This document summarizes experiences from EU-funded regional projects in integrated maritime policy (IMP) and marine spatial planning (MSP) in the Mediterranean. It discusses initiatives and frameworks for MSP in the region, including at the EU, national, and regional levels. Examples of relevant projects are provided, such as an MSP project underway in the Aegean Sea led by the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research. Lessons learned from these projects include the importance of using an ecosystem approach, establishing supportive legal frameworks, and facilitating international cooperation for integrated coastal and marine planning.

1. Experiences from EU funded regional projects in
IMP and MSP in the Mediterranean
Dr Eleni Hatziyanni
Director of Environment and Spatial Planning, Region of Crete, Greece
Post Doc Research Associate at the Hellenic Centre of Marine Research, Greece

2. Mediterranean Basin
EU Commission, Atlas of the Seas
EU Commission, Policy Research Cooperation

3. Cumulative Pressure Indicator at the Mediterranean
Fragile Coastal & Marine Ecosystem
Under serious pressure (its nature, coastal and marine use)

4. Intensi
vely
used
Availa
ble
Data
MP/ICZ
M
Framew
ork
Cooper
ation
W Medi (4) √ √ √ √
Alboran
Sea (2)
√ √ √ √
Area
around
Malta (3)
√ √ √ √
Adriatic
Sea (1)
√ √ √ √
Aegean (7) ? …. …. ….
Libyan Sea
(8)
? …. …. ….
Levantine
Sea / SE
Cyprus
(5&6)
? …. …. ….
MSP Potentiality +, -
EU Commission, Policy Research Cooperation
Difficulties and Potentials for MSP Implementation at
the Mediterranean

5. Initiatives in the Mediterranean with regard to MSP
− Cross-border / international:
• The Mediterranean Action Plan and the Barcelona Convention
• The Protocol on Specially Protected Areas and Biological Diversity in the
Mediterranean
• The Protocol on Integrated Coastal Zone Management
• Sea basin initiatives, (AI Initiative, Adriatic Euregion, Trilateral)
• Commission, RAMOGE Agreement for West Med, Pelagos-Marine Mammals)
− EU level:
• Green paper on the future maritime policy
• Integrated Maritime Policy
• Other IMP-related instruments, (Common Marine Knowledge 2020, ICZM
Recommendation, Motorways of the Sea, Common offshore wind energy,
Renewable Energy Directive, Common Fisheries Policy, Comm sust future for EU
Aquaculture, Marine Strategy Framework Directive, MSP ICZM Directive)
− National level:
• Different levels of state of play, different approaches among countries

6. Implementation of MSP at the Mediterranean
Key points:
MSP is an important issue for the Regions at the Mediterranean.
• activities at sea have > impact on coastal areas in the regions.
• Regions : with a role in the management at seas and coastal zone
Policy Making
• EU, National-Regional-Local Level, Networks and WGs
Scientific Guidance
• for the Ecosystem Approach
Maritime
Policies
Marine
Spatial
Planning
Technical Projects
• Key partners:
Research Centers, National, Regional and Local Authorities

7. Implementation of MSP through Projects
EU Atlas of the Seas

8. http://www.msp-platform.eu/

9. http://www.msp-platform.eu/

10. Implemented Projects at the Mediterranean
** EEA, MSP at the Aegean Sea, HCMR: in progress

11. Implemented Projects at the Mediterranean (MSP relev.)

12. Examples of Relevant Proposals under evaluation
Under evaluation
in terms of Interreg(s)
and/or LIFE Programmes

13. • An ecosystem approach must be used when dealing with the maritime space
(overarching MSP principle)
• The maritime area is intensively used and competing human activities with
ecological impact • In most of the cases, scientific data are available or the
knowledge and tools exist to generate these data (e.g. GIS )
• In some cases national or regional inst. framework exists for marine policy or
coastal planning
• The country/regions concerned must possess a supportive legal framework
• The country/regions must be concerned and aware for integrated coastal and
marine planning
• Convenient platforms must available through which MSP could be introduced
with different stakeholders
• The countries must be open to international and interregional cooperation
• There must be transparency and support for MSP in the country/regions
• A regular monitoring and evaluation mechanism must been established for
changes that should be reflected in the MSP
• Planning Tool(s) and Socioeconomics aspects
• Networking and Policies at EU, National and Regional Level
Lessons learnt and further needs

14. Thank you!
Dr Eleni Hatziyanni
Director of Environment and Spatial Planning,
Region of Crete, Greece
Post Doc Research Associate at the Hellenic
Centre of Marine Research, Greece
elhatziyanni@crete.gov.gr