The Directive on Maritime Spatial Planning by Marie Colombier, DG MARE, European Commission at Baltic SCOPE Southwest Baltic case stakeholders meeting on 27 January 2016 in Malmo, SWEDEN

1. The Directive on
Maritime Spatial
Planning
Marie Colombier
DG MARE, European Commission
27 January 2016
Malmo

3.  Reduce conflicts on access to
maritime space
 Reduce cumulative impact of
maritime activities on the
environment
 Reduce co-ordination costs for
public authorities
 Improve certainty and
predictability for private
investments
Why is MSP a priority for
Europe?

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

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

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

8. MSP/MSFD Areas of
joint interest
MSFD
MSPWFD
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

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

10. MSP Directive
Implementation Support Strategy
 Objectives
 Tools:
transposition/
expert group/
assistance mechanism
 Priorities :
cross-sectoral cooperation
cross-border cooperation

11. Assistance Mechanism for the Implementation of
Maritime Spatial Planning
Launched !
 Technical support for Member States
 Generate and disseminate practical information and gather
best practices. Create and manage a MSP website
 Focal Points for the different Sea-basins to be able to answer
Member States/NGOs/Industries' questions at short notice.
 Advise on the use of EU financial instruments and bring project
partners together
 Studies :
 conduct technical studies to reduce knowledge gaps.
 2016 study: evaluation of data and knowledge gaps to
implement MSP.

12. 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).

13. Previous projects

14. 2008-2010
Building knowledge
base on cross-border
planning
2010-2014
Building concrete
expertise on cross-
border planning
through pilot projects
2014 -2021
Implementing the
Directive
On-going projects: Baltic Scope, SimCelt, MarsPlan
On-going calls:Atlantic, East and west Mediterranean

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