Workshop on Climate-smart Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) for Future uses/needs of the Seas (27/03/2025)

March 27, 2025

A Decade of MSP Stakeholder Conference Streaming Link (22/10/2024)

Save this link if you're joining us online!

Final Agenda for "A Decade of MSP Stakeholder Conference" is out! (22/10/2024)

This event brings together experts, policymakers, and industry leaders from across the European Union and beyond, to foster dialogue, share best practices, and chart a course towards more integrated and sustainable maritime planning. Over five engaging sessions, we will explore the accomplishments of the last decade, lessons learnt, challenges, and future direction of MSP, highlighting the critical role of stakeholder engagement, regional cooperation, and innovative technologies. Our discussions will cover a range of priority topics, from the impact of the European Green Deal on MSP to the integration of climate-smart trends and cutting-edge technologies. We will explore how MSP plans are being updated to address contemporary issues such as climate change and multi-use conflicts, and we will examine the benefits and challenges of data-driven innovations like digital twins for marine environments.

European MSP Week is approaching fast! Reserve your seat! (21/10/2024)

European MSP Week is taking place on 21st – 24th October 2024! This series of dynamic events is dedicated to Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) and offers a unique opportunity for stakeholders from industry, civil society, the public sector, and academia to come together. Reflect on the achievements made in MSP across European seas, discuss current policies, and strategise the next steps forward.

Mark your calendars for the European MSP Week (21/10/2024)

Be part of European MSP Week 21st – 24th October 2024! This series of dynamic events is dedicated to Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) and offers a unique opportunity for stakeholders from industry, civil society, the public sector, and academia to come together and reflect on the achievements made in MSP across European seas, discuss current policies, and strategise the next steps forward.

A Decade of MSP - Stakeholder Conference (22/10/2024)

Don't miss our updated agenda! Discover the speakers and topics for the "A Decade of MSP - Stakeholder Conference," taking place in Marseille, France, on 22 October, as part of European MSP Week taking place from 21 - 24 October. Register now and join the conversation!

Littoral 24 European Coastal Challenge Summit on September 24 - 27, 2024 (24/09/2024)

Littoral 24 European Coastal Challenge Summit is taking place from September 24 - 27, in Constanța, Romania! The conference is dedicated to the future of coastal and marine ecosystems amidst global challenges. Stakeholders will explore vital themes such as climate change adaptation, sustainable blue economy, and coastal governance, with expert-led discussions on sea-level rise, nature-based solutions, marine biodiversity, and the impact of current crises on coastal communities. They will engage in transformative conversations on stakeholder collaboration, marine conservation, and innovative strategies for managing our oceans and coasts. Whether you're passionate about biodiversity, blue equity, or sustainable governance, this event will inspire new solutions for a resilient future.

Share your insights in the survey on coastal planning and development in the Baltic Sea Region (09/09/2024)

By completing this survey you will contribute to the knowledge and understanding about the issues and gaps that hinder coastal development. Your insights will highlight important existing actions, policies, and practices that support, for example, the sustainable blue economy, climate change adaptation and mitigation, the resilience of places and biodiversity protection around the Baltic Sea. We invite you and anyone working on coastal planning and development issues in the countries of the Baltic Sea Region to complete the survey. This includes competent professionals (of any governance level – local, regional or national) working on policy-making, spatial planning, and research for terrestrial and marine areas, as well as those addressing land-sea interactions within one or across various sectors.

MSP4BIO Science Policy Think Tank Survey - Integrating Biodiversity into Maritime Spatial Planning (09/09/2024)

The MSP4BIO Project is focused on enhancing the integration of biodiversity into Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP). As part of this effort, MSP4BIO has launched a series of Science Policy Dialogue Think Tanks. These Think Tanks bring together experts, scientists, and policymakers at both the EU and regional seas levels to co-develop innovative solutions for incorporating biodiversity into MSP. In preparation for the 3rd Science Policy Dialogue Think Tank, which will take place on October 24th in Marseille during European MSP Week, MSP4BIO has developed the survey: “Integrating Biodiversity into Maritime Spatial Planning” which seeks to gather insights and feedback from related projects, initiatives, and stakeholders to inform the discussions. If you represent a project or initiative, we kindly ask that you coordinate with your partners to provide a unified response where possible. Please submit your responses by September 30th, 2024. We appreciate your valuable input and collaboration!

Maritime Spatial Planning Through the Years: Insights of a Decade of EMFF and EMFAF Funded Projects: Background Technical Study (01/07/2024)

The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) (2014-2020) played a crucial role in promoting sustainable fisheries, aquaculture, and maritime spatial planning (MSP) within the EU. In 2021, its successor, the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF), took over, managed by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA). The EMFAF focuses on enhancing sector competitiveness, environmental sustainability, and supporting coastal communities. It provides financial backing for innovation and marine ecosystem conservation while advancing MSP through both EU-wide initiatives and Member States' national and regional strategies.

Spatial restrictions due to safety provisions in the EU, with case studies from the North Sea (09/09/2024)

This study focuses on spatially relevant safety aspects defined by legal requirements, excluding topics like onboard safety or occupational safety, and does not evaluate the relevance of existing safety regulations. The authors acknowledge the importance of maritime safety in supporting the coexistence of various uses, though these positive aspects are beyond the study's scope. All maritime sectors adhere to safety management and regulation to promote sustainable and responsible activities, with key safety provisions governed by international frameworks such as UNCLOS, IMO, and EU regulations for member states.

eMSP NBSR project is now finalised! Findings and recommendations are available in policy briefs and podcast episodes! (09/09/2024)

If the words Ocean governance, Ecosystem-based approach, Good Environmental Status, Monitoring and evaluation of MSP, Data sharing, Sustainable Blue Economy, Multi-use, European Green Deal, Climate change and Climate-neutrality targets speak to your marine heart – be our reader and listener!

Launch of the advisory report ‘Blueprint Maripark’ at the North Sea Community of Practice meeting (09/09/2024)

At the North Sea CoP, Nanou Beekman, Director of Fisheries and Large Waters at the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, received a blueprint for the possible development of a Maripark in the North Sea. This maritime park, located within wind farms, would facilitate shared use for activities like food production, energy generation, and nature development. Commissioned by the Ministry and developed by EY, the study explores how such a park could be managed and financially viable while benefiting the ecosystem. The concept aligns with the North Sea Programme 2022-2027, which balances food, nature, and energy transitions, and promotes shared use within wind farms.

Closure and lessons learnt from the Public consultation on maritime spatial planning in France (09/09/2024)

After 5 months of public debate on maritime spatial planning, the debate team, chaired by Floran Augagneur, has published its report summarising all the points raised.

The Climate Action Plan 2024 (CAP24) was approved by Government on 21 May 2024 (09/09/2024)

The Climate Action Plan 2024 is Ireland’s third annual update, building on the foundation of the Climate Action Plan 2019 and Climate Action Plan 2023. It aligns with Ireland's climate commitments, aiming to halve emissions by 2030 and achieve net-zero by 2050. As global warming intensifies, the effects of climate change—such as record temperatures and extreme weather events—are increasingly felt in Ireland and across Europe. This Plan sets forth ambitious targets across sectors like energy, transport, and agriculture, emphasizing innovation and a just transition to ensure no community is left behind in the push for a sustainable, low-carbon future.

Stakeholder Consultation in Maritime Spatial Planning Survey (20/06/2024)

The European Blue Forum - What's Next? (21/06/2023)

When reflecting back on the launch of the European Blue Forum, it is hard to believe that it is already one month since we met in Brest, France. Although the initiative is in its infancy, having only been launched in April this year, we have been hugely encouraged by the positive support and enthusiasm received from you, our members. However, as you can imagine, with any new initiative, the most frequently posed question, both during the event and since, relates to the future of the European Blue Forum.

Mark your calendars for the Launch Event of the European Blue Forum! May 26, 2023 from 9:00 to 15:30 CET in Brest! (03/05/2023)

The Launch Event is only the beginning of the European Blue Forum’s activities towards building Europe’s Blue Community; community of different users of the sea, passionate and committed to working together to deliver bold and ambitious resolutions to our shared challenges of climate change. The event will provide a platform for everyone, whether part of a large organisation or not, and regardless of how well established the sector or topic you work on is, to share your priorities, challenges and ideas, and contribute to building a common and united path towards the vision of the Sustainable Blue Economy.

Spain adopted the Spanish Maritime Spatial Plan: Planes de Ordenación del Espacio Marítimo (POEM) (03/05/2023)

The Spanish MSP, Planes de Ordenación del Espacio Marítimo (POEM), was adopted on the 28th of February 2023 by the Council of Ministers by Royal Decree. It establishes plans for each of the five Spanish marine subdivisions: North Atlantic, South Atlantic, Estrecho and Alboran, Levantine-Balearic and Canary Islands.

Launch of three new EMFAF MSP projects (03/05/2023)

To help Member States with the implementation, monitoring and revision of their Maritime Spatial Plans, three new European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) projects were launched: The MSPGreen project, the REGINA project and the ReMAP project. More information is available on the European MSP Platform!

New national project on ICZM launched in Romania (03/05/2023)

The Romanian Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests launched a call for tenders last September 2022 to develop the National Strategy on Integrated Coastal Zone Managment (ICZM) and the associated Integrated Management Plan. The winning consortium composed of GeoEcoMar and Ovidius University, will develop a multi-sectoral political document to provide a medium and long-term vision for the use and sustainable development of Romania's coastal area.

New Community of Practice on MSP for the Mediterranean (04/05/2023)

On the 26th of January the Community of Practice (MED MSP CoP) for Maritime Spatial Planning in the Mediterranean was launched. Supported by CINEA and DG MARE, this CoP will strenghten the MSP community and build on the already rich policy context in the Mediterranean. More information is available on the European MSP Platform!

The final publication of MSP-MED is out now! (03/05/2023)

The title of the latest publication is: "Towards the operational implementation of MSP in our common Mediterranean Sea: A common planning framework in the Mediterranean Sea. Outcomes of the MSP-MED project". It describes the achievements and challenges of the project and provides an overview of its main outputs. You will find information about setting-up National Maritime Spatial Plans in the Mediterranean Sea and information about international cooperation. You can also find a series of videos on MSP-MED related topics on the dedicated YouTube channel.

The North Sea Advisory Council (NSAC) organised a Workshop on Maritime Spatial Planning and Stakeholder Engagement (03/05/2023)

The NSAC workshop on MSP explored principles of timely stakeholder engagement and cross-border management, and notions of co-existence and multi-purpose platforms. The European Commission, environmental NGOs, the industry (energy and fishing), science, and Member States, including third countries such as the UK and Norway participated in this workshop.

European Maritime Day (24/05/2023)

The European Maritime Day (EMD) is the annual two-day event during which Europe’s maritime community meet to network, discuss and outline joint action on maritime affairs and sustainable blue economy.

Active cooperation between the North and the Baltic Sea practitioners - eMSP NBSR project. Check out all the events planned for May, June and September. (04/05/2023)

Active cooperation between the North and the Baltic Sea practitioners - eMSP NBSR project. Check out all the events planned for May, June and September.

Expert’s Conference on the updated VASAB Vision (01/06/2023)

The event will be in Wismar in Germany. and it is still to participate and to learn more about the process and outcome on developing long-term spatial vision for the Baltic Sea region.

EU MSP Platform's season greetings (15/12/2022)

Wishing you all a good winter break; Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

CommOCEAN 2022: Do you speak MSP? (12/12/2022)

CommOCEAN 2022 was organised in Sète, France, by the European Marine Board Communications Panel (EMBCP) with the objective to provide communication skills and inspiration to communicators in marine related fields across a range of experience levels. Together with Folco Soffietti from the MSP MED project, the EU MSP Platform participated in a panel to describe good practices, lessons and opinions on successful and original ways to communicate and inform people about Maritime Spatial Planning. Read more on our website.

New MSP infographic: facts, figures, future. (12/12/2022)

Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) is a fundamental tool for the development of a Sustainable Blue Economy. It allows us to manage the use of our seas and oceans in a long term, inclusive and innovative way, to reduce conflicts, create synergies between human activities and ensure they take place in an efficient and safe way, within the capacity of the receiving ecosystems. Explore our infographic to find out facts, figures and what are the next steps.

IOC MSP Forum and Conference 2022: stepping stones towards 2030 (12/12/2022)

From November 21st to 22nd, Europe and the world met in Barcelona to discuss Maritime Spatial Planning. First with the 5th edition of MSP forum which addressed Knowledge support for MSP; Capacity building and awareness; Transboundary cooperation; Climate-smart MSP; Marine protection and restoration and Sustainable blue economy. The Forum was followed the next day by the 3rd edition of the International Conference on MSP organised by the European Commission DG MARE and the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO), a hybrid and dynamic event packed with new projects, results and perspectives. Read more on our website.

PLASMAR+: when MSP does comics (12/12/2022)

PLASMAR+ is a project which aims to promote the advancement of the Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) process in the Macaronesian archipelagos (Canary Islands, Madeira and Azores) by developing new tools based on scientific and technological knowledge, as well as supporting the development of Blue Economy in this region. The project has released a new comics and a video to support its communication on MSP in Macaronesia.