranceandtheTyrrheniancoastofItaly)accountsforEUR27.1billion(intermsofGVA),followedbytheCentralMediterranean(AdriaticandIonian,includingMalta)withatotalofEUR19.3billion;theEasternMediterraneanregionconsideredbythestudy(AegeancoastofGreece,MediterraneancoastofTurkey,CyprusandMalta)totalsEUR16.9billion,i.e.27%ofthetotalGVAoftheblueeconomyintheMediterranean.AggregatingthisdataforthegeographicscopeoftheSUPREMEproject,GVAin2010accountsforEUR35.5billionwhichismorethan50%oftheMediterraneantotal(Table1).


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Table1:Importanceoftheblueeconomyinthe12countriesconsideredbythestudy.Source:(EUNETMAR,2014)

GVA(billionEUR) %total

IT 23.6 37%GR 16.7 26%ES 11.1 18%FR 4.4 7%TR 3.3 5%HR 1.5 2%CY 0.8 1%MT 0.7 1%AL 0.6 1%ME 0.5 1%SI 0.1 0%BA 0.0 0%

Total 63.3 100%

ThisfigureissurelyhigheriftheotherMediterraneancountriesaretakenintoconsideration.Accordingtothesamestudyquotedabove,coastaltourismandshipping(bothdeep-seaandshort-seashipping2)represent73%ofthistotalattheMediterraneanscale.

IntheEasternMediterraneancoastaltourismandmarineaquacultureareidentifiedasthemostpromisingandimportantmaritimeactivitiesinallthe9analysedcountries,followedbyshort-seashipping(Greece,Croatia,Italy,Montenegro,Turkey,Slovenia)andcruisetourism(Cyprus,Greece,Croatia,Italy,Slovenia,Turkey).Accordingtoquotesstudyshort-seashipping„emergedconsideringthegeographicalconfigurationofthebasin,withmanycountriesandalotofexchanges…,cruisetourismemergedbecauseoftheextraordinaryattractivenessofMediterraneancountriesandtheircoasts”.CoastaltourismandmaritimetransportarealsosignificanteconomicactivitiesfortheEuropeanNeighbourhoodPolicy’spartnercountriesanalysedbythesamestudy(Egypt,Israel,Palestine,Lebanon),withtheexceptionofPalestine.InEgyptandIsraeltourismismainlyconcentratedalongtheRedSea;theMediterraneanoffersanimportantdevelopmentopportunity,beinghowevernegativelyaffectedbythecurrentunstablegeo-politicalsituation.Oilandgasextractionisconsideredanotherpromisingactivityforallthefourcountries(therealuniqueopportunityforPalestineaccordingtothestudy),whileaquacultureseemstoassumeperspectiveasarealopportunityonlyforIsraelatthemoment.

AccordingtotheanalysiscarriedoutbytheMEDTRENDSproject(PianteandOdy,2015),exceptforprofessionalfisheries,allMediterraneanmaritimesectors(suchastourism,shipping,aquacultureandoffshoreoilandgas,etc.)areexpectedtokeepgrowingduringthecoming15years.Emergingsectors,suchasrenewableenergy,seabedminingandbiotechnologyareexpectedtogrowevenfaster,although

2 Theterm„short-seashipping”referstothehistoricaltermscoastaltrade,coastalshipping,coastingtradeandcoastwisetrade,whichencompassthemovementofcargoandpassengersmainlybyseaalongacoast,withoutcrossinganocean.Theterm„deep-seashipping”referstomaritimetrafficthatcrossesoceans.


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inabsolutetermstheywillbelessrelevantthanmoretraditionalusesalsointhefutureandthereisgreateruncertaintyontheirpossibleevolutionaswellasexpectedimpactsonmarineecosystems.

About36%oftheEUcoastalregions’populationsliveincoastalregionsborderingtheMediterranean.PopulationdensityishighestincoastalareaoftheNorthernandEasternMediterranean(PianteandOdy,2015).In2012,thenumberoftouristsvisitingtheMediterraneanrepresented30%ofthetotalworldtourists’numberandhalfofitwasconcentratedincoastalareas(PlanBleu,2014).

TheinitialassessmentundertakenwithintheSUPREMEproject(SUPREME,2017)confirmsthattheEasternMediterraneanareahasahighconcentrationofallmainmaritimeactivities.Inadditiontothesynergiesamongtheirdifferentuses,therearenumberofcompetitionsandconflictsamongthesesectors(Table2).

Table2:CurrentandfutureconflictsbetweenactivitiesintheSUPREMEArea

Thisaddsfurtherpressuresonthealreadystressedcoastalareas,exacerbatingtheprocessofcoastallittoralization.Marinehabitatdegradationandbiodiversitylossareduetoadiverserangeofhumanactivitieswhich,besidestourismandrecreationaluses,includefishery,shipping,seapollution,marinelitteringandoffshoreoilandgasdevelopment.Ontopofthis,climatechangeeffectsprovideadditionalpressuresonalreadystressedecosystems,habitatsandspecies(MedPAN,RAC-SPA,2016).

EventhoughinthelastyearssignificanteffortshavebeenmadetoimproveprotectionoftheMediterraneanbiodiversityandtheextensionofprotectedareas,achievementoftheConventiononBiologicalDiversity(CBD)AichiobjectiveNo.11(i.e.10%ofcoastalandmarineareascoveredthroughMarineProtectedAreas(MPAs)isfartobereached(PianteandOdy,2015).ThereisstillaclearunbalanceddistributionofMPAs,beingtheWesternMediterraneancharacterizedbyarelativebettersituationthantheEastern;theunbalanceisevenmoreevidentcomparingnorthernandsouthernareasofthebasin(largelyduetoEUNatura2000sitesandthePelagosSanctuaryformarinemammals).


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EcologicalcoherenceandconnectivityisstillagreatchallengeinparticularintheEasternMediterraneanandmostoftheMPAsarelocatedalongthecoast,withlimitedprotectionofopenseaareas.Moreover,forthemajorityofsites,thereisnotenoughknowledgeonimplementing„effectiveandequitablemanagement”(CBDAichiobjectiveNo.11)towardsthesite’sconservationtargets.Thiscallsforfurtherqualitativeimprovementswithregardsto,amongothers,legalframeworkandgovernance,stakeholderengagementandintegrationwithMSP(MedPAN,RAC-SPA,2016).


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2. MSPintheMediterraneantodate

MaritimeSpatialPlanning,comparedtoland-useplanning,isafairlynewandemergingprocessintheMediterraneanRegion.Ingeneral,theprocessisatitsinitialstageandishighlyinfluencedbydifferencesamongcountries,relatedinparticulartotheirinstitutionalandlegalframeworkandtosomeextenttotheavailabilityofreliableknowledgebase.WiththeadoptionoftheEUDirectiveonMaritimeSpatialPlanning(2014/89/EU),allcoastalEUMemberStatesarerequiredtopreparecross-sectoralmaritimespatialplansby2021aimedatpromotingthesustainablegrowthofmaritimeeconomies,thesustainabledevelopmentofmarineareasandthesustainableuseofmarineresources.Inaddition,althoughstillindirectly,theBarcelonaConventionandinparticulartheICZMProtocolprovideanoverallframeworkforMSPimplementationwithinterritorialsealimitsofallMediterraneancountries,asdetailedinchapter3.Indeed,planningofthemarinespaceisaconceptwidelytakenonboardbytheICZMProtocol(seesub-chapter3.1),whiletheBarcelonaConventionrecentlyembarkedinpolicyinitiativesdirectlyaddressingMSP(seesub-chapter3.3).

ItisrecognizedthattheEUDirectiveonMSPisakeyenablingfactor(Zerkavi,2015)thathastriggeredinitialconcreteactionstowardsMSPimplementationinallEUMemberStatesofEasternMediterranean(andingeneralintheentireMediterranean)asreportedintheweb-siteoftheEUMSPPlatform3.Croatia,Cyprus,ItalyandSloveniahavefinalizedthetranspositionoftheMSPEUDirectiveintonationallegislation,whilethisisstillinprogressinGreece.Actually,thiscountryhaslinkedthetranspositionoftheMSPDirectivewiththeratificationoftheICZMProtocol,aimingtoimplementMSPandICZMthroughacoherentandintegratedapproach.

However,allEasternMediterraneanEUcountrieshaveidentifiedthecompetentMSPnationalauthorities,i.e.:theMinistryofTransportandInfrastructureinItaly;theMinistryofEnvironmentandSpatialPlanninginSlovenia;theMinistryofConstructionandPhysicalPlanning,includingtheCroatianInstituteforSpatialDevelopment,inCroatia;theMinistryofEnvironmentandEnergyinGreece;andtheMinistryofTransport,CommunicationandWorksinCyprus.Indeed,MSPisacross-sectorprocessanditsimplementationinvolvesawidernumberofauthoritiesactingatthenational(mainlyothersectororcross-sectorMinistries)andsub-nationallevelswhererelevant(e.g.theItaliancoastalregionsorthespatialplanninginstitutesofCroatiancoastalcounties).

CoordinationmechanismsexistorarebeingcreatedtothisscopeanddefinitionofrolesandresponsibilitywithintheMSPprocessisinprogress.ThroughtheLegislativeDecree17.10.2106n.201,ItalyestablishedtheInter-MinisterialCoordinationTablechairedbythePresidencyoftheCouncilofMinistries(DepartmentofEuropeanPolicies)andtheTechnicalCommitteecoordinatedbytheMinistryofInfrastructuresandTransport.ThefirstisinchargeofdefiningthemarineareasforthedevelopmentofMSPplansandcoastalareasforsea-landinteractionsanalysisaswellasdefiningguidelinesforthe

3 msp-platform.eu;accessedon10.11.2017.Seeinparticularcountryfiches(http://msp-platform.eu/msp-practice/countries)describingthestatusofMSPimplementationineachMemberStateandthewidedatabaseofpractices(http://msp-platform.eu/msp-practice/database)includingalsothosedevelopedintheEasternMediterranean.


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implementationofMSPandelaborationofrelatedplans.ThesecondwillelaborateMSPplansaccordingtotheguidelineselaboratedbytheInter-MinisterialCoordinationTable,includingStrategicEnvironmentalAssessment(SEA)andNatura2000-reatedevaluationprocedures.InJuly2012,CyprusCouncilofMinistersestablishedaWorkingGrouponMSPthenextendedtoICZMinOctober2013.Inthesamecountry,therecentlyapproved(lateSeptember2017)MSPBillestablishestheMSPCommitteeinvolvinganumberofministries,departmentsandservicesofCyprusGovernmentandbeinginchargeofthepreparationoftheMSPplan.AsfarasMSPisconcerned,thisCommitteewillreplacetheabove-mentionedWorkingGrouponMSPandICZM,whichhoweverwillremaininplaceforissuesdealingwithintegratedcoastalzonemanagement.InGreece,consultationonspatialplanningwithsectoralMinistries,regionalauthoritiesandstakeholdersingeneralcanbeensuredbytheNationalSpatialPlanningCouncil.

Moreover,countriesareconcretelydevelopingotherMSP-relatedactivities,as:

§ Settingoutofguidelines;§ DevelopmentofMSPmethodologies;§ Datacollectionandstructuring,includinganalysisofdataavailabilityandgaps;§ Stocktakingofmaritimeusesandactivities;

§ Elaborationofoverarchingvision/strategicelements,asforexamplethevision„SustainableuseanddevelopmentoftheseasofCyprus”partofthe„StrategyofCyprusforanationalintegratedmaritimepolicy”approvedinAugust2014ortheSlovenianSpatialDevelopmentStrategycurrentlybeingrevisedalsotoincludemoremaritimeaspects;and/or

§ IdentificationofthenumberofexpectedMSPplansandrelatedgeographicscope.AtthecurrentstageofMSPimplementation,thenumberandextentofplansthatmightbedevelopedisnotknownforalltheEasternMediterraneanEUcountries.Thefollowingplanscanbeexpectedforsomeofthesecountries:threeMSPplansforItaly:WesternMediterranean,AdriaticSea,IonianandCentralMediterranean;onenationalstrategicspatialplanforSloveniainlinewiththeSpatialPlanningAct;threeplansforCroatia,asdefinedbytherecentlyamendedPhysicalPlanningActtransposingtheEUMSPDirective:StateLevelSpatialDevelopment,SpatialPlanofthecontinentalbelt,SpatialplanoftheEcologicalandFisheriesProtectionZone..

However,MSPinitiativesandprojectsarestillunbalancedbetweentheEUandnon-EUcountries,andinparticularbetweenthenorthernandtheeastern-southernshoresoftheEasternMediterranean.Initialactionshavebeenalsotakeninsomenon-EUcountries,asforexampletheIsraelMarinePlanelaboratedbyagroupofresearchersandplannersattheCentreforUrbanandRegionalStudiesattheFacultyofArchitectureandTownPlanningofTechnion–IsraelInstituteofTechnology4(Portman,2015)orthedesignandtestingofamethodologyformarinevulnerabilityassessment,basedontheEcosystemApproach(EcAp),tobepotentiallyusedwithinanMSPprocessinBokakotorskaBay(Montenegro)5.

Moreover,severalEasternMediterraneancountries(althoughmainlyEuropeanones)havebeeninvolvedsofarinanumberofprojects(e.g.PlanCoast,SHAPE,ADRIPLAN,THAL-CHOR),mostofthem

4 http://msp-israel.net.technion.ac.il/en;accessedon10.11.20175 http://msp-platform.eu/practices/ecap-base-marine-vulnerability-assessment-basis-msp-montenegro;accessedon10.11.2017


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fundedbytheEU,whichhavedevelopedcustomizedMSPmethodologies,practices,toolsandservices.SomeoftheseandexperiencefromtheUNESCO-IOConMSPhavebeenusedinpilotcasestotesttheminMediterraneanconditions(e.g.UNEnvironment/MAP–PAP/RAC„PavingtheroadtoMSPintheMediterranean”).Uptakeofprojects’resultsbyformalMSPprocessesshouldbeincreasedtofosterMSPimplementationintheEasternMediterranean,alsoinacross-borderperspective.ThespecificexperienceoftheAdriatic-Ionianregionpointsouttheimportanceofprogressivelybuildingonpreviousprojects’results(fromPlanCoasttoSHAPEtoADRIPLANtoSUPREME)todelivertoolsandpracticesreadyusablebythestatutoryMSPprocess.

AlthoughMSPcanbeseenprimarilyasacountry-basedprocess,thatthereforeneedstofocusonnationalpriorities,cross-bordercooperationisessentialtoensurethatMSPplans(andICZMprocesses)arecoherentandcoordinatedacrossthecoastalzonesandthemarineregions,asalsorequiredbyart.11oftheEUMSPDirectiveasfarasEUMemberStatesareconcerned(andarticle12forCooperationwiththirdcountries).EasternMediterraneancountriesareexpectedtoworktogetheracrossborderstodealwithsomecommonenvironmental,socialandeconomicchallenges,startingfromtheirspecificidentification,inlinewiththeobjectivesandminimumrequirementssetoutintheDirective2014/89/EU,asto:

i) supportsustainabledevelopmentandgrowthinthemaritimesector,contributingamongelsetosustainableenergyatsea,maritimetransport,fisheriesandaquaculture,andtourism,applyinganecosystem-basedapproach;

ii) contributetothepreservation,protectionandimprovementoftheenvironment,includingresiliencetoclimatechangeimpacts;and

iii) promotethecoexistenceofrelevantactivitiesanduses.

Somecross-borderaspectsrelatedtothesegeneralchallengesareclearlyMSP-relatedandalreadyidentified,inoneortheotherway,inthecontextoftheBarcelonaConventionsystemascallingforcoordinatedaction.Attheverypreliminarylevel,examplesofpossiblecommonchallengescanbeidentified,basedalsoontheanalysisconductedfortheelaborationofthe„Backgrounddocument–ThewaytoaregionalframeworkforICZMintheMediterranean2017–2021”usedtounderpintheelaborationoftheCommonRegionalFrameworkforICZMandtheConceptualFrameworkforMSPaswellasSUPREMEInitialAssessment(seepar.4.9.3)e.g.:

§ Reductionofoverfishingandimprovementofsustainablemanagementoffisheryandfishresources6;

§ AchievementofGoodEnvironmentalStatus(GES)targetstoensureproperenvironmentalprotectionandallowitssustainableuse;

§ Managementofmaritimetrafficspecificallyincongestedorstrategicallyimportantareas(e.g.theAdriaticSea,theAegeanSeaandtheconnectiontotheBlackSea,theroutesconnectingto

6 Accordingtotheindicatorofexploitationstatus(F/FMSY),themajorityof78examined(86%)stocksareharvestedabovethelevelthatcanensurethestocksustainably,whileonlyaminority(14%)ofstocksareexploitedsustainablyintheMediterranean(UNEnvironment/MAP,2017).


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theSuezchannel),includingfurtherreductionofriskofshipcollisionsandenvironmentalaccidents7;

§ Managementofconflictsthatmightarisefromtheexploitationofsubmarinenaturalgasandoilresources8;

§ Increasecross-bordercollaborativeandcoordinatedapproachtoincreasetheresilienceoftheMediterraneanmarineandcoastalnaturalandsocioeconomicsystemstotheimpactsofclimatechange9.

7 Althoughshipaccidentsrateshavegonedowngloballyandregionally,severalstudies,basedonthedailytrafficcrossingtheIstanbulStraitandtheBosphorus,identifiedtheEastMediterranean/BlackSeaareaasoneofthetopareaspresentingthegreatestprobabilityofashippingaccidentoccurring(UNEnvironment/MAP,2017).

8 44%oftheMediterraneaniseithercontractedordesignatedforoil&gasexploration–thisposesariskthatthosezones,especiallytheonesintheEasternMediterranean,maybeexploredatonepoint,potentiallyleadingtoincreasedpollution(UNEnvironment/MAP,2017).

9 TheIPCCAR5considerstheMediterraneanRegionas„highlyvulnerabletoclimatechange”andstatesthatit„willsuffermultiplestressesandsystemicfailuresduetoclimatechanges”.Atthesametime,responsestoclimate-relatedpressuresandhazardsintheregionareoftenlimitedtoshort-termandreactivelocalemergencymeasures.RegionalClimateChangeAdaptationFrameworkfortheMediterraneanMarineandCoastalAreas(UNEnvironment/MAP,2017a).


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3. MSPundertheBarcelonaConvention

3.1 Legalandpolicyframe

TheMediterraneanActionPlan(MAP)hascomealongwaysinceitsapprovalin1975.Itsmainpolicyachievementis,inthecontextoftheRegionalSeasProgramme,theadoptionofaframeworkConventionfortheProtectionoftheMarineEnvironmentagainstPollution(BarcelonaConvention,BC,signedin1976),renamedlaterasConventionfortheProtectionoftheMarineEnvironmentandtheCoastalRegionoftheMediterranean(asamendedin1995),anditsrelatedsevenlegalProtocols10,embracingall21CountriesborderingtheMediterraneanSeatogetherwiththeEuropeanUnion.TheBarcelonaConvention,withitsrelatedProtocols,istheonlyregionalmultilaterallegalframeworkfortheprotectionoftheMediterraneanmarineandcoastalenvironment,settingtheobligations„toprevent,abate,combatandtothefullestextentpossibleeliminatepollutionoftheMediterraneanSeaArea“and„toprotectandenhancethemarineenvironmentinthatareasoastocontributetowardsitssustainabledevelopment“(BC,Art4).

MAPthereforecontributedinsettingoutalegalandinstitutionalframeworkforcooperationinaddressingcommonchallengesofmarineenvironmentaldegradation,whileMAPsecretariat(includingitsRegionalActivityCentres–RACs)remainsthetechnicalmechanism,assistingtheMediterraneanGovernmentsintheireffortstoimplementtheirrespectivecommitmentsfortheprotectionofthemarineandcoastalenvironmentintheRegion,multilaterallyorunilaterally.

WhileMSPisarelativelynewtermwithintheBarcelonaConventionframe,severalBCProtocolsregulatekeymaritimesectors.Thisparticularlyrefersto:theProtocolfortheprotectionoftheMediterraneanSeaagainstpollutionresultingfromexplorationandexploitationofthecontinentalshelfandtheseabedanditssubsoil(OffshoreProtocol);theProtocolforthePreventionandEliminationofPollutionintheMediterraneanSeabyDumpingfromShipsandAircraftorIncinerationatSea(DumpingProtocol);theProtocolconcerningcooperationinpreventingpollutionfromshipsand,incasesofemergency,combatingpollutionoftheMediterraneanSea(PreventionandEmergencyProtocol)andtheProtocolconcerningthepreventionofpollutionoftheMediterraneanSeabytransboundarymovementsofhazardouswastesandtheirdisposal(HazardousWastesProtocol).

10ProtocolfortheprotectionoftheMediterraneanSeaagainstpollutionfromland-basedsourcesandactivities(LBSProtocol,adoptedin1996andenteredintoforce11May2008);ProtocolconcerningthepreventionofpollutionoftheMediterraneanSeabytransboundarymovementsofhazardouswastesandtheirdisposal(HazardousWastesProtocol,adoptedin1996enteredintoforce19January2008);Protocolconcerningcooperationinpreventingpollutionfromshipsand,incasesofemergency,combatingpollution oftheMediterraneanSea(PreventionandEmergencyProtocol,adoptedin2002andenteredintoforce17March2004);ProtocolforthePreventionandEliminationofPollutionintheMediterraneanSeabyDumpingfromShipsandAircraftorIncinerationatSea(DumpingProtocol,adoptedin1995butnotyetinforce.Itisinforcesince1978the1976DumpingProtocol),ProtocolfortheprotectionoftheMediterraneanSeaagainstpollutionresultingfromexplorationandexploitationofthecontinentalshelfandtheseabedanditssubsoil(OffshoreProtocol,adoptedin1994enteredintoforce24March2011);ProtocolconcerningspeciallyprotectedareasandbiologicaldiversityintheMediterranean(SPA/BDProtocol,adoptedin1995enteredintoforce12December1999);ProtocolonIntegratedCoastalZoneManagementintheMediterranean(ICZMProtocol).


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Inaddition,planningofthemarinespaceisaconceptalreadytakenonboardbytheICZMProtocol.SpatialplanningofthecoastalzoneisregardedasanessentialinstrumentoftheimplementationofthesameProtocol.OneofthemainobjectivesofICZMisto„facilitate,throughtherationalplanningofactivities,thesustainabledevelopmentofcoastalzonesbyensuringthattheenvironmentandlandscapesaretakenintoaccountinharmonywitheconomic,socialandculturaldevelopment”(ICZMProtocol,Art.5).PlanningisrecalledalsoinotherpartsoftheProtocol,asinthecaseofarticlesdealingwiththeprotectionofwetlands,estuariesandmarinehabitats(Art.10)ortheprotectionofcoastallandscape(Art.11).

AccordingtoArt.3,theareatowhichtheProtocolapplies(i.e.thecoastalzone)istheareabetween:

§ theseawardlimitofthecoastalzone,whichshallbetheexternallimitoftheterritorialseaofParties;and

§ thelandwardlimitofthecoastalzone,whichshallbethelimitofthecompetentcoastalunitsasdefinedbytheParties.

ThegeographicalscopeoftheProtocol(seeBox1)includesboththelandandtheseaanditfollowsthatplanningshouldbeequallyappliedtobothcomponentsofthecoastalzones.

IthasalsotobeconsideredthattheICZMProtocolispartoftheEuropeanlegalsystem,duetoitsratificationbytheEuropeanUnionwithDecision2010/631/EUof13September201011.

Inthisperspective,MSPcanbeconsideredastheintegrativepartoftheimplementationofICZMinthemarinepartofthecoastalzone–correspondingtotheexternallimitoftheterritorialseaofParties–andspecificallyforitssustainableplanningandmanagement.Land-seainteractionscouldberegardedaspartofthedefinitionsgiveninArt.2andarethebasisoftheprinciplesoutlinedinArt.6.

Box1:GeographicalscopeofMSP

11CouncilDecisionof13September2010concerningtheconclusion,onbehalfoftheEuropeanUnion,oftheProtocolonIntegratedCoastalZoneManagementintheMediterraneanoftheConventionfortheProtectionoftheMarineEnvironmentandtheCoastalRegionoftheMediterranean.

GeographicalscopeofMSPin:

§ Directive2014/89/EUèmarinewaters,meaningthewaters,theseabedandsubsoillocatedontheseawardsideuptotheboundariesoftheareaofapplicationofMemberStatejurisdictionalrights,correspondingtothecontinentalshelf,thedeclaredEconomicExclusiveZoneEEZ,FisheryProtectionZoneFPZ,EcologicalProtectionZoneEPZ,ProtectedEcological-FisheryZonePEFZandincludingthecoastalwatersanditsseabedandsubsoil(thatarethesurfacewatersonthelandwardsideofaline,everypointofwhichisatadistanceofonenauticalmileontheseawardsidefromthenearestpointofthebaselinefromwhichthebreadthofterritorialwatersismeasured),extendingwhereappropriateuptotheouterlimitofthetransitionalwaters.

§ ICZMProtocol(bymeansofinterpretation)èthemarinewaterswithintheseawardlimitofthecoastalzone,meaningthewaters,theseabedandsubsoilwithintheexternallimitoftheterritorialseaofPartiesandincludingtheinternalwatersandthetransitionalwaters.


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GiventhedefinitionofthecoastalzonesintheICZMProtocol,almostallotherProtocolsoftheBarcelonaConventionarerelatedinoneortheotherwaytoit.ICZMcanandshouldprovidesupporttotheimplementationofseveraloftheseProtocolsandtherelevantobjectivesandprovisionsoftheseProtocolsshouldbetakenintoaccountinallICZMprojects,plansandstrategies.Giventheselinks,theapplicationofMSP,atleast,withintheframeworkandthegeographicalscopeoftheICZMProtocol,cancontributetothegoalsdefinedbyotherProtocols,asinthecaseofidentification,planningandmanagementofprotectedareasaccordingtotheSPA/BDProtocolortheprotectionoftheMediterraneanSeaagainstpollutionresultingfromexplorationandexploitationofthecontinentalshelfandtheseabedanditssubsoil(OffshoreProtocol).

InadditiontotheProtocols,severalspecificActionPlans,relatedtothemarineenvironment,havebeenelaboratedandapprovedbytheContractingParties(seeBox2).

SincetheaforementionedActionPlansprovideforconcretetargets,actionsandmeasuresthathaveanimpactontheactivitiesundertakenonoraffectingthecoastalandmarineareas,theseshouldbetakenintofullconsiderationwhendevelopingandapplyingMSP.

Takingintoconsiderationalltheabove,theContractingPartiestotheBarcelonaConventionanditsProtocols,attheirnineteenthOrdinaryMeeting(COP19,Athens2016),recommendedtostrengthenMAPactivitiesinthefieldofMSPinordertocontributetoGESoftheMediterraneanSeaandCoasts,investigateinmoredetailconnectionsbetweenlandandseaareasandproposecoherentandsustainablelandandsea-useplanningframeworksrelatingwithkeyeconomicsectorsandactivitiesthatmayaffectthecoastalandmarineresources.TheelaborationofaConceptualFramework(CF)forMSPasanemergingissueintheentireMediterraneanRegion,interlinkedwithICZMandtherelatedProtocol,wasenvisagedbytheUNEnvironment/MAPProgrammeofWork(PoW)approvedfor2016-2017.ItsmainaimistointroduceMSPwithintheBarcelonaConvention,asthemaintool/processfortheimplementationofICZMinthemarinepartofthecoastalzoneandspecificallyforplanningandmanagingmaritimehumanactivitiesinlinewiththeEcologicalObjectivesandGESandrelatedtargetsadoptedbytheBarcelonaConventionContractingParties,thuscontributingtothebalancebetweenenvironmental,socialandeconomicdimensionsofsustainabledevelopment.The20thMeetingoftheContractingPartiestotheBarcelonaConvention(COP20–Tirana,Albania2017)adoptedtheConceptualFrameworkforMarineSpatialPlanningasaguidingdocumenttofacilitatetheintroductionofthismanagementtoolintotheBarcelonaConventionframework(seeChapter3.5).

ImplementationofMSPinEUMemberStatesfallsundertheEUlegislation.InadditiontotheEUDirective2014/89/EU,establishingaframeworkformaritimespatialplanning,theprincipleofthedutyofsincereco-operationisfundamentalfortheimplementationofMSP.SincetheTreatyofLisbon,thisprinciplethatcanbefoundinArticle4(3)TEU,accordingtowhichtheUnionandtheMemberStatesshall,infullmutualrespect,assisteachotherincarryingouttaskswhichflowfromtheTreaties,takeanyappropriatemeasure,generalorparticular,toensurefulfilmentoftheobligationsarisingoutoftheTreatiesorresultingfromtheactsoftheinstitutionsoftheUnion,facilitatetheachievementoftheUnion’stasksandrefrainfromanymeasure,whichcouldjeopardisetheattainmentoftheUnion’sobjectives.


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Box2:RelevantActionPlansthatneedtobetakenintoaccountfortheimplementationofMSPbytheCPs.Source:www.unep.org/unepmap/action-plans.

Pollution§ MediterraneanOffshoreProtocolPlan§ RegionalPlansadoptedintheframeworkoftheLBSProtocolonthereductionoreliminationof

substancesortheirinputs:§ RegionalPlanontheeliminationofAldrin,Chlordane,Dieldrin,Endrin,Heptachlor,MirexandToxaphene§ RegionalPlanonthephasingoutofDDT§ RegionalPlanonreductionofBOD5fromurbanwastewater§ RegionalPlanonthereductionofinputsofMercury§ RegionalPlanonthereductionofBOD5inthefoodsector§ RegionalPlanonthephasingoutofHexabromodiphenylether,Heptabromodiphenylether,

TetrabromodiphenyletherandPentabromodiphenylether;PhasingoutofLindaneandEndosulfan;PhasingoutofPerfluorooctanesulfonylacid,itssaltsandPerfluorooctanesulfonylfluoride

§ EliminationofAlphahexachlorocyclohexane,Betahexachlorocyclohexane,Chlordecone,Hexabromobiphenyl,Pentachlorobenzene

§ RegionalPlanonMarineLitterManagementintheMediterranean

SpeciallyProtectedAreasandBiologicalDiversity§ RegionalWorkingProgrammefortheCoastalandMarineProtectedAreasintheMediterraneanSea

includingtheHighSea§ ActionPlanfortheconservationofCartilaginousFish(Chondricthyans)intheMediterranean§ ActionPlanfortheconservationofmarinevegetationintheMediterraneanSeafortheperiod2012-

2017§ ActionPlanfortheconservationofMediterraneanMarineTurtlesintheMediterraneanSeaforthe

period2014-2019§ ActionPlanfortheconservationofBirdspecieslistedinAnnexIItotheSPA/BDProtocolinthe

Mediterraneanfortheperiod2014-2019§ ActionPlanfortheconservationofCartilaginousFishesintheMediterraneanSeafortheperiod2014-

2019§ ActionPlanfortheconservationofHabitatsandSpeciesassociatedwithseamounts,underwatercaves

andcanyons,aphoticengineeringbenthicinvertebratesandchemo-syntheticphenomena,intheMediterraneanSea

§ Roadmaptowardsacomprehensive,ecologicallyrepresentative,effectivelyconnectedandefficientlymanagednetworkofMediterraneanMarineProtectedAreasby2020

IntegratedCoastalZoneManagement§ ActionPlanfortheimplementationoftheICZMProtocol2012-2019

SustainableConsumptionandProduction§ ActionPlanonSustainableConsumptionandProduction

ClimateChangeadaptation§ RegionalClimateChangeAdaptationFrameworkfortheMediterraneanMarineandCoastalAreas


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Alsointhelightofthedutyofsincereco-operationandinaccordancewiththeprovisionsoftheEUTreaties(Article3etseq.),accordingtowhichtheEUensurescompliancewithandtheproperimplementationofinternationaltreatiesinpromotingtheirdevelopment,MSPcanonlybeappliedconsistentlyandinthelightoftheprinciplesandobjectivesoftheBCSystem,astheyhavebeendevelopedandimplementedovertheyearsintheircontinuousevolution,alsothroughtheadoptionandimplementationoftherelatedsevenProtocolsenhancingtheConvention'soveralleffectiveness,includingtheICZMProtocol.

InordertosupportandassistContractingPartiestomeettheirobligationsundertheBarcelonaConventionanditsrelatedProtocols,theComplianceCommitteeoftheBarcelonaConvention,asasubsidiarybody,hasbeenestablishedwiththeaimtofacilitate,promote,monitorandsecurecompliancewiththeBClegalframework.

Therefore,thelinkbetweentheMSPoftheEUDirective2014/89/EU,establishingaframeworkformaritimespatialplanning,andtherespectiveUNEnvironment/MAPactivitiesisbasedontheunderlinedprinciplesoftheBarcelonaSystem,designedtoachievetheobjectiveofprotectingandenhancingthemarineenvironmentsoastoachieveand/ormaintainaGoodEnvironmentalStatusoftheMediterraneanSeaandCoastsandcontributetowardsthesustainabledevelopmentoftheMediterranean.

Wearethusseeingarapidevolutionofthelegalframeworkthat,inavirtuouscircle,triggersaprocessofcorrectandconsistentinterpretationandapplicationofallitslegalcomponents.Theimplementationofindividualcomponentscouldfacilitatetheobjectiveofconsistencyintheapplicationoftheentirelegalsystem(European,RegionalwiththeRegionalSeasConventionsandinternational).

Forthesereasons,throughtheimplementationofMSP,theunderlyingprinciplesoftheBarcelonaConventionSystemand,inparticular,oftheICZMProtocol,shallbefullyandcompletelyenforcedandimplementedwithintheEU.

3.2UnitedNationsConventionontheLawoftheSea

ThelegalframeworkforMSP,undertheBC,inparticularinrelationtotheUnitedNationsConventionontheLawoftheSea(UNCLOS)andRegionalSeasConventions(RSC)provisions,callsforthenecessityofamulti-scaleapproachtoacknowledgespecificitiesoftheMediterraneanbasinanditsmarineregions,alsofromalegalpointofview.

AllEUMemberStatesintheMediterraneanhaveratifiedUNCLOS.

3.2.1ApplicationofUNCLOSintheEasternMediterranean

TheUnitedNationsConventionontheLawoftheSeaidentifiesseveralmarinespacesbetweenareaswithinnationaljurisdiction,i.e.theTerritorialSea,theContinentalShelf,theExclusiveEconomicZone(EEZ)andtherelatedEcologicalProtectionZone(EPZ),EcologicalandFisheriesProtectionZone(EFPZ),FisheriesProtectionZone(FPZ),aswellasareasbeyondnationaljurisdiction.Italsoprovidessectorialapproachesandfocusesonshipping,fishing,wastedumpingandmineralsmining,regulatingtheregimeofinternationalStraitsandChannels.UNCLOSprovidesthelegalframeworkforallactivitiesintheoceansandseas,includingtheconservationandsustainableuseofmarinebiodiversitybeyondareasof


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nationaljurisdiction.UNCLOSobligesStatestoprotectandpreservethemarineenvironment(includingrareorfragileecosystems),withparticularrequirementsonco-operationbetweenPartiesonaglobalandregionalbasisforformulatingandelaboratingthenecessaryinternationalrules(UNCLOS,Articles192,194and197).

Finally,itisworthmentioningthatUNCLOS(PartXII,Articles205and206),alsoprovidesmeasuresonthesocalledenvironmentalassessment,inparticularbyprovidingthatwhereStateshavereasonablegroundsforbelievingthatplannedactivitiesundertheirjurisdictionorcontrolmaycausesubstantialpollutionoforsignificantandharmfulchangestothemarineenvironment,theyshall,asfaraspracticable,assessthepotentialeffectsofsuchactivitiesonthemarineenvironment,includingadutytonotify.ThisdutyencompassesplannedactivitiesunderthejurisdictionorcontrolofStateswhichmaycausesignificantandharmfulchangestothemarineenvironmentbeyondnationaljurisdiction.

TheseprinciplesareforeseenintheSEADirective2001/42/ECandintheProtocolonStrategicEnvironmentalAssessmenttotheConventiononEnvironmentalImpactAssessmentinaTransboundaryContext(SEAProtocol,Kyiv2003),ratifiedbytheEUon21November2008andtransposedinEUlegislationthroughtheSEADirective.

3.2.2TheExclusiveEconomicZones

TakingintoaccounttheobjectivesoftheSUPREMEprojectinthelegalcontextoftheEuropeanUnion,thegeographicalscopeofspatialplanningisthatspecifiedinDirective2014/89/EU,whichalsoincludestheExclusiveEconomicZones(EEZ).

IntheExclusiveEconomicZones(EEZ)(UNCLOS,PartV)–anareabeyondandadjacenttotheTerritorialSea,extendingseawardstoadistanceofnomorethan200nauticalmiles(370km)outfromitscoastalbaseline–acoastalStatehasbeengivensovereignrightsforthepurposeofexploringandexploiting,conservingandmanagingthenaturalresources.IntheEcologicalProtectionZones(EPZ),adoptedbysomeCountriesmorerecently,acoastalStatehasbeengiven,asaminus,sovereignrightsonlyforthepurposeofconservingandmanagingthenaturalresources.ThecoastalStatehasspecificmanagementresponsibilities,especiallyasconcernsthelivingresourcesofthezone.Inthelightofthesemanagementresponsibilities,acoastalState,whichhasclaimedanExclusiveEconomicZoneoranEcologicalProtectionZonecannotpursueapolicyofinactionwithrespecttoitslivingresources.

Hereinafter,asummarizedframeworkofthesituationintheEasternMediterraneanarea,graduallychanged,untiltheproclamationduringthelastperiodbythemajorityofthecoastalStatesofeitherExclusiveEconomicZones(EEZ)orFisheryZones(FZ),aswellastherecentlyemergingregimeofEcologicalProtectionZones(EPZ)andcombinationsofecologicalandfisheryzones:

§ ItalyhasnotestablishedanExclusiveEconomicZone(EEZ),buthasadoptedlawn.61/2006,whichprovidesforanEcologicalProtectionZonebeyondtheouterlimitoftheterritorialseafortheprotectionandpreservationofmarineenvironmentandarchaeologicalandhistoricalheritage.In2011wasadoptedafirstimplementingPresidentialDecree(n.209/2011)fortheestablishmentofanEcologicalProtectionZone,coveringtheNorth-WestMediterraneanSea,LigurianandTyrrhenianSeas.Inthisdefinedareaaretobeapplied,alsowithrespecttoforeignflaggedshipsandtoforeignnationalswithintheEPZ,therulesofinternational,Europeanandnationallawsrelatedtoprevention,responseandcontrolofallkindsofmarinepollution,


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includingpollutionfromshipsandballasttanks,pollutionbydumpingofwaste;pollutionasaresultofexplorationandexploitationofthesea-bedandsubsoil(thesocalled„offshoreactivities”);pollutionofatmosphericorigin;protectionofbiodiversityandinparticularmarinemammals.

§ TheEcologicalProtectionZoneandContinentalShelfwasdeclaredbytheRepublicofSloveniawithAct22October2005;

§ CroatiaadoptedadecisiontoestablishaProtectedEcological-FisheryZone,forbothfishingandecologicalpurposes,in2003,whichimplementationwaspostponedwithregardtoMemberStatesoftheEuropeanUnion;

§ Egyptin1983,Syriain2003,Cyprusin2004,Lebanonin2011declaredanExclusiveEconomicZone(EEZ).

WhileFishingZoneorEcologicalProtectionZonearenotmentionedintheUNCLOS,theyarecompatiblewithinternationallaw,alsoonthebasisofthegeneralprinciplethattherighttodolessisimpliedintherighttodomore(inmaiorestatminus);encompassingonlysomeoftherightsthatcanbeexercisedwithintheEEZ.

UNCLOSiscomplementedbyotherinternationalrelatedlegalinstruments,onthecontextofUnitedNationsspecializedagencies,organizationsandprogrammesandofintergovernmentalorganizations,includingtheonesgivenintheBox3(seebelow).

AnotherimportantissuetobeaddressedistheEEZ/FZ/EPZ/PEFZwithintheMAPBarcelonaConventionsystem.ItisinterestingtounderlinetherulesconcerningtheapplicationofContractingParties’lawsonenvironmentalprotectionalsobeyondtheouterlimitoftheterritorialsea.Inparticular:

§ Article1oftheBarcelonaConvention,statingthat„thegeographicalcoverageoftheConventionistheMediterraneanSeaAreaasthemaritimewatersoftheMediterraneanSeaproper.”

§ Article1,letterkoftheProtocolconcerningthepreventionofpollutionoftheMediterraneanSeabytransboundarymovementsofhazardouswastesandtheirdisposal(HazardousWastesProtocol),whichstatesthatareaunderthenationaljurisdictionofaState(referredforexampletoArt.5)meansalsomarineareawithinwhichStateexercisesadministrativeandregulatoryresponsibilitiesinaccordancewithinternationallawinregardtotheprotectionofhumanhealthortheenvironment.

§ Article2oftheProtocolconcerningcooperationinpreventingpollutionfromshipsand,incasesofemergency,combatingpollutionoftheMediterraneanSea(PreventionandEmergencyProtocol)specifyingthatthegeographicalcoveragetowhichtheProtocolappliesistheMediterraneanSeaArea.

§ Article2oftheProtocolfortheprotectionoftheMediterraneanSeaagainstpollutionresultingfromexplorationandexploitationofthecontinentalshelfandtheseabedanditssubsoil(OffshoreProtocol)onthegeographicalcoveragetowhichtheProtocolapplies,specifyingthatistheMediterraneanSeaAreaincludingthecontinentalshelfandtheseabedanditssubsoil.

§ Articles2and5oftheProtocolconcerningspeciallyprotectedareasandbiologicaldiversityintheMediterranean(SPA/BDProtocol),specifyingthegeographicalcoveragewhichappliesin„theareaoftheMediterraneanSeaasdelimitedinArticle1oftheConvention”,includingtheseabedanditssubsoil(Art.2)andenablingestablishmentofSpeciallyProtectedAreas(Art.5)inthemarineandcoastalzonessubjecttothesovereigntyorjurisdictionoftheParties(includedEEZ/FZ/EPZ/EFPZ)(Art.5a)andinthezonespartlyorwhollyonthehighseas(5b).


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Box3:LegalinstrumentscomplementarytoUNCLOS12

12http://www.isa.org.jm

TheInternationalSeabedAuthority(ISA)isanautonomousinternationalorganizationestablishedundertheUNCLOSandthe1994AgreementrelatingtotheImplementationofPartXIoftheUnitedNationsConventionontheLawoftheSea,withtheroleregardingmarinescientificresearchandtheprotectionofthemarineenvironment.TheAuthorityistheorganizationthroughwhichStatesPartiestotheConventionshall,inaccordancewiththeregimefortheseabedandoceanfloorandsubsoilthereofbeyondthelimitsofnationaljurisdiction(theArea)establishedinPartXIandtheAgreementorganizeandcontrolactivitiesintheArea,particularlywithaviewtoadministeringtheresourcesoftheArea12.

ISAguidelinesprovideforAreasofParticularEnvironmentalInterest(APEIs),which,inparticular,stipulatethatpriortotheissuanceoftest-miningandexploitationpermits,preservationreferenceareaswillbedelineated„inwhichnominingwilloccurtoensurerepresentativeandstablebiotaoftheseabedinordertoassessanychangesinthefloraandfaunaofthemarineenvironment”(ISBA/4/C/4/Rev.1,annex4,sect.5.6).„Thepreservationreferencezone[s]shouldbecarefullylocatedandlargeenoughsoasnottobeaffectedbythenaturalvariationsoflocalenvironmentalconditions.Thezone[s]shouldhavespeciescompositioncomparabletothatofthetestminingarea[s].Itshouldbelocatedupstreamofthetestminingarea[s]andshouldbeoutsideoftestminingarea[s]andareasinfluencedbytheplume”(InternationalSeabedAuthority1999,p.226).

Hence,thefullrangeofhabitatandcommunitytypes,potentiallyfoundinminingclaimareas,mustberepresentedinpreservationreferenceareas,andthescaleofpreservationreferenceareasmustbelargeenoughthatthesecommunitytypesare„stable”,i.e.,sustainable.Furthermore,theinterestsofallstakeholders(includingtheISA,signatoriestotheUNCLOS,nodulemining,claimholders,non-governmentalorganizations,andthesciencecommunity)willbeincorporatedintothedesignprocess.Inaddition,preservationreferenceareasshouldbeestablishedassoonaspossiblesothatsound,ecosystem-basedmanagementprinciplescanbeincorporatedintominingstrategiesandintothepositioningoffutureclaimareas.

InternationalMaritimeOrganization(IMO),1948UNAgency,hastheroletoadoptlegislationinmattersconcerningmaritimesafety,efficiencyofnavigationandpreventionandcontrolofmarinepollutionfromships,includingthedesignationofParticularlySensitiveSeaArea(PSSA).

The1973/1978theInternationalConventionforthePreventionofPollutionfromShips(MarpolConvention)wasdevelopedbyIMOtominimizepollutionoftheoceansandseas,includingdumping,oilandairpollution.TheobjectiveofthisConventionistopreservethemarineenvironmentinanattempttocompletelyeliminatepollutionbyoilandotherharmfulsubstancesandtominimizeaccidentalspillageofsuchsubstances.

The1945UnitedNationsEducational,ScientificandCulturalOrganization(UNESCO),itsManandtheBiosphereProgramme(MAB)andthe1972WorldHeritageConventionidentifysitesofoutstandingculturalornaturalimportancetothecommonheritageofhumanity.TheIntergovernmentalOceanographicCommission(IOC),inparticulartheOceanBiogeographicInformationSystem,isimportantforthepreservationoftheoceanenvironment.TheWorldConservationMonitoringCentreoftheUnitedNationsEnvironmentProgramme(UNEnvironment-WCMC)andtheGlobalOceanBiodiversityInitiative(GOBI)havethekeyroletoestablisharepositoryforscientificandtechnicalinformationandexperiencerelatedtotheapplicationofthescientificcriteriaontheidentificationofecologicallyorbiologicallysignificantmarineareas(EBSAs),andtodevelopaninformation-sharingmechanismwithsimilarinitiatives,suchasFAO’sworkonvulnerablemarineecosystems(VMEs).In1997,theMethodologicalGuidetoIntegratedCoastalZoneManagementwasadopted.


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BesidestheUNFishStocksAgreement,theUnitedNationsFoodandAgricultureOrganization(FAO)incollaborationwithrelevantinternationalandregionalorganizations,includingRegionalFisheriesManagementOrganizations(RFMOs),hasthetasktoguaranteethesustainabilityoffisheries,bymanagingtheimpactsoffisheriesonspeciesandthewiderthroughoutimplementingtheecosystemapproach,eliminatingillegal,unreportedandunregulated(IUU)fishing;minimizingthedetrimentalimpactsoffishingpractices;mitigatingandmanagingby-catchessustainablyandreducingdiscards,inordertoattainasustainableexploitationlevelofmarinefisheryresourcesandtherebycontributingtoagoodenvironmentalstatusinmarinewaters.

Thecreationofmarineprotectedareas(MPAs)inparticularareasclosedtocertainfishingactivitiescouldconstitutevaluablemeanstoreducetheimpactoffishingonvulnerablemarinehabitatsandspecies.

Underthesameumbrellaare:§ 1995FAOCodeofConductforResponsibleFisheries§ In2005theICCATRecommendation04-12onmanagementmeasuresconcerningrecreationalfishery

intheMediterranean(GFCM,2005)

TheUnitedNationsGeneralAssemblyResolution64/72,paragraphs113through130,onresponsiblefisheriesinthemarineecosystem,addresstheimpactsofbottomfishingonvulnerablemarineecosystemsandthelong-termsustainabilityofdeep-seafishstocks,inareasbeyondnationaljurisdiction,callingonStatesand/orregionalfisheriesmanagementorganizations(RFMOs),consistentwiththeFAOGuidelinesfortheManagementofFisheriesandconsistentwiththeprecautionaryapproach,toconductimpactassessments,conductfurthermarinescientificresearchandusethebestscientificandtechnicalinformationavailabletoidentifyareaswherevulnerablemarineecosystemsareknownorlikelytooccur,eitheradoptconservationandmanagementmeasurestopreventsignificantadverseimpactsonsuchecosystemsorclosesuchareastofishing,andadoptmeasurestoensurethelong-termsustainabilityofdeep-seafishstocks(bothtarget-andnon-targetstocks),andnottoauthorizebottom-fishingactivitiesuntilsuchmeasureshavebeenadoptedandimplemented(seealsoCBDCOP10,DecisionX/29).

The1991ConventiononEnvironmentalImpactAssessmentinaTransboundaryContext(EspooConvention),enteredintoforcein1997,whichsetsouttheobligationsofPartiestoassesstheenvironmentalimpactofcertainactivitiesatanearlystageofplanning;tonotifyandconsulteachotheronallmajorprojectsunderconsiderationthatarelikelytohaveasignificantadverseenvironmentalimpactacrossboundaries.

UndertheUNEnvironmentumbrella,the1992ConventiononBiologicalDiversity(CBD)hasafundamentalroleincontributingtointernationalactionontheprotectionofsensitiveandrepresentativeecosystems,includingthroughtheestablishmentofMPAs,andinsupportingtheidentificationofEcologicallyorBiologicallySignificantMarineAreas(EBSAs)and,ingeneral,globalcooperation.ItcontainsaspecificrequirementunderArticle14(1)(a)and(d),toconductEIAsforactivitiesunderaContractingParty’sjurisdictionorcontrolwhicharelikelytohavesignificantadverseeffectsonbiodiversity–bothterrestrialandmarine–andforareaswithinandbeyondnationaljurisdiction.

Underthesameumbrellaare:§ 1995JakartaMandateonMarineandCoastalBiologicalDiversity(DecisionII/10)1998(DecisionIV/5)§ IntegratedMarineandCoastalAreaManagement(IMCAM)approachesforimplementingthe

Conventiononbiologicaldiversity§ DecisionX/29onmarineandcoastalbiodiversity,adoptedbyCOP10(Nagoya,Japan,18-29October2010)§ „NagoyaProtocolonAccesstoGeneticResourcesandtheFairandEquitableSharingofBenefitsarising

fromtheirutilizationtotheConventiononBiologicalDiversity”(theABSNagoyaProtocol,2010),worthittomanagemarinegeneticresources.


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13

13Seehttp://www.cms.int/

The1996AccobamsAgreementontheConservationofCetaceansintheBlackSea,MediterraneanSeaandcontiguousAtlanticareatopreserveallspeciesofcetaceansandtheirhabitatswithinthegeographicalAgreementareabytheenforcementofmorestringentmeasures.

The1971RamsarConventiononwetlands,theframeworkfornationalactionandinternationalcooperationfortheconservationandwiseuseofwetlandsandtheirresources.

TakingintoaccountthattheMediterraneanregionisuniquebecauseofitsspecialtypeofclimateanditsverylonghistoryofhumanuse,in1991wasestablishedtheMediterraneanWetlandsRegionalInitiative(MedWet),whichbringstogether26Mediterraneanandperi-MediterraneanCountriesthatarePartiestotheConventiononWetlands.TheMedWetMissionistoensureandsupporttheeffectiveconservationofthefunctionsandvaluesofMediterraneanwetlandsandthesustainableuseoftheirresourcesandservices.

TheMediterraneanWetlandObservatory(MWO)wasestablishedin2008,withthemainobjectivetoactasawetlandmanagementtoolservingtheMedWetInitiative'scountries,andthereforetohelptoimprovepoliticaldecisionsregardingtheconservationandsustainablemanagementofwetlands,particularlyintermsoflegislation,governanceandbestpractices.

The1979ConventionontheConservationofMigratorySpeciesofWildAnimals(CMSorBonnConvention)13aimstoconservemigratoryspecies,theirhabitatsandmigrationroutesonaglobalscalethroughouttheirrange,complementingandcooperatingwithanumberofotherinternationalorganizations,especiallypromotingconcertedactionamongtheRangeStatesofmanyofthesespecies.

AnumberoflegallybindingAgreementshavebeenconcludedtodateundertheauspicesofCMS,interaliawiththeaimtoconserveCetaceansoftheMediterraneanSea.

ImportantMarineMammalAreas(IMMAs),definedasdiscreteportionsofhabitat,importanttomarinemammalspecies,thathavethepotentialtobedelineatedandmanagedforconservation,recognizedbyCMStoaddresstheneedsofMigratorySpecies.

The2000AdriaticandIonianInitiative(AII)betweenAlbania,Bosnia-Herzegovina,Croatia,Greece,Italy,Montenegro,SerbiaandSlovenia.

In2012,theEuropeanCouncilrequestedtheEuropeanCommissiontopresentanewEUStrategyfortheAdriaticandIonianRegion(EUSAIR),adoptingaspecificCommunicationandarelatedActionPlanon17June2014.

TheEUSAIRisajointInitiativeinvolvingseveralEuropean,national,regionalandstakeholders,policiesandfundingprogrammes,amacroregionalmultilevelandfocusedcooperationasaninnovativemodeofterritorialcooperationamongregionsandnations,withbalancedandsustainabledevelopmentasasharedgoal.

EUSAIRaimstopromotesustainableeconomicandsocialprosperityoftheRegionthroughgrowthandjobscreation,byimprovingitsattractiveness,competitivenessandconnectivity,whilepreservingtheenvironmentandensuringahealthyandbalancedmarineandcoastalecosystems,contributingtotheEUintegrationoftheparticipatingWesternBalkancandidateandpotentialcandidatecountries,bybringingtogethercountrieswithmuchsharedhistoryandgeography.

TheEUSAIRbuildsonthealreadyexistingMaritimeStrategyfortheAdriaticandIonianSeasasanintegralpartofthenewbroadermacro-regionalstrategy.


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Summingup,alltheprovisionsoftheBarcelonaConventionanditsrelatedProtocols–whichregulateindetaileachactivityforprotectionoftheenvironmentandpreventionofpollution–shallbeappliedandimplementedalsointheestablishedEEZ/FZ/EPZ/EFPZ.Therefore,theestablishmentofthesezonesbyContractingPartiesconstitutesanenhancementofthemanagementoftheMediterraneaninachievingtheBCobjectives,enlargingthemarineareaswherethenationaljurisdictionpowersareappliedandimplemented.However,itshouldbeunderlinedthatprovisionsoftheBCapply,regardlessoftheEEZ,evenfortheactivitiesbeyondnationaljurisdiction.

ThespecificRoundTableonBlueGrowth,incoordinationwiththeEUSAIRparallelPillar,promotestheparticipationofcivilsocietyinvolvedinthissectorwiththeaimtopromotemaritimeandmarinegrowthintheAdriaticandIonianRegionbyfosteringsustainableeconomicdevelopmentandjobcreationaswellasbusinessopportunities.

In2016,duringDubrovnikmeeting,thehighestpoliticalbodyoftheAIIwasreformed,foreseen„AdriaticandIonianCouncil/EUSAIRMinisterialMeeting“heldwithintheEUSAIRForumtoavoidduplicationsandpoolingresources.

TheCouncilofEuropeLandscapeConvention,adoptedin2000andenteredintoforcein2004,promotestheprotection,managementandplanningofEuropeanlandscapesandorganisesEuropeanco-operationonlandscapeissues.

In2004,theInternationalConventionfortheControlandManagementofShips'BallastWaterandSediments(enteredintoforceon8September2017)wasadoptedtopreventthespreadofharmfulaquaticorganismsfromoneregiontoanother,byestablishingstandardsandproceduresforthemanagementandcontrolofships'ballastwaterandsediments.

The2009FAOAgreementonPortStateMeasurestoprevent,deterandeliminateillegal,unreportedandunregulatedfishing(IUU).TheUnitedNationsFoodandAgricultureOrganization(FAO),incollaborationwithrelevantinternationalandregionalorganizations,includingRegionalFisheriesManagementOrganizations(RFMOs)andtheGeneralFisheriesCommissionfortheMediterranean(GFCM),whichhasthetasktoguaranteethesustainabilityoffisheries,bymanagingtheimpactsoffisheriesonspeciesandthewiderthroughoutimplementingtheecosystemapproach,eliminatingillegal,unreportedandunregulated(IUU)fishing;minimizingthedetrimentalimpactsoffishingpractices;mitigatingandmanagingby-catchessustainablyandreducingdiscards,inordertoattainasustainableexploitationlevelofmarinefisheryresourcesandtherebycontributingtoagoodenvironmentalstatusinmarinewaters.

The2009HongKongInternationalConventionfortheSafeandEnvironmentallySoundRecyclingofShips,aimedatensuringthatships,whenbeingrecycledafterreachingtheendoftheiroperationallives,donotposeanyunnecessaryrisktohumanhealthandsafetyortotheenvironment.

Underthesameumbrella:§ ResolutionMEPC.196(62),adoptedon15July2011,Guidelinesforthedevelopmentoftheship

recyclingplan§ ResolutionMEPC.210(63),adoptedon2March2012,Guidelinesforsafeandenvironmentallysound

shiprecycling

The2016IUCNGlobalStandardfortheIdentificationofKeyBiodiversityAreas(KBAs),setsoutgloballyagreedcriteriafortheidentificationofKBAsworldwide.


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3.3 CurrentpolicyinitiativesregardingMSPintheframeworkofBC

ThemostrelevantcurrentactivitiesregardingMSPintheframeworkofBCaretheCommonRegionalFrameworkforICZMandConceptualFrameworkforMSP.

ThepreparationofaCommonRegionalFramework(CRF)forICZMintheMediterraneanisforeseenbytheICZMProtocol(Art.17and18).Morerecently,UNEnvironment/MAPMid-TermStrategy(MTS)2016-2021,intheDecisionIG.22/1ofthe19thMeetingoftheContractingParties(COP19)(Athens,Greece,9-12February2016),indicatesthedefinitionoftheCRFforICZMasoneofitskeyoutputs.Inaddition,UNEnvironment/MAPProgrammeofWork(PoW)approvedfor2016-2017envisagesthepreparationofaConceptualFramework(CP)forMarineSpatialPlanning(MSP)asanemergingissueintheentireMediterraneanRegion.Bothoutputsareinterlinked,whichmakesitnecessarytoclarifytheirrelationshipandestablishaclearhierarchybetweenthem.

Followingthesecommitments,anin-depthstudyoftheexistinggeneralcontextfortheimplementationofICZMintheMediterraneanRegionwascarriedoutduringaWorkshoptodiscusstheFirstDraftoftheRegionalFrameworkforICZMandMSP,organisedinAthens,Greece,on5-6April2017,withparticipationofnominatedexpertsfromthirteenMediterraneancountriesinordertoprovideinitialcommentstothefirstdraftofthedocument.TheorganisationoftheworkshopwassupportedbytheItalianMinistryoftheEnvironmentandfortheProtectionofLandandSea.ThemainoutputsofthePAP/RACNationalFocalPoints(NFPs)meeting,whichwasorganisedatthePAP/RACpremisesinSplit,Croatia,on3-4May2017,werethedefinitionofa„GeneralStructureandElementsoftheCommonRegionalFrameworkforICZM“,inordertosetupthe„AnnotatedContentsoftheCommonRegionalFramework(CRF)forICZM“,andtheConceptualFrameworkforMSP.AnExtraordinaryMeetingofPAP/RACNFPs,supportedbytheItalianMinistryoftheEnvironmentandfortheProtectionofLandandSea,wasorganisedinAthens,Greece,on28-29June2017,anditsmainoutcomewastheapprovalofboththeAnnotatedStructureoftheCRFforICZMandoftheConceptualFrameworkforMSP.TheprocessoffinalizationofthesetwodocumentsalsotookintoconsiderationabackgrounddocumentpreparedbyPAP/RACexperts(„TheWaytoRFforICZMintheMediterranean“),whichincludesanassessmentandanevaluationofthecurrentsituation,theobstaclesinimplementation,theneedsforthefutureandfirstrecommendations,inordertoprovideapointofviewforsupportingtheContractingParties.Theserecommendationswereputtingemphasismostlyonstrengtheningtheenablingenvironmentforimplementation(legislation/institutions,governance,knowledge)ofCRFforICZM.

AsaresultofanextensiveconsultationprocesswiththeCPs,itwasfeltthatthedevelopmentofthefulltextofsuchacomplexandcomprehensivedocumentastheCRFforICZMisneedingmoretime,resourcesandconsultationopportunitiesthaninitiallyenvisagedbytherelevantCOP19Decision.Thus,thePAP/RACNFPspreferredtoadoptastep-wiseapproachandtoproposesolelyanAnnotatedStructureoftheCRFforICZMasabasisforthedevelopmentofthefulldocumentduringthenextbiennium.ThisAnnotatedStructure(seeFigure2)providesguidanceonthecontentsoftheindividualpartsoftheCRFalignedwiththeICZMProtocolprovisionsaswellasfortheirfulldevelopment.TheAnnotatedStructureasaguidingdocumentforthepreparationofaCRFforICZMintheMediterraneanwassubmittedforadoptiontothe20thMeetingoftheContractingPartiestotheBarcelonaConvention(COP20–Tirana,Albania,2017).


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Figure2:TheAnnotatedStructureoftheCRMforICZM

ICZMoffersauniquepossibilitytoimplementonthesamegeographicalareaallcommitmentsrelatedtodifferentsectorialpoliciesinacoherent,coordinated,complementary,synergeticandthereforeintegratedwayandthuscontributetoitssustainabledevelopment.TheapplicationofMSPwithintheframeworkandthegeographicalscopeoftheICZMProtocolcancontributetothegoalsdefinedbyotherProtocols,asinthecaseofidentification,planningandmanagementofprotectedareasaccordingtotheSPA/BDProtocolortheprotectionoftheMediterraneanSeaagainstpollutionresultingfromexplorationandexploitationofthecontinentalshelfandtheseabedanditssubsoil(thesocalledOffshoreProtocol).Therefore,animplementationofCRFforICZMcouldhaveamultipleaddedvalueatdifferentlevels.Amongelse,itcould:

§ contributetoGESandultimatelysustainabledevelopmentoftheconcretecoastalzones;§ reducestressonthemarinepartofacoastalzoneoriginatingfromitsterrestrialpart;§ contributetoabetterunderstandingandmanagingoftheLSIatallpossiblelevelsandofall

possibleforms;


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§ ensuremorecoherenceandcomplementarityofplanningprocessesregardingthelandandtheseapartsofcoasts;

§ facilitatetransboundarycooperationoncross-borderissues;§ providepolicyguidance,tools,methodologiesandgoodpracticestonon-EUMediterranean

countries,thuscontributingtoamoreeffectiveprotectionoftheircoastalandmarineenvironment.ThiswouldbebeneficialtoboththeirMediterraneanneighboursandtheEU-relatedpolicies.

TheCFforMSPisevenmoredirectlyconnectedtothecurrentexercise.ContentsoftheCFhavebeendevelopedbuildingalsoonexperiencefromalargenumberofprojects.TheycanbeusedasachecklisttoverifythatneededelementsoftheMSPprocessaretakeninconsideration,referringtoabovementionedandothermethodologiesforspecificdetails.However,innocasesuchguidelinesshallbeconsideredprescriptive,aseachMSPprocessneedstobetailoredaccordingtospecificcharacteristicsofitsgeographicscope,objectivesandexpectedresults.Thechallengeistocapitalizeavailableexperiencesratherthandevelopnewstep-by-stepmethodologies.ThemainaxesandprinciplesoftheCFareasfollows:

§ UseEcApasaguidingprincipleforMSP;§ Applyanadaptiveapproach;§ Applyamulti-scaleapproach;§ Ensureintegration;§ Takeintoaccountland-seainteractions;§ Provideforfourdimensions(3spatialandtime);§ Baseprojectsonknowledge;§ Seeksuitabilityandspatialefficiency;§ Facilitateconnectivity;and§ Strengthencross-bordercooperation.

TheCFforMSP,basedontheanalysisofexistingmethodologies,suggestsalsosomeconcretestepsandsub-stepsasasortofachecklisttofacilitateeffortsofCPstodeveloptheirownMSPpolicies,keepinginmindthateachMSPprocessneedstobetailoredaccordingtospecificcharacteristicsofitsgeographicalscope,objectivesandexpectedresults.

3.4 The2030AgendaforSustainableDevelopmentanditsSustainableDevelopmentGoals

The2030AgendaforSustainableDevelopmentandits17SustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs)wereadoptedbyworldleadersinSeptember2015atahistoricUNSummitheldinNewYork,USA.Overthenextfifteenyears,withthesenewGoalsthatuniversallyapplytoall,countrieswillmobilizeeffortstoendallformsofpoverty,fightinequalitiesandtackleclimatechange,whileensuringthatnooneisleftbehind.WhiletheSDGsarenotlegallybinding,governmentsareexpectedtotakeownershipandestablishnationalframeworksfortheachievementofthe17Goals.Countrieshavetheprimaryresponsibilityforfollow-upandreviewtheprogressmadeinimplementingtheGoals,whichwillrequirequality,accessibleandtimelydatacollection.Regionalfollow-upandreviewwillbebasedonnational-levelanalysesandcontributetofollow-upandreviewatthegloballevel.


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Inrecognitionofthegrowingimportanceoftheroleofoceansinsustainabledevelopment,SDGGoal14aimstoconserveandsustainablyusetheoceans,seasandmarineresources;theUNEnvironmentwillplayakeyroleincontributingtotheimplementationofthatgoalincoordinationwithotheractors.Astheimportanceoftheregionaldimensionisincreasinglyrecognizedfortheimplementationofglobalagendas,theRegionalSeaProgrammesareconsideredtobetheunitsofmarineecosystemsthatcanfunctionallyprovideservicestohumanbeingssurroundingtheseseas.Therefore,therewillbeaclosecoordinationbetweenMediterraneancountriesandMAPinsupportoftheimplementationandmonitoringofrelevantSDGs(UNEP/MAP,2017).

TheoverarchingSDG14willorientateMSPimplementationinEasternMediterraneanandmoreingeneralintheentireMediterraneanBasin,applyingthereforetoprovisionsincludedintheEUMSPDirectives,aswellasintheguidelinesprovidedbytheCFforMSPdevelopedintheframeworkoftheBarcelonaConvention.

3.5 TransboundarycooperationinMSPintheMediterranean

Cross-bordercooperationinMSPisessentialatalllevels;itisunderlinedbytheEUMSPDirectivecallingforamaritimeplanningprocesstobepromotedthroughthecooperationamongMemberStates,enhancingeffectivecross-border/transboundarycooperationbetweenMemberStates(Art.11)andwithneighbouringThirdCountries(Art.12),inaccordancewithrelevantUNCLOSprovisions.Infact,theMSPisaprocessbasedoncoordinatedactionsthroughcoherentmaritime-relatedpoliciesandrelevantinternationalcooperation,toguaranteethatmaritimespatialplansarecoherentandcoordinatedacrossthemarineregionconcerned.

TheMediterraneanBasinisasemi-enclosedsea(UNCLOS,PartIX)wherethecooperationoftheborderingStatesishighlyneededto:

a) coordinatethemanagement,conservation,explorationandexploitationofthelivingresourcesofthesea;

b) coordinatetheimplementationoftheirrightsanddutieswithrespecttotheprotectionandpreservationofthemarineenvironment;

c) coordinatetheirscientificresearchpoliciesandundertakewhereappropriatejointprogrammesofscientificresearchinthearea;

d) invite,asappropriate,otherinterestedStatesorinternationalorganizationstocooperatewiththeminfurtherstrengtheningsuchjointactions.

InthecontextofMSPimplementation,thecooperationshallbepursuedinparticularthroughexistingregionalinstitutionalcooperationstructuressuchasRegionalSeaConventions.Itistobepointedoutatthisstagethat–asprovedbyexperience–multilateralcooperationisalwayseasierthanbilateraloneamongcountrieshavingunsettledpendingissuesorevenconflictsamongthem.

Thougheasytoexpresssuchawishandguidance,oneshouldkeepinmindthatamajorprerequisitefortheimplementationofsuchacommitmentismutualtrust.Thelong-lastingmultilateralcooperationoftheMediterraneancountriesintheframeworkoftheBCsystemhaspavedthewaytoacertaindegreetothisend.Formorethan40years,theBC,amongothers,promotescooperationbetweenandamongCPsinEnvironmentalImpactAssessment(EIA)proceduresrelatedtoactivitiesundertheirjurisdictionor


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controlwhicharelikelytohaveasignificantadverseeffectonthemarineandcoastalenvironmentofotherCPsorareasbeyondthelimitsofnationaljurisdiction,onthebasisofnotification,exchangeofinformationandconsultation(Art.4,para3,lett.doftheBC).Inaddition,andintheframeworkoftheICZMProtocol,internationalcooperationandscientificdataexchangeisrequiredfor:

§ theactivityinthefieldofmonitoringandobservation(Art.16),trainingandresearch,technicalandscientificcooperation(Art.25-27);

§ thedevelopmentofpoliciesandtheadoptionofmeasuresforthepreventionofnaturalhazards,preventionandmitigationofthenegativeimpactsofcoastalerosion,andresponsetonaturaldisasters(ICZMProtocol-PartIV,Art.22-24);

§ theimplementationofenvironmentalassessments(SEA,TEIA),takingintoconsiderationthecumulativeimpactsonthecoastalzonesandtheircarryingcapacities,inparticularadoptingbymeansofcooperationguidelinesforthedeterminationofproceduresfornotification,exchangeofinformationandconsultationatallstagesoftheprocess(Art.4para3,lett.dofBCandArt.19and29oftheICZMProtocol).

Furthermore,inordertoachievegoodgovernanceamongactorsinvolvedinand/orrelatedtocoastalzonesandtopromoteconsistencyandcoherenceofacrossmarineregionsandidentifiedsub-regions,CPhaveagreedtoelaborateaCRFforICZM(see3.2),thusfurtherstrengtheningtrans-boundarycooperation,inparticularbetweentheCPssharingamarineregion.ThroughthedefinitionofCRFtheywouldjointlyelaboratemeasurestostrengthenregionalcooperationusingcoordinatedmechanismsfor:

§ Processestoaccelerateachievementofresultsagreedandoutcomes/outputssetout;§ Indicatorsasessentialtoolsfortrackingprogress,supportingpolicyevaluationandinforming

thepublicanddecisionmakers;§ MethodsandpracticestoachieveObjectivesandtheGeneralPrinciplesoftheICZMProtocol.

ItshouldbenotedthattransboundarycooperationobstacleswillbeconsiderablymovedawaywhenthecontinentalshelfwillbedelimitatedinallMediterraneancountriesand–ultimately–anEEZwillbedeclaredbyall.ThisisnotyetthecaseforsomeoftheEasternMediterraneancountries,factthatexplainswhytherelevantcommitmentinthelegaltextsisaccompaniedbythephrase„whereappropriate”or„totheextentpossible”.

Overall,transboundarycooperationamongCPsintheframeworkoftheBarcelonaConventionisfundamentalinordertoaddressMSPintheMediterraneanSeaatstrategiclevel.

3.6 Ecosystem-basedApproach

Theecosystem-basedapproachcanbedefinedastheintegratedmanagementofland,waterandlivingresourcesthatprovidessustainabledeliveryofecosystemservicesinanequitableway.Itgoesbeyondexaminingsingleissues,species,orecosystemfunctionsinisolation.Instead,itrecognizesecologicalsystemsforwhattheyare:richmixesofelementsthatinteractwitheachothercontinuously.Thisisparticularlyimportantforcoastsandseas,wherethenatureofwaterkeepssystemsandfunctionshighlyconnected.

Directive2014/89/EUestablishingaframeworkforMSPclearlyrecallstheimportanceofapplyingtherequirementoftheecosystem-basedapproach,bothinthepreambleandunderthearticleprovisions;


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i.e.Art.5„Whenestablishingandimplementingmaritimespatialplanning,MemberStatesshallconsidereconomic,socialandenvironmentalaspectstosupportsustainabledevelopmentandgrowthinthemaritimesector,applyinganecosystem-basedapproach,andtopromotethecoexistenceofrelevantactivitiesanduses.”Therefore,theecosystem-basedapproachmustbeatthecoreoftheMSPprocess.Atthesametime,theecosystem-basedapproachisthebaseoftheMarineStrategyFrameworkDirective(MSFD)whichforeseesthateachMemberStatedevelopsastrategyforachievingormaintainingtheGoodEnvironmentalStatus(GES)oftheMarineEnvironmentby2020.AchievingtheGESis,atthesametime,thegoalofEcAp–theMediterranean-wideprocessadoptedbytheBCCOP17DecisionIG.20/4,thatisfullyincoherencewiththeEUMSFD,andassuchisstreamlinedintoallMAPpolicies.

Theecosystem-basedapproachalsoplaysaroleofalinkbetweenMSPandMSFD.Itisarticulatedessentiallyontwolevels:

1) Thestrategiclevel,representedbytheintegrationandapplicationofthemeasuresandobjectivessetoutintheMSFD,whichrepresentstheIntegratedMaritimePolicyEnvironmentalPillarandisthereforetheinterconnectionandinterrelationshipbetweendifferentsectoralregulations.

2) Thefunctional–procedurallevel,consistingoftheapplicationoftheSEADirectiveworkingtools,asamethodologythatcanconcretelyarticulatethewaytheecosystem-basedapproachneedstobeintegratedandusedtodefinetheMSPplans.

IntheMediterranean,EcApistheoverarchingguidingprincipletoallpolicyimplementationanddevelopmentundertakenundertheauspicesoftheUNEnvironment/MAPBarcelonaConvention.EcApistobeintegratedinallofitspoliciesandactivitiesasitmakesexplicitthelinkbetweenthestatusofnaturalresourcesystemsandservicestheyprovide;itseekstomaintaintheintegrityandfunctioningofecosystemsasawhole;andrecognizesthattheimpactsofhumanactivitiesareamatterofsocialchoice.

EcApreferstoaspecificprocessundertheUNEnvironment/MAPBarcelonaConvention,asitsContractingPartieshavecommittedtoimplementtheecosystem-basedapproachintheMediterraneanwiththeultimateobjectiveofachievingthegoodenvironmentalstatus(GES)oftheMediterraneanSeaandCoast.ThisprocessaimstoachieveGESthroughinformedmanagementdecisions,basedonintegratedquantitativeassessmentandmonitoringofthemarineandcoastalenvironmentoftheMediterranean.

MainstreamingtheEcApprocessintotheworkofUNEnvironment/MAPBarcelonaConventionandachievingtheGESoftheMediterraneanSeaandCoastthroughtheEcApprocesshavebeensupportedbytheEU-fundedprojectsEcAp-Med14(2012-2015)andEcAp-MedII15(2015-2018).

14ImplementationoftheEcosystemApproachintheMediterraneanbytheContractingPartiesintheContextoftheBarcelonaConventionfortheProtectionoftheMarineEnvironmentandtheCoastalregionoftheMediterraneananditsProtocols.

15Mediterraneanimplementationoftheecosystemapproach,incoherencewiththeEUMSFD.


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ThroughDecisionIG.17/6theCPstotheBarcelonaConventionhavecommittedtoprogressivelyapplyEcAptothemanagementofhumanactivitieswiththegoalofeffectingarealchangeintheMediterraneanmarineandcoastalenvironment.DecisionIG.17/6outlinesaroadmapfortheimplementationofEcAp,consistingofseveralsubsequentsteps,suchasthedevelopmentofecologicalobjectives,operationalobjectivesandrespectiveindicators,thedevelopmentofGESdescriptorsandtargets,monitoringprogrammes,andfinallythenecessarymanagementmeasuresandprogrammestoachieveGES.

DecisionIG.20/4on„ImplementingtheEcosystemApproachRoadmap”,followinguponDecisionIG.17/6,validatedtheworkdonesofarregardingthe11ecologicalobjectives,operationalobjectivesandindicatorsfortheMediterranean.ItalsomandatedtheSecretariattoprepareanEcApMonitoringProgramme,todetermineGESandtargetsandtoprepareanin-depthsocio-economicanalysisofhumanactivitiesthatimpacton,orbenefitfrom,thequalityandecologicalhealthofcoastalandmarineecosystems.Finally,itaskedtointegrateEcApintheoverallworkofUNEnvironment/MAPBarcelonaConventionandmandatedtheSecretariattoestablishanEcApgovernanceframework.

Asmostrelevantmilestoneofthe18thOrdinaryMeetingoftheContractingParties(COP18,Istanbul,2013),DecisionIG.21/3onthe„EcosystemApproachincludingadaptingdefinitionsofGoodEnvironmentalStatus(GES)andtargets”(theEcApDecision)expressestheagreementonregionallycommontargets,listsofindicatorstoachieveGESintheMediterranean,andanintegratedlistofMediterraneanGES,targetsandindicators(seeTable3).

Table3:GESandtargetsadoptedbyCOP18,UNEP(DEPI)/MEDIG.21/9–DecisionIG.21/3.Source:SPA/RACwebsite.

EO Indicators GESdefinitions Targets

1.Biodiversity 15 17 302.Nonindigenousspecies 4 4 65.Eutrophication 5 5 107.Hydrography 5 4 48.Coast 3 3 39.Pollution 6 6 910.Marinelitter 3 2 3

AspecifictimelinewasadoptedinthisEcApDecisiononhowtodevelopandimplementanIntegratedMediterraneanMonitoringandAssessmentProgrammebythe19thMeetingoftheContractingParties,followingthe6-yearEcApcyclesstructure(withsecondEcApcycleintheMediterraneanof2016-2021).ItwasalsoagreedthataftertheinitialphaseofimplementationoftheIntegratedMonitoringandAssessmentProgramme(2016-2019),thedraftIntegratedMediterraneanMonitoringandAssessmentProgramme(IMAP)willbereviewedandincasenecessaryamended,inlightoflessonslearntduringthefirstyearsofitsimplementation(seeFigure3).


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Figure3:CalendaroftheEcApimplementationprocess.

Source:SPA/RACwebsite.

Furthermore,aconsiderablenumberofsectorialpoliciesandrelatedtoolshavebeendevelopedwithintheBCsystemaddressingpollution,biodiversity,socio-economicaspects,marinelitter,keyeconomicsectors,etc.,whoseimplementationcontributetotheprotectionofthecoastalzone.

AchievingEcologicalObjectives(EOs)andGESrequiresanintegratedapproachinordertoaddresscombinedpressuresandcumulativeimpactsincoastalandmarineareas.TheICZMProtocolprovidesforreachingGES,inparticularwithregardtothetargetssuchas:

i) negativeimpactsduetonewstructurewithnoinfluenceonthelargerscalecoastalsystem;

ii) physicaldisturbancetosandycoastalareasinducedbyhumanactivitiesshouldbeminimized;

iii)naturaldynamicnatureofcoastlinesisrespected,andcoastalareasareingoodcondition;and

iv) integrityanddiversityofcoastalecosystem,landscapes,andtheirgeomorphologyarepreserved.

Infact,theICZMProtocolunderlinestheecosystemapproachasoneofitsleadingprinciples.Therefore,itisnotsurprisingthatthesameprofoundrelationshipexistsbetweenICZMandtheEcApprocess.TheICZMProtocolconstitutestheidealinstrumenttopromoteandputintopracticeEcApinthecoastalzones.AchievingEOsandaGESrequiresanintegratedapproachinordertoaddresscombinedpressures


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andcumulativeimpactsinmarineandcoastalareas.ICZMprovidestheadequatetoolstoaddresstheseissuesincoastalzonesandpromotesconsensusamongallpartiesinvolvedintheuseofcoastalresources,whileMSPdoesthesameformarineareas.TheybothapplyStrategicEnvironmentalAssessment(SEA)andEnvironmentalImpactAssessment(EIA)andtakeintoaccountcumulativeimpactsthatcannotbeaddressedthroughsectoralapproachesandregulations.

TheecosystemapproachasaconceptfortheintegratedmanagementofMPAsensuresabalancebetweenequitableconservationandsustainableuseofcoastalandmarineresourcesinordertoachieveandmaintaintheconnectivitybetweentheterrestrialandmarinesideofthecoastalareaandbetweenMPAsandthesurroundingcoastalandmarinearea.SuccessfulintegrationofICZM-MSPandMPAsdependsonsustainedmanagementprocessesandprogramsthatwillproduceperceivedbenefitsandtangibleresultsfromthefieldthatcontributetoimprovedqualityoflifeandecosystemintegrity.Tothisend,ICZM-MSPisarelevantframeworktoinitiateandmaintainanopendialogue,involvingallthestakeholders,regardingtheidentificationofthreatsandopportunitiesaffectingthemanagementofMPAs.EcologicallycoherentnetworksofMPAswithinICZM-MSPapproachprovideaspatialmanagementtooltoprioritizebiodiversityconservationandensuremaintenanceandenhancementofenvironmentalgoodsandservices,whichareessentialobjectivesofICZMandMSP.

OnemuststressthefactthatICZMgoesbeyondtheGESofwaters(marineorsurface)andecosystems.Therefore,thereisaneedtoexpandtheEcAptoincludeadditionalobjectives(orjustindicatorsunderEO8)thatcouldbefocusedonachievingGESofthelandpartofthecoastalzone,inamannercorrespondingtorequirementsand/orspecificarticlesoftheICZMProtocol.

IdentificationofprocessesandcriteriaforintegrationoftheEcAp,ICZMandMSPisimportant.AsmentionedintheCFforMSP,therelationshipbetweenEcApandMSPisinfactatwo-wayrelation,asthesecondcancontributetotheoverallobjectiveofachievingtheGES,alsothroughtheidentificationofrelatedspatialmeasures.Suchplanningofmaritimeactivitycan:

§ reducemarine-basedsourceofpressureaffectingthemarineenvironmentthroughspatialefficiencyandcontroloftemporaldistributionofhumanactivities;

§ reduceconflictsbetweenmaritimeusesandprotectionofareaswithhighnaturalisticandecologicalrelevance;

§ identifyareastobeprotectedinordertopreserveprocessesandfunctionsthatareessentialinachievingtheGES;

§ identifyenvironmentalhotspotareasatseawheremoreintensemeasuresarenecessary;§ avoidunsustainableusesinprotectedareasandidentifysynergiesthatcanprovidewin-to-win

solutionsforsocio-economicdevelopmentandenvironmentalprotection;

§ identifyconnectingelementsamongrelevanthabitatsthroughbluecorridors.


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4. KeyissuesimportanttoMSPimplementationintheEasternMediterranean

MSPaimstoprevent,solve,oratleastlimit,bothcurrentandfutureconflictscausedbyhumanactivitiesaswellastotakeadvantagesofco-existenceofdifferentmaritimeactivitiesandopportunitiesofco-use/multi-useofthesamemarineareaandresources.ConflictsbetweenusesintheMediterraneanSeaarealreadycausingsignificantenvironmentalproblemsincludingoverexploitationoffishingresources,habitatdegradation,biodiversitylossandinsomeofitsareasenvironmentalpollution.

MainchallengesintheEasternMediterraneanarenotthatdifferentascomparedtothoseintheWesternMediterraneanasregardsMSP.BasedonInitialassessmentperformedbytheSUPREMEproject(SUPREME,2017),differencesinpracticebetweenthetwopartsofthebasinappearmostlyforthefollowingreasonscharacterisingtheEasternMediterraneancountries:

§ ThesouthernEuropeanMediterraneancountriesarenotallofthemmembersoftheEU;therefore,theydonotallsharethesocalled„acquiscommunautaire”(theaccumulatedlegislation,legalacts,andCourtdecisionswhichconstitutethebodyoftheEuropeanUnionlaw).

§ EasternMediterraneanEU-MSaremuchlesshomogenousthantheWesternMediterraneanEU-MSasregardstheireconomyandinstitutions.

§ Thereisnotfullgeographicalcontinuityand/orvicinitythatwouldalloworencourageEasternMediterraneancountriestotakejointventuresforthemarineenvironmentandspatialplanning.Yet,theyhaveagoodandlong-standingexperienceinsharingmethodologiesandnegotiatingregionalrelatedpoliciesthankstotheBarcelonaConventionsystemaswellasEUSAIR.

§ TheContinentalShelfofmostofthemisnotdelimitatedbyagreements(UNCLOS,Art.83).

§ EEZhasnotbeendeclaredsofarinmostoftheEasternMediterraneancountries.§ TherearedifferencesamongtheEasternMediterraneancountriesregardingavailabilityand

accessibilityofrelateddata.

ThesedifferencesaffectthewaythatthemajorissuesareexperiencedintheEasternMediterraneanandnottheissuesthemselves.ThemajoraspectsofMSPthatoccurinbothpartsoftheMediterraneanarefurtherelaboratedinthefollowingchapters.

4.1UNEnvironment/MAP’sEcosystemApproach

TheEcosystemApproach(EcAp)isanoverarchingprinciple,guidingtheimplementationofallpoliciesundertakenundertheauspicesofUNEnvironment/MAPBarcelonaConvention,withtheultimateobjectiveofachievingtheGoodEnvironmentalStatus(GES)oftheMediterraneanSeaandCoast.TheimplementationoftheEcosystemApproachRoadmap,asadoptedbytheBCCOP15DecisionIG.17/6,includingthroughtheadoptionofelevenecologicalobjectivesandcorrespondingGESdefinitions,targetsandindicatorsisinsynergywiththeEUMarineStrategyFrameworkDirective(MSFD),as


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mentionedalreadyinapreviouschapter.Also,theDirective2014/89/EUestablishingaframeworkforMSPclearlyrecallstheimportanceofapplyingtherequirementoftheecosystem-basedapproach(EBA),bothinthepreambleandunderthearticleprovisions,inlinewiththegoalsoftheMSFDaimingtoachievetheGESofEUmarinewaters.Atthesametime,thegoalsofMSFDandEcApmustbeanintegralpartofthestrategicobjectivesofMSP.MSPcanbeconsideredasoneofthetoolstoimplementtheEcAp/EBAasastrategicapproachtowardssustainabledevelopmentintheMediterraneanthatintegratesallofitsthreecomponents,i.e.environmental,socialandeconomicsustainability.MSPshouldguaranteethatthesecomponentsareinbalance.

4.2 LinkstoICZM

AlthoughMSPisnotanalyticallymentionedintheProtocolonICZMintheMediterranean(UNEnvironment/MAP/PAP,2008),itsconceptissomehowrecalledbythesamedocument(Art.2and3;alsoArt.5,6,10and11;seealsochapter3).ThescopeoftheICZMProtocolincludesthemarinearea,withinthelimitsoftheterritorialsea.Therefore,planningoftheseaspacecanbeconsideredaspartoftherequirementsofthelegallybindingICZMProtocol.

ICZMandMSPsharecommonprinciples,howevertheycanbedifferentprocesses,whichstillneedtobecoherentandcomplementary.ICZMcanbedefinedasadynamic,multi-disciplinaryanditerativeprocesstoimplementthesustainablemanagementofcoastalzones.Itstressestheneedforintegration/cooperationamongdifferentgovernancebodiesandpolicysectorsdealingwithandactiveonthecoast,aswellasforinformedparticipationandcooperationofallstakeholders.ThesamecouldbeappliedtoMSPaswell,asregardsthesustainablemanagementofthemarineareas.ICZMmayresultinstrategiesandmanagementplans,anditusuallyleadstotheallocationofspacetospecificactivitiesthroughspatialplanning,inthewaythatMSPdoesforthesea.

Land-seainteractionswerealwaysinthefocusofICZM.However,itsactivitiesinthepastwerefocusedpredominantly(butnotexclusively)onthelandpartofthecoasts.BytheadoptionoftheICZMProtocol,inclusionoftheterritorialseainICZMiscompulsory.MSP,ontheotherhand,doesnotextenditsremitfurtherinlandthanthehigh-watermark,althoughithastotakeland-seainteractionsintoconsideration,aswell.BothICZMandMSPneedafullrangeofprocesses(strategy,planning,management,accompanyingmeasures)andlinksamongthemselvestobeeffective.MSPfacesmoreuncertainties,sincewestillknowlessabouttheseasthanaboutthelandwherewelive,anditisamorecomplexissuegiventhatithastoprovideforthreelevels/dimensions(surface,watercolumnandseabed),thetimefactorbeingimportantforbothICZMandMSP.

Startingfromtheoverarchingprincipleofecosystem-basedapproach,consistencymustbeensuredintheimplementationofMSP,ICZMandMSFD.

4.3 Adaptiveapproach

ThevarietyofdefinitionsoftheMSPisreflectedbythevarietyofavailablemethodologies;i.e.thereisnotasingleapproachfittingtoallmarinecontextsandrespondingtoallstrategicobjectives.MSPshouldbeshapedandbasedonthespecificitiesofindividualmarineareasthatareconcretely


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approachedinitsimplementation.However,therearecommonstepsthatareconsideredinmostofMSPinitiativesandguidingdocuments.

ItiswidelyacknowledgedthatMSPisnotonlyconcernedwithminimisingconflictsbetweenon-goingactivitiesinagivenmaritimespace,butisactuallydesignedtoavoidsuchconflictstohappenanddevelopsynergies,inthefirstinstancebyanticipatingfuturedevelopments.MSPisclearlyafuture-orientedprocess,whichmusttakeinconsiderationpotentialfutureoptionsoftheevolutioninthemarinespaceinquestion,betheyeconomic,technicalorecological,strategicorexternallydriven,orshortorlongterm.Moreover,allexperienceshighlightthatMSPisnotalinearexercisebut(amongotherbecauseitisanewfieldwithahighdegreeofuncertaintyduetomissingknowledgeandexperience)itisaninteractiveprocessaimingtoperiodicallyadaptandimprovethemaritimespatialplansandtheprocessitself,learningfromthemonitoringandevaluation,understandingprosandconsofthepreviousstepsandcycles,andincorporatingintheprocessnewelementsandparametersemerginginfuturestages.Thisapproachmustbeintegratedfromtheoutsetintheplanningprocess,payingalsodueattentiontoworriesexpressedonseveraloccasionsintheEasternMediterraneanbystakeholdersasregardspossibleadditionaluncertaintiesforinvestments.

Theadaptiveapproachalsoenablesdealingwiththeuncertaintyrelatedtothefutureevolutionoftheconsideredmarineareaandthewidercontext,includingtheuncertaintyofclimatechangeeffects.

4.4 Cross-bordercooperationandmulti-scaleapproachtoMSP

AlthoughMSPcanbeseenprimarilyasacountry-basedprocess,cross-bordercooperationisessentialtoensurethattheplansarecoherentandcoordinatedacrossthecoastalzonesandthemarineregionsandthatdevelopmentinitiativesofonecountryarenotjeopardizingsustainabledevelopmentofneighbouringcountries.Thisimpliescooperationatthemethodological(commonmethods,dataandinformationsharing,toolssharing,MSPpracticesexchange,capacitybuilding),strategic(commonvision,sharedprinciplesandpossiblecommonobjectives)andimplementation(e.g.planningofmarineborderingareas,etc.)levels,totheextentpossible.

Moreover,itiswell-knownthataconsiderablenumberofproblemsandchallengeshaveatransboundarydimensionandmightrequiretheadoptionofacommonregionalorsub-regionalapproach.IntheEasternMediterranean,andingeneralintheentireMediterraneanBasin,aspecificgovernanceframeworkhasyettobefullydevelopedforpromotingandsupportingcross-borderandcross-sectorialMSP.Thismusttakeadvantageofexistinginitiatives,startingfromtheBarcelonaConventionframeworkfortheentireMediterranean,andalsoprofitingfromtheexisting(EUSAIR)andupcomingregionalstrategies.Forexample,MSPisclearlyacross-cuttingelementofallthe4pillars(BlueEconomy,Connectingtheregions,Environmentalquality,Sustainabletourism)oftheEUSAIRandtherelatedActionPlan.

DifferentscalesrequiredifferentMSPapproachesandprocesses,inparticularintermsofobjectives,vision/strategy,levelsofanalysis(assessmentofexistingconditions,stocktakingofcurrentmaritimeuses,developmentofscenarios,analysisofcurrentandfutureconflictsandsynergies,analysisofcurrentandfutureimpacts,elaborationoftheplan,etc.).MSPis,therefore,atypicalmulti-scaleprocess,thatneedstotakeintoaccountspecificcountryneedsinitsimplementation.


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4.5 Integration

MSPisacross-cuttingprocess,involvingallsectorsdealingwithmanagementanduseoftheseaanditsresources,andrequiringverticalandhorizontalcooperationamongdifferentinstitutions.EasternMediterraneanEUcountriesareintheprocessofdefiningtheinstitutionalandlegalframeworkrequiredforMSPimplementation.Althoughsignificantstepshavebeenmade,planningandmanagementofmaritimeactivitiesarestillsector-basedandcharacterisedbyfragmentedcompetencesandresponsibilities.Institutionalandlegalprocessesneedtobecontinuedandextendedinnon-EUcountriesofthesub-basin.

4.6 Stakeholderinvolvement

Properandeffectivestakeholderinvolvement(andcommitment,ultimately)shouldbeconsideredasakeyenablingfactorforMSP,inparticularinthevisioning,strategic,evaluation-revisionphases.AsitconstitutesoneofthesensitivepointsfortheimplementationofMSPinseveralEasternMediterraneancountries(eveninsomeEU-MS),existinginitiativesandplatformsforstakeholderinvolvementshouldbeanalysedtoassesswhethertheyareproperandsufficientmodelstobeappliedwithintheformalMSPprocess.Strengthsandweaknessesshouldbeconsequentlyhighlighted.Basedonthisanalysis,existinginitiativesandplatformsforstakeholderengagementshouldbereinforcedandbecomeacommonandinstitutionalisedprocess.Theultimategoalshouldgobeyondstakeholderinvolvementandpursuetheirrealengagement.

4.7 Project-basedinitiativesandMSPpractices

TheMediterraneancontextcanbenefitfromawidenumberofcross-borderprojectsfocusingonMSPorindirectlydealingwithrelatedaspects,eveniffewoftheminvolvenon-Europeancountries.Theproject-basedexperienceiswidefortheEasternMediterranean,andinparticularfortheAdriatic-Ionianregion(e.g.,SHAPE,PlanCoast,CONSTANCE,PEGASO,ADRIPLAN,Coconet,MESMA,MEDTRENDS,MED-IAMER,CO-EVOLVE,AMARE,SECURESEA,PavingtheRoadtoMSPintheMediterranean,etc.).However,uptakeofprojects’resultsbyformalMSPprocessesisstilllimited.

4.8 Dataavailabilityandaccessibility

Dataavailabilityisakeyenablingelementforaknowledge-based,transparentandconscious(e.g.ofuncertaintyandgaps)MSPprocess.SeveraldifferencesintermsofdataavailabilityoccurbetweennorthernandsouthernMediterraneancountries;geological,oceanographicandecologicalfeaturesofsouthernwatersarestillpoorlyknown.Moreover,ingeneralmostknowledgeisavailableformarineareasclosetothecoastline,whiledataonoffshoreareasislimitedorverylimited.UnderstandingtherealdatagapsthatmighthampertheMSPprocessisanimportantissue,notonlyintermsofspatialcoveragebutalsoinrelationtotimeseriesthatareessentialtounderstandevolutionofmarineandmaritimeprocesses.

Inadditiontodataavailabilityperse,ensuringtransparentandopenaccesstoaccurateandcompleteinformationiscertainlyimportantforboth,WesternandEasternMediterraneancountries.Thereisalso


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anobviousneedtoimprovedisseminationofinformationandcross-sectorialknowledge-basedpolicyandplan-making.Evidence-basedMSPrequiresharmonisedandup-to-datemarineandmaritimedata.Indeed,dataavailabilityandinteroprabilityarecross-cuttingelementswhichassumerelevanceforotherissuesaswell,e.g.cross-bordercooperation,stakeholderinvolvement,verticalandhorizontalcooperationandcoordinationwithinacountry.

4.9 SpecificissuesidentifiedwithintheInitialAssessment

Inadditiontotheaboveoverallconsiderations,andthoughoperationalexperienceinMSPinthispartoftheBasinisstilllimited,thefollowingspecifickeyissuesfortheEasternMediterraneanarehighlightedinthe(provisional)countryfactsheetsoftheInitialAssessment(SUPREME,2017):

4.9.1Typesofconflicts–Potentialforsynergies

IntheEasternMediterranean,coastalandmarineareasaresubjecttomanypressuresbecauseofthehighconcentrationofhumanactivitiesandland-usetypes(whichareoftenincompatiblewiththenaturallandscape).

Twomajortypesofconflictsareoccurring:

§ conflictsbetweenhumanusesandthemarineenvironment(user-environmentconflicts),whichinsomecountriesarethepredominanttype;and

§ conflictsamonghumanuses(user-userconflicts)claimingthesamespaceornaturalresourcesandseekingprofit–inmostofthecases,ontheexpensesoftheenvironment.

ThissituationhighlightstheimportanceofMSPastheappropriatetooltoprovidesustainableandintegratedsolutions.ItisinterestingtonotethatthelegislationofsomeoftheEasternMediterraneancountries(likeCroatia,Greece,Slovenia)foreseesalreadythatspatialplanningreferstoboth:landandsea.Spatialplansmusttakeintoaccountregionalpoliciesaswelltrendsthatmightcausepotentialincreasesincoastalconflictsduetothedevelopmentofsomekeysectors(e.g.aquaculture,coastaltourismandenergy)orthedeclineofothers(e.g.intensivefisheries).

Atthesametime,inEasternMediterraneantherehavebeenafewcasesofreportedsynergies:e.g.,fishingforlitter&fishingactivities(Croatia,Slovenia);timelyaddressingthepotentialconflictbetweenmaricultureandothercoastalsectorsinZadarCountybyzoningforeseeninaspatialplan(Croatia).Theimportanceofmobilisingstakeholderstocooperateamongthemselvesforwin-winsolutionshasbeenunderlinedonseveraloccasions.

Additionalpossibilitiesofcomprehensivesolutionsatsub-regionallevelareofferedinthecontextoftheAdriatic-IonianMarco-regionStrategyInitiative(EUSAIR).

4.9.2Governance–Institutionalissues

TheEUMSPDirectivehastriggeredchangesanddevelopmentinthisfield.ThreeEasternMediterraneanEUMShavealreadycompletedthetranspositionprocess(Croatia,CyprusandItaly),one(Slovenia)


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considersthattheDirectiveprovisionsarecoveredbypreviouslyexistingnationallegislation,onemore(Greece)hasdraftedthelawneededbutithasnotyetbeenapprovedbytheirrespectiveParliament.

AlmostallEasternMediterraneanEUcountrieshavereportedinoneortheotherwaythatpoliciesappliedarefragmentary,aswellastheactionsofthedifferentsectoralauthorities,whilethereareoftenbureaucraticbehaviours.MSPcouldprovideaplatformforlong-termstrategicvisioning,in-timereactionstovariousMSPrelatedchallengesandpossiblesynergies.

Somecountriesexpressedtheviewthattheissuesrelatedtothemaritimeplanningshouldbefocusedondevelopmentofthecomprehensiveandcoherentlongterm,multi-levelandcross-sectoralgovernancestructures.Infact,puttinginplaceappropriatecooperationschemesandconsultation/participationprocessesisaprerequisitetoensurecoordination,consensusandsynergies.

Itisworthytonotethat,intheprocessoftransposition,ItalyhassetoutaTechnicalCommittee,chairedbytheMinistryofInfrastructureandTransport(asaCompetentAuthority)andcomposedofrepresentativesoftheMinistriesinvolved.Itoverseestheelaborationofthemaritimespatialplansforeachmarinesub-region,inaccordancetotheguidelinestobedevelopedbytheInter-MinisterialCoordinationTableforMaritimeSpatialPlanningsetoutbyaLegislativeDecree.Maritimespatialplansforeachmarinesub-regionwillbeapprovedbytheInter-MinisterialCoordinationTableforMaritimeSpatialPlanningby31December2020.TheInter-MinisterialCoordinationTableforMaritimeSpatialPlanningmonitorsandevaluatesthecompatibilityandcomplementaritybetween:

a) theplanningprocessasdefinedwithintheguidelines;and

b) themaritimespatialplansdevelopedbytheTechnicalCommittee.

4.9.3Transboundarycooperation

Maintransboundaryissuesincludesectorslikemaritimetourism,transportation,energyproduction,fishingactivities,andextractionofnon-livingresources.Also,severaltransboundaryissuesarerelatedtoadministrativeandcooperationsector.

Themostimportanttrans-boundaryissuesandconcernsforCroatia,Greece,ItalyandSloveniaaresummarisedinTable4.

MostoftheEasternMediterraneancountrieshavealreadyagreementssignedandexperienceofcooperationwithsomeoralltheirneighbours.Yet,therearestillinsomepartsofthesub-regionpendingissuesandsensitiveareascausingdisputesandcallingforsolutions.ThecontinentalshelfofsomecountrieshasnotbeendelimitatedbyagreementsandmostofthecountrieshavenotyetproclaimedanEEZ(seeChapter3.2.2).Withallduerespecttothedifficultiesandfullyrecognisingthattheseissuesaretoberesolvedindifferentcontexts,onecannotavoidpointingoutthatafutureproclamationoftheirEEZbytheEasternMediterraneancountrieswouldfacilitateconsiderablytransboundarycooperationontechnicalissuesandimplementationoftheMSPDirective.

Moreover,althoughnotdirectlypertinenttoMSP,theprocessofmaritimespatialplanningintheMediterraneanwillhavetotakeintoconsiderationtheurgentneedforcooperationinthesectorofsafetyatsea,havingadditionalcharacteristicstheselastyearsduetothepresentmigrationandrefugees’crisis.


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Table4:Transboundaryissues,asreportedintheInitialAssessment.Source:(SUPREME,2017)

ItalyMaintransboundaryissuesincludesectorslike:§ maritimetourism;§ transportation;§ shipping;§ energyproduction;§ fishingactivities;and§ extractionofnon-livingresources.

Greece§ Definitionoflimits/borders(international,

national,administrativeetc),sothatjurisdictionsinthemarinespacecanbecomeclear;

§ Continuityandcompatibilityofspatialplansincrossborderareas;

§ Internationalenergynetworksandmaritimetransportationnetworks;

§ Pollutionderivingfromeconomicactivities(andtechnologicaldisastersrelatedtothem),spreadinginanunpredictablewaytowardsalldirections,duetothenatureofthesea;

§ Resourceoverexploitation(oflivingornon-livingorganisms)resultinginterritorialinequalitiesamongcrossborderareasandprofessionals;

§ Inefficientecosystemreservation:resultingingreatlossofecosystemservices,affectingallsides.

CroatiaThemostimportanttrans-boundaryissuesandconcernsareenvironmentaleffectsof:§ agriculture;§ industry;§ shipping;§ fisheries;§ tourismandtransportationofoilvessels.

Slovenia§ Maritimetransport(ballastwaters,underwater

noise);§ Marinelitter.


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5. SUPREMEproposalsontheintegrationofprinciplesoftheBarcelonaConventionfortheMSPimplementation

TakingintoconsiderationsrecentinitiativesamongCPswithintheframeworkofBarcelonaConventionsystem,itisclearthattheMSPactivitiesintheMediterraneanshouldbeimplementedinthelightoftheBarcelonaConvention’smainobjectives,whichareto(UNEnvironment/MAP,2015):

§ ensuresustainablemanagementofnaturalmarineandcoastalresources;

§ integratetheenvironmentinsocialandeconomicdevelopment;§ protectthemarineenvironmentandcoastalzonesthroughpreventionandreductionof

pollution,andasfaraspossible,eliminationofpollution,whetherlandorsea-based;

§ protectthenaturalandculturalheritage;§ strengthensolidarityamongMediterraneancoastalStates;§ contributetoimprovementofthequalityoflife.

Figure4:KeyissuescomposingacommonframeforMSPimplementation

intheEasternMediterraneansub-basin

EightkeyissuesrelevantforMSPimplementationintheEasternMediterraneanhavebeenidentifiedanddescribedinchapter4.ProposalsforimplementationofMSPintheframeoftheBarcelonaConventionareillustratedbelowforeachoftheeightissues.AnadditionalissuedealingwithprocessesandtoolsfortheassessmentofenvironmentaleffectsoftheMSPplanisalsoconsidered,includingspecificproposalsforitsimplementation.Theentiresetofproposalshasbeendevelopedconsidering


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alsothespecificinputprovidedbytheInitialAssessmentperformedwithintheSUPREMEprojectandsummarisedinparagraph4.9.TheseproposalsarefullyinlinewiththeConceptualFrameworkforMSP,adoptedatCOP20(Tirana,2017).IdentifiedproposalsarespecificallymeanttoinformSUPREMEprojectandinvolvedpartnersonpossibleapproachestowardsimplementationofMSPintheframeworkofBC.Althoughtheimportanceofeachspecificissuemayvaryfromlocationtolocation,allofthemareconsideredrelevantfortheimplementationofMSPinEasternMediterranean.Indeed,theyaremutuallyinterrelated(Figure4above).SUPREMEcasestudiescouldtestasub-setoftheidentifiedproposals,focusingonthoseapplicableatcasestudyscaleandmorerelevantforthespecificcharacteristicsofthecasestudygeographicarea.

5.1UNEnvironment/MAP’sEcosystemApproach

IntheMediterranean,ecosystemapproach(EcAp;orEBAaccordingthelanguageoftheMSFDandtheMSPDirective)istheoverarchingguidingprincipletoallpolicyimplementationanddevelopmentundertakenundertheauspicesofUNEnvironment/MAPBarcelonaConvention.Therefore,EcAp/EBAshouldguideMSPimplementationintheEasternMediterranean,too.

Morepragmatically,EcApcanbereflectedinMSPatthreestages(MourmourisA.etal.,PAP/RAC,2016):

§ Whendefiningtheareatobemanaged,byensuringtheintegrityofecosystemsandthenecessarybufferzonesandcorridors;

§ WhencontributingtoGES,byensuringcompatibilityoflocatedlandandseausesandlimitsofallowedpressures,aswellasobservingtherespectiveGESdescriptorsandindicators;

§ WhenapplyingEcosystem-BasedManagement(EBM),byrespectingecosystemsdiversityandconnections,evaluatingecosystemsservices,addressingcumulativeimpacts,assessingtrade-offs,applyingadaptivemanagement,networkingandusingappropriatetoolsandmeasures.

Tothisend,EcApindicatorsalreadyapprovedbytheCPsshouldbeusedattheappropriatestages.

ThiscanimplythefollowingspecificproposalsinordertosupporttheMSPimplementation:

§ EstablishclearlinksbetweenMSPobjectivesandecologicalobjectives,targetsandindicatorsdefinedwithinEcApandMSFDimplementationprocesses,alsoapproachingtheissueinacross-borderperspectiveatthescaleoftheentireEasternMediterranean,asfaraspossible.

§ Asfaraspossible,delimittheplanningandmanagementareainordertofacilitatetheassessmentandmanagementofthetwomajortypesofconflictsidentified:conflictsbetweenhumanusesandthemarineenvironment(user-environmentconflicts)andconflictsamonghumanuses(user-userconflicts).ApplicationofEcApdoesnotstopatsea,itinvolveslandtoo.TakingEcApinconsiderationintheMSPprocessalsoimpliesastrongfocusonland-seainteractions(LSI)andinparticularoninteractionsamongterrestrialandmarineecosystems,habitatsandspecies.

§ ConsiderinthefutureMSPplans,thebestavailablescientificknowledgeabouttheecosystemanditsdynamics,andassessmajorinformationgapsandrelateduncertainties.

§ Togetherwithmapsofmaritimeuses,producemapsofkeydescriptorsoftheecosystemandenvironmentalstatusofthesea.Usethesemapsintheplanningprocessofmaritimeusesto:


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analyseconflictswithenvironmentalprotectiongoals,identifymarineareastobepreservedandprotected,andoptimizespaceallocationformaritimeuses.

§ Identifyandpossiblymap(basedondataavailability)theecosystemservicesprovidedbythemarineareaandassesshowtheysupportmaritimeactivities.

§ Evaluateimpactsofhumanactivitiesontheecosystem,as:directandindirect,cumulative,shortandlong-term,permanentandtemporary,positiveandnegativeeffects,alsotakingland-seainteractioninconsideration.

5.2 LinkstoICZM

MSPandICZMshouldbelinkedasmuchaspossible,andinanycaseshouldbeconsistentandcomplementary,sincetheybothseektoaddresstheproblemsoffragmentedgovernanceincoastalandmarineareasandsharesimilarprinciples,e.g.thesustainablemanagementanddevelopmentofcoastal-marineareas,thesustainableuseofmarineresources,theimportanceofstakeholderparticipation,etc.CoordinatedimplementationofMSPandICZMshouldbeensured,includingreferencetoEcAp.Theymayworktogetherinaddressingcommonissuesaslocalsocio-economicdevelopmentofcoastalcommunitiesornatureprotectionacrossland-sea.

ThereisanevidentoverlappingofthepotentialgeographicalscopeofICZM(asdefinedbytheProtocolonICZMintheMediterranean)andMSP(asdefinedbytheDirective2014/89/EU):bothincludeterritorialsea.Inthisperspective,MSPcanbeconsideredthemaintool/processfortheimplementationofICZMinthemarinepartofthecoastalzone,alsotoavoidthisoverlappingbecominganobstacle.Asarguedinchapter3,itshouldbestressedagainthattheapplicationofMSP,withintheframeworkandthegeographicscopeoftheICZMProtocol,canandshouldcontributetothegoalsdefinedbyotherProtocolsoftheBarcelonaConvention,asinthecaseofidentification,planningandmanagementofprotectedareasaccordingtotheSPA/BDProtocol.MSPshouldalsoconsidertargets,actionsandmeasuressetbyActionPlansmentionedinBox2thathaveanimpactontheactivitiesundertakenatsea.

OverallitshouldbehighlightedthattheconsiderationsonthepropermethodofintegrationbetweenICZMandMSPwillbeafundamentalpartoftheactivitiestobecarriedoutinthebiennium2018-2019,duringtheprocessofdefinitionoftheCommonRegionalFrameworkonICZMandoftheConceptualFrameworkforMSP.

Understandingandaddressingland-seainteractions(LSI)iscrucialtoensuresustainablemanagementanddevelopmentofcoastalareasandcoherentplanningoflandandsea-basedactivities.LSIshouldbetakenonboardwhendealingwithMSP,takingintoconsiderationthetwomaintypologiesofinteractions:interactionsrelatedtoland-seanaturalprocessesandinteractionsamonglandandseausesandactivities.Otherrelevantaspects,whichneedtobemanagedandbalancedwhendealingwithLSI,areinteractionsamongpeople(tradition,culture,expertise,education,etc.)andinteractionsofplanningprocessesandplans(andresponsibleinstitutions)forlandandseaareas.CategorizationofLSIelementscanhelpinstructuringproblemsunderstanding,howeveranintegratedperspectiveisrequiredtoaddressallaspectsofLSI.TemporaldynamicofinteractionsisanotherimportantaspecttobetakenonboardinMSP;thisisparticularlyrelevantwhendealingwithnaturalprocessesacrossthecoastinterface.


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5.3 Adaptiveapproach

MSPshouldbeafuture-orientedprocessandshouldbebasedonanadaptiveapproach.Analysisofalternativeoptionsoffuturedevelopmentofthemarineareainquestionandrelatedeffectsonplanningofmarineandmaritimeactivities(includingminimisationofconflictsandcapitalizationofsynergies)areessentialcomponentoftheMSPprocess.Moreover,monitoring,evaluation(alsousingperformanceandresultindicators)andrevisionstepsshouldbepartoftheprocesssinceitsbeginning.ThisimpliesthefollowingsuggestionsfortheMSPimplementation:

§ Promoteactiveadaptivemanagement,whichincludestheevaluationandcomparisonofalternativehypothesis(basedonforecasts,scenarios,differentvisionsandstrategicelements)aboutthefutureevolutionoftheconsideredmarinearea.ActiveadaptivemanagementcanbeveryusefulwhenstrategiesandplansforfuturedevelopmentofsectorsaffectedbyMSParenotdefinedorknown,thusenablingtomanageuncertaintyofthefuture.

§ Developprocess(alsoknownasgovernance)indicatorsaimedatevaluatingtheMSPprocesscompletenessandefficiency.

§ DevelopoutputandimpactindicatorslinkedtoclearobjectivesoftheMSPprocess.Theindicatordevelopmentprocessincludesthedefinitionof:sourcesofinformation,includingtheanalysisofdatacoverageandgaps;baselines;andtargetvalues.ItisimportantfocusingonthoseindicatorswhoseevolutiondependsdirectlyontheMSPPlanimplementation.OtherindicatorswhichdonotfollowwithinthedirectcontrolofMSPauthoritiesmightbeusefultodepicttheoverallcontext.

§ Inanycase,thesystemof(process,outputandimpact)indicatorsunderpinningtheadaptiveapproachshouldbetransparenttoallowproperstakeholderinvolvement,alsointheevaluationphaseoftheMSPplan.

§ Adoptamedium/long-termperspectivetoproperlydealwiththestrategicnatureofMSPandallowtoplaninananticipatorymanner,implement,adaptandplanactionsagainoveraperiodlongenoughtogetconcreteresults.

§ ClimatechangeandrelateduncertaintiesshouldbeconsideredintheMSPprocessandmainstreamedintheMSPplans.Thisimpliestotakeintoaccount:

i) theassessmentofclimatechangeimpactsonthemarineecosystemandresources;ii) theevaluationofclimatechangevulnerabilityofcurrentandfuturehumanactivities;iii)thepossibleinclusionofmitigationactionsintotheMSPplan;and

iv)theidentificationofspecificactionsaimingtoimprovetheadaptationcapacityoftheplanandthespecificmeasuresitincludes.

5.4 Cross-bordercooperationandmulti-scaleapproachtoMSP

MSPshouldbeapproachedatdifferentscales(fromtheMediterraneanBasintosub-nationallevel),combiningtop-downandbottom-upapproaches(andastrategicphasewithoperationalapplications):

§ Mediterraneanscaleaddressingtheentireseabasinthroughcooperationamongcountries(boththeEUandnon-EUMemberStates,totheextentpossible)intheframeoftheBarcelonaConventiontoapproachthestrategiclevelofMSP,including:§ Identificationofelementsforacommonvisionandrelatedobjectives;


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§ Identificationofpriorityareas(e.g.NorthernAdriaticSea,SouthernAdriaticandOtrantochannel,AegeanSea)affectedbytransboundaryproblems;

§ IdentificationofproblemstobeapproachedalsothroughMSPinatransboundarydimension,forexample:managementofinternationalmaritimetransport,sustainablemanagementoffisheryactivitiesandfishingresources,biodiversityprotectionandecosystempreservation,regulatedextractionofnon-livingresources,marinepollution(derivingfrombothland-andsea-basedsources),reductionofriskofshipcollisionsandenvironmentalaccidents;

§ Identificationofinitiatives(e.g.projects)toaddresstransboundaryareasandissues.

Overall,transboundarycooperationamongCPsintheframeworkoftheBarcelonaConventionisfundamentalinordertoaddressMSPintheMediterraneanSeaatstrategiclevel.

§ Sub-regionalscale–whererelevantandpossible–approachingtransboundaryMSPissues(elementsforacommonvision,objectives,prioritiesandinitiatives)insub-Mediterraneanregions(theentireEasternMediterraneanormorelikelysomeofitssub-areas:Adriatic,Ionian,AegeanandLevantineSeas),alsolinkingtosub-regionalstrategiesandplans(EUSAIRinparticular)forcoordinatedimplementation.BoththeMediterraneanandsub-basinaretheproperscalestostartthepossibleapproaching,planningandmanagementofABNJ,beingawareofthecomplexityoftheissue.

§ Nationalscale,fullyimplementingtheMSPprocess–accordingtocommonprinciplesandcoherentlywiththeregionalandsub-regionalapproaches–inmarineareasfallingwithinnationaljurisdiction.

§ Sub-nationalandlocalscales,fosteringMSPapplicationsaimingtoprovideevidenceofconcreteandvisibleenvironmental,socialandeconomicbenefitsofMSP,alsothroughpilotprojects.Activitiesatthesub-nationaland/orlocalscaleshouldalsoconsiderfocusesonpriority(hot-spot)areas,suchas:highlyvulnerableareas,areaswithmajorconflictsamonguses,areaswithhighpotentialforsynergiesamongusesandmulti-useopportunities.

Multi-scaleapproachcouldbereflectedinamulti-governancesystemforMSP,includingacoordinationmechanismattheMediterraneanlevel(e.g.usingandadaptingtheexperienceoftheHelcom-VASABMSPWorkingGroupcreatedfortheBalticSea),withintheframeprovidedbytheBarcelonaConvention16,and,ifneeded,atthescaleofspecificsub-regions,asinparticulartheAdriatic-IonianRegion,takingadvantageofthewell-establishedcooperationintheareaandprofitingfromtheEUSAIRInitiative.

5.5 Integration

Effortstoidentify,strengthenand/orempowermechanismsforhorizontalandverticalcoordinationonMSPatthecountrylevelshouldcontinueandbeimproved.Reinforcedcoordinationshouldconsiderthefollowingaspects:

§ Defineclearlyresponsibilities,aswellasthedecisionmakingandtheconsultation/participatoryprocesses.Inthisrespect,itisnecessarytomapthedifferent(national,sub-nationalandlocal)authoritiesinvolvedintheprocessandclarifyrespectivecompetences.

16TakingintoaccountthatintheMediterraneannotallthecountriesareMemberStatesoftheEU(thuswithcomparablelegislation),butallarePartiesoftheBarcelonaConvention,whichisaninternationallegalinstrumentandthereforelessbindingthantheEUlaw.


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§ Support/strengthenestablishmentofecosystem-basedgovernancesetting,enablingintegrationofconcernsandinterestsacrosssectors,governmentallevelsandstakeholders.

§ TheintegrationofsectoralpoliciesandobjectivesinasinglecomprehensiveintegratedMSPprocessandplan.Integrationamongsectorsisneededtogobeyondsectorpolicies,plansandregulations.

§ MSPshouldprovideaplatformforlong-termstrategicvisioning,whichstrictlyreliesonvertical,horizontalandcross-sectorintegrationandisanessentialelementinfluencingtheentireMSPprocess.

§ Encouragegradualchangeofbehaviourinawin-winperspective,atalllevels.BesideswithintheoverallMSPprocess(seesection5.6),stakeholderscouldbemobilisedtoimprovecooperationonspecificaspectsaimingtodevelopsynergiesandwin-wininitiatives,asforexampledevelopmentofsustainableformsoftourisminmarineprotectedareasalsoprovidingeconomicresourcesformonitoringandenvironmentalprotectionactivitiesorfishingforlitterinitiativesinvolvingfishermen.

§ Placeparticularattentiontosecureintegrationofplanningandmanagementoftheseaandlandcomponentsofthecoastalarea(land-seaintegration).

5.6 Stakeholdersinvolvement

Existingstakeholderinvolvementinitiativesorplatformshouldbereinforcedandbecomecommonandformalisedpracticesratherthanastand-aloneexperience.Incaseofmajorgapsandweakness,newinitiativesshouldbeputinplace.Improvingstakeholderinvolvementandencouragingtheirfutureengagementshouldimply:

§ EstablishmentofsubstantiallinkstotheMSPprocess;§ Involvementoflegitimatestakeholdersrepresentingallrelevantcategories(publicauthoritiesat

differentlevels,researchinstitutions,civilsociety,businesssectors,etc.);§ Involvementofkeyactorsofrelevantcategoriesthatcanreallycontributetothevarioussteps

oftheMSPprocess;§ Visibilityoftherealadded-valueoftheinvolvementprocess;§ Transparent,openandinclusiveinformationsharing;

§ Coherencewithotherinvolvementprocesses(e.g.ICZM,SEA,EcAporMSFD)alsotoavoidexcessivepressureonthesamestakeholderarena,orunnecessaryoverloadonthecoordinatingauthorities.


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5.7 Project-basedinitiativesandMSPpractices

UptakeofvaluableprojectresultsbyformalMSPprocessesshouldbestrengthenedtocapitalizedevelopedknowledgeandtools.Thiscanimply:

§ IdentifyknowledgegapsandneedsofformalMSPprocessesintheEasternMediterraneantofurtherdevelopingcross-borderMSP-relatedprojects,progressivelybuildingonpreviousprojects’resultsasexperiencedintheAdriatic-Ionianregion(PlanCoast,SHAPE,Adriplan,andSUPREME).Usethisprojects’chaintodeliverknowledge,tools,methodologies,andcontentsusefulfortheformalMSPprocesses.

§ ImproveuptakeofprojectresultsandoutputsbyformalMSPprocesses,e.g.throughdedicatedworkshops,directsupportfromprojecttoformalMSPprocesses,identification,descriptionandsharingofMSPpractices(tools,guidelines,methodologies,pilotplans,studies,etc.).

§ StrengthenlinkswiththeEUMSPPlatform,aimingtosupportEUcountriesinimplementingtheMSPDirective,primarilybysharingknowledgeandpractices.Mechanismstoimprovetransferofknowledgeandpracticesshouldbereinforced.

§ Improveinvolvementofnon-EUcountriesinMSP-relatedprojectstostrengthenexchangesofgoodpracticeandmutualcapacitybuildingandtofosterMSPprocessesinsuchcountries.

5.8 Dataavailabilityandaccessibility

Dataavailabilityandaccessibilityarekeyenablingelementsforaknowledge-based,transparentandconsciousprocessofmarinespaceplanning.However,effortsondatagatheringshouldbeproperlytargetedonrealMSPneedstoavoidtheprocesstakingtoomuchtimeandusingtoomanyresources.Suggestionsforthisissueare:

§ IdentifythespecificgapsthatmighthamperMSPandthatrequirespecificactions.Somespecificknowledgeareasmightmeritparticularattention,asforexampleuseofsocio-economicdataintheMSPprocessthatstillneedimprovement,indeednotonlyintheEasternMediterranean.Informationgaprelatedtofishstockandfisheryimpactisanotherexample.The2017MediterraneanQualityStatusReportcanbeanimportantsourceofinformationhighlightingkeydatagapsinrelationtoallthe11EcApEcologicalObjectivesandindicators.

§ Focusonthecollectionofdataandinformation,whicharereallyessentialforMSP.Dataiscrucial.Theupdatingprocessofthenationalmonitoringandassessmentprogrammeswhichisinprogress,inlinewithIMAP,willsignificantlycontributetothecollectionandreportingofquality-assuredandregionallycomparabledata.

§ Takeintoconsiderationanyformof„goodquality”knowledge.Thiscomesprimarilyfromscientificsourcesandinstitutionalizedmonitoringactivitiesanddatasets,butshouldalsocapitalizeprivatesourcesofdataand,whereappropriate,utilisationofcitizenscience.QualitycheckofdataandinformationusedintheMSPprocessmustbehoweverensured,inparticularregardingtheformalMSPprocess,whichrequiredformalandvalidateddata.Datavalidationcouldalsoberequired,dependingonthecontext.Involvementoflegitimatestakeholdercanhelpinsharinggoodsourcesofdata.

§ Improvetransparentaccesstoaccurateandcompleteinformation.Harmonizationandup-datingofrelevantdataandinformationareneeded,tobothsupportingcross-bordercooperationandvertical-horizontalcoordinationwithincountries.


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§ Movefromdataandknowledgetoinformationreallyusefulfortheplanninganddecision-makingprocessrequiredbyMSP.Spatial-basedtoolsareparticularlyusefultothisend.AnumberoftoolsarealreadyavailableandhavebeenappliedintheMediterraneanandothermarineregions;theiruseneedstobecomemoreoperationalandwidelydiffusedamongplannersinvolvedinformalMSPprocesses.Acloserandinteractivecollaborationbetweenplannersandscientistsisrequired.Othertoolsshouldbefurtherdeveloped,alsotoaddressfuturechallengesandinordertocomeagainsttheplanningneedsofdecisionmakers.Forexample,regardingfuturechallenges,couldbeusefulthedevelopmentoftoolstoselectappropriatesitesforoffshorerenewableenergyinstallationsorforpropersitingofoffshoreaquaculturefarms.

§ Create/strengthenplatforms(SDI,Web-portal,etc.)toenabledata/information/toolsharingandaccessibility,i.e.MSPdataplatformsatthecountryandbasin/sub-basinscale,capitalizingexistingexperiencesattheMediterraneanlevel(e.g.SDIMEDgeoportalorPEGASOSDI)orinspecificsub-region(SHAPEAtlasandADRIPLANdataportalfortheAdriatic-Ionianregion).MarineandmaritimedatasharingneedtobeoptimisedacrossthetwoshoresoftheEasternMediterraneansub-basin.

§ Ensurethattheseplatformsalsocontainlanddataorareintegratedwithotherplatformscontaininglanddata,toproperlysupportLSIanalysis.

5.9 ToolsforEnvironmentalassessmentofMSP

StrategicEnvironmentalAssessment(SEA)isanimportantintegralpartofthepreparationoftheMSPplan,providingamechanismforthestrategicconsiderationofenvironmentaleffectsoftheplan,assessmentofdifferentplanningalternativesandidentificationandevaluationofmitigationmeasures.SEAisanimportanttoolforimplementingEcApinMSPasitprovidesaframingfortheevaluationofeffectsonspecies,habitatsandecosystems.ItfollowsthatSEAisaprocesstobeimplementedincloseconnectionandinparalleltotheMSPplanelaboration,asitshouldbeusedtoensuretheplanenvironmentalsustainability.Indeed,SEAaimstoprovideclearinputtotheMSPplan.Tothisend,theSEAprocessshouldstartattheverybeginningoftheMSPprocessandthetwoshouldbeimplementedinaninteractivemanner.

TheSEAprocessincludesthepreparationofanenvironmentalreport,thecarryingoutofpublicconsultations,thetakingintoaccountoftheenvironmentalreportandtheresultsoftheconsultationsindecision-makingandtheprovisionofinformationonthedecision.ThefollowingelementsshouldbeconsideredwhenimplementingSEA:

§ Actualavailabilityofknowledgeandmethodsofassessment,focusingonreallyneededinformationandhighlightingcriticalgaps.

§ AvailabilityandactualapplicabilityofoperationaltoolsthatcansupportSEAimplementationduringtheMSPprocess,asforexample:cumulativeimpacttool,conflictanalysistools,checklisttoolbox,guidelines,modeltoanalysespatialdistributionofmaritimeactivatesandrelatedeffects,etc.

§ ContentandlevelofdetailintheMSPplan,thatshouldenablethelevelofenvironmentalassessmentrequired.

§ Stageinthedecision-makingprocessrelatedtotheMSPplan.


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§ Interestofthepublic,ensuringproperconsultationwithintheSEAprocess,coherentlyandincoordinationwithstakeholderengagementfortheMSPplanelaboration.

§ Relatedtopreviouspoints,theextenttowhichcertainmattersaremoreappropriatelyassessedwithinamoredetailedEnvironmentalImpactAssessment(EIA),whichisoftenrequiredforthelicensingofspecificprojectsadactivitiesafteraMarineSpatialPlanhasenteredintoforce.SEAhasanimportantroleinguidingEIAsbecausethechallengesinreconcilingissuesattheEIAscalerequireamorestrategicapproach.

Atgenerallevel,twomoreaspectsshouldbestressed:

§ AtransboundarySEAprocess,includingtransboundaryconsultation,shouldbeactivatedwhentheimplementationofaMSPplanisexpectedtohavesignificanttrans-boundaryenvironmentaleffects.

§ SEAshouldnotonlyassessimpactonthesea,butconsideralsoimpactsofmaritimeactivitiesonland,basedonmostrelevantLSIidentified.

ForEUMemberStates,itisworthpointingoutthatanyMSPplanlikelytohaveasignificanteffectonaNatura2000siteshallundergoanappropriateassessmenttodetermineitsimplicationsforthesite,andspecificallythehabitatsandspeciesithosts.

Addressingalloftheabove-mentionedproposalsshouldalsobedonetakingintoconsiderationsothermethodologicalguidelinesoftheSUPREMEproject,inparticular„MethodologyfortransboundaryMSPaspects”.


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EUNETMAR(2014).StudytosupportthedevelopmentofseabasincooperationintheMediterranean,theAdriaticandIonianandtheBlackSea.Report4.StudycarriedoutonbehalfoftheEuropeanCommissionDirectorate-GeneralforMaritimeAffairsandFisheries,contractnumberMARE/2012/07–Ref.n.2,September2014.

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This document was prepared by the Priority Actions Programme Regional Activity Centre (PAP/RAC) in the framework of the project “Supporting Maritime Spatial Planning in the Eastern Mediterranean“ (SUPREME).

PAP/RAC is established in 1977 in Split, Croatia, as a part of the UN Environment Mediterranean Action Plan (UN Environment/ MAP). PAP/RAC’s mandate is to provide assistance to support Mediterranean countries in the implementation of the Barcelona Convention and its Protocols, and in particular of the Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management in the Mediterranean. PAP/RAC is oriented towards carrying out the activities contributing to sustainable development of coastal zones and strengthening capacities for their implementation. Thereby, it co-operates with national, regional and local authorities, as well as with a large number of international organisations and institutions.

Following the emerging need to introduce MSP in the entire Mediterranean Region, the 20th Meeting of the Contracting Parties to the Barcelona Convention (COP 20, Tirana, Albania, 2017) adopted the Conceptual Framework for Marine Spatial Planning. Therefore, MSP was introduced within the Barcelona Convention System, as the main tool/process for the implementation of ICZM in the marine part of the coastal zone, thus contributing to the balance between environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainable development.

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