1. The Directive on Maritime Spatial Planning DG ENV, European Commission
Jeroen Casaer
DG ENV, European Commission
25 November 2014
Rome

2. Why is MSP a priority for Europe?
Reduce conflicts on access to maritime space
Reduce cumulative impact of maritime activities on the environment
Improve certainty and predictability for private investments
Reduce co-ordination costs for public authorities
Problem 1: Inefficient and unsustainable use of maritime space
The lack of co-ordination between different sectoral decision makers during the process of granting the use of sea space
sectoral policy areas often adopt decisions relevant to the management of our seas and oceans independently from each other led to situations where
impact of activities on the environment is not taken into account sufficiently enough.
activities are dispersed and larger areas of the sea space than necessary are occupied.
The Interreg project Baltseaplan promotes the concept of spatial efficiency. that uses should be concentrated as much as possible to keep other areas free, and that co-uses, synergies and multiple spatial use should be promoted.
Problem 2: Conflicting claims on maritime space
Conflicts between sea users and demands for sea space are anticipated to increase dramatically in the coming years (in particular due to emerging activities such as offshore renewable energy and aquaculture).
The rapid increase in the use of the maritime space has led to increased conflicts between competing uses, such as sand extraction, cables, pipelines, wind parks, fishing activities and shipping routes, although in some cases there can also be synergies between them.
More protection. MPAs.
Problem 3: Suboptimal exploitation of economic potential
Uncertainties and lack of predictability on appropriate access to the maritime space creates
a suboptimal business climate for investors, with potential job losses
Unnecessary additional costs for economic operators and administrations are related to the need for repeated search for similar information – some operators confirm that the same asset (research vessel) executes the same research tasks related to a particular sea area several times due to uncoordinated requests from different operators and/or administrations.
In the case of renewable energy, MSP may add significant value, as locations for wind energy are currently being designated. This will to a large extent determine where these activities can take place (hence decreasing search costs).
For economic activities requiring permits, location or governmental approval/licensing, MSP can be of significant value.
Problem 4: limited cross-border cooperation
Cross-border co-operation on maritime spatial planning and integrated coastal management in EU marine regions and sub-regions is essential as marine ecosystems, fishing grounds, marine protected areas as well as maritime infrastructures, such as cables, pipelines, shipping lanes, oil, gas and wind installations, etc. run across national borders.
Developments in MS exist. but proceed at different speeds and through unspecified co-ordination mechanisms, with the risk of continued inefficiency and lack of realisation of the potential benefits of a more comprehensive and co-ordinated system.
no agreed standards or mechanisms for co-operation on the cross-border management of sea uses. Cross-border planning takes place on an ad hoc basis or is absent.
a collaboration between EU member-states to create an integrated offshore energy grid which links wind farms and other renewable energy sources across the northern seas of Europe.
The North Sea Offshore Grid was proposed by the European Commission in November 2008.
allocated priority zones for offshore wind farms, taking other maritime activities into account. Furthermore, a knowledge base has been created and objectives have been set.
the current status of Maritime Spatial Planning adopted in the countries involved, contributes to the acceleration of the development of the offshore grid.

3. Entered into force September 2014

4. Obligations of the Directive
Set-up the plans
Set up maritime spatial plans which identify the spatial and temporal distribution of existing and future activities, uses in the marine waters
Set up Competent Authorities
Public participation
Public information from an early stage and participation of relevant stakeholders, authorities, and public concerned

5. Geographical coverage
Timing
September 2014: Entry into force
2016: Transposition and Competent Authorities
2021: Establishment of plans in all marine waters of MS
Geographical coverage
MSP: Marine waters cover coastal waters, territorial sea and EEZ.

6. Objectives of Maritime Spatial Plans
1. Apply an ecosystem-based approach
2. Contribute to the preservation, protection and improvement of the environment
3. Contribute to the sustainable development of:
energy sectors at sea
maritime transport
fisheries and aquaculture
4. Member States can pursue additional objectives (e.g. sustainable tourism, sustainable extraction of raw materials)
5. Promote the co-existence of relevant activities and uses    

7. Cross-border cooperation
Cooperation between Member States
Member States sharing a sea should cooperate to ensure that their MSP are coherent and coordinated
Means of cooperation are left to Member States to decide.
Cooperation with third countries
Cooperate with third countries on their actions with regard to maritime spatial planning (where geopolitically possible).

8. Areas of joint interest
More efficient & sustainable management of marine resources
Ecosystem based approach
"Land/sea interactions"
Sound data for decision making
Data exchange & management
Engagement of stakeholders
Cross-border cooperation
MSFD
MSP
WFD
Links between land and sea are of interest to us
Take into account "land-sea interactions" when developing MSP
Respect MS' responsibility for terrestrial ("town and country") planning
Facilitate understanding of what "land-sea interactions" might mean in context of MSP
Promote coherence between MSP and Integrated Coastal (Zone) Management
Coastal zones are environmentally sensitive, economically productive and socially / culturally / historically unique
Resources in their own right but also gateways on- & off-shore

9. M.S.F.D. GES MSP MSP Transposition MSP Implementation Energy
Environment
Fish
Transport
Tourism
MSP Transposition
MSP Implementation
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021

10. Interlinkages
MSP can put marine/ maritime activities in the "right" places to achieve benefits (e.g. GES)
MSFD is not a planning tool but can influence what planning decisions should deliver
More background information at: