Reducing pressure on Europes coastal and marine areas

The coasts and seas around the EU face increased pressure and competition for space and resources to accommodate maritime activities and environmental protection. But so far there are only a few cases where Member States, either on their own or in cross-border cooperation, have implemented coordinated coastal and maritime spatial planning systems. Coastal and marine areas offer significant opportunities for economic development, leisure and living. They host rich but fragile biodiversity. Transparent planning and management of European waters are needed to balance the interests at play against sustaining the long-term benefit of coastal and marine resources to society.

The concept of Maritime Spatial Planning has been developed as a part of the EU’s Integrated Maritime Policy. It refers to a process by which maritime space is allocated between multiple and potentially competing uses. By bringing sea-related activities in different sectors together within a common planning framework, Maritime Spatial Planning can be used to prevent potential conflicts, maximise synergies, and ensure the efficient and sustainable use of scarce maritime resources. The European Commission has already developed guiding principles to stimulate transparency, predictability, coherence and stability of Maritime Spatial Planning activities in Europe, in the interest of sustainable economic growth. The public consultation addresses the main challenges and opportunities for Maritime Spatial Planning and Integrated Coastal Zone Management and invites views from all interested parties on how best to tackle them. The Commission will decide whether to propose future EU action in these fields by the end of 2011.

More information regarding the consultation: http://ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/ipm/forms/dispatch?form=MAREENV&lang=en