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

2.
 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?

3.
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

4.
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

5.
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

6.
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

7.
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

8.
MSP Directive
Implementation Support Strategy
 Objectives
 Tools:
transposition/
expert group/
assistance mechanism
 Priorities :
cross-sectoral cooperation
cross-border cooperation

9.
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.

10.
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).

11.
Previous projects

12.
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

13.
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