Policy Research Corporation
SOUND SOLUTIONS BASED ON SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH
EXPLORING THE POTENTIAL OF MARITIME SPATIAL
PLANNING IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA
Gijon – 19 May 2010
THE POTENTIAL OF MSP IN THE MEDITERRANEAN SEA
Objectives and outcomes
Main goals to be achieved
• Identify potential areas in the
Mediterranean Sea for the
application of Maritime Spatial
Planning
• Analyse obstacles to the
application of Maritime Spatial
Planning in this specific sea
basin
• Suggest possible responses for
its concrete application in
specific sub-regions or sea areas
Outcomes
• Support the ongoing debate on
Maritime Spatial Planning launched
by the EC Roadmap
• Form the basis for the launch of a
test project in the Mediterranean,
encouraging concrete cross-border
practices as announced in the
Commission’s Communication
‘Towards an Integrated Maritime
Policy for better governance in the
Mediterranean’
The project was started in October 2009 and runs for 12 months
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AGENDA
Selection of potential areas for the application of MSP
• Sub-regions regions in the Mediterranean
• Selection methodology & outcomes
Identified areas & area characteristics
•
•
•
•
Adriatic Sea
Alboran Sea
Area surrounding Malta
Western Mediterranean
Actions forward
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COUNTRY-BY-COUNTRY ANALYSIS
- Sub-regions in the Mediterranean 1. The Western Mediterranean
Sea: Spain, France (incl
Monaco), Italy, Morocco,
Algeria and Tunisia
2. The Adriatic Sea: Italy, Slovenia,
Croatia, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Montenegro and
Albania
2
1
3
4
3. The Central Mediterranean Sea:
Greece, Italy, Malta and Libya
4. The Aegean-Levantine Sea:
Greece, Turkey, Cyprus,
Lebanon, Syria, Israel and Egypt
Source: Directive 2008/56/EC of the European
Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008
establishing a framework for community action in
the field of marine environmental policy
The Mediterranean Sea covers an area of 2.5 million km2 and borders twenty-one
states in three different continents
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POTENTIAL AREAS FOR CROSS-BORDER MSP INITIATIVES
- Eight regions eligible for MSP application 1. Adriatic Sea (Italy, Slovenia,
Croatia, B&H, Montenegro,
Albania)
2. Area Southeast of Cyprus
(Egypt, Israel, Lebanon)
FR
SI
IT
HR
3. Alboran Sea (Spain, Morocco,
Algeria)
BH
CS
5
AL
GR
ES
4. Area surrounding Malta
TR
6
4
MT
8
2
CY
TN
7
MA
SY
LB
IL
DZ
LY
EG
5. Western Mediterranean Sea
(Spain, France, Italy)
6. Aegean Sea (Greece, Turkey)
7. Libyan Sea (Tunisia, Libya,
Egypt)
8. Northern part of the Levantine
Sea (Cyprus, Turkey)
In order to identify potential areas for cross-border MSP initiatives, the
Mediterranean Sea basin was divided into 8 cross-border marine areas
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METHODOLOGY FOR IDENTIFYING AREAS WITH MARITIME
SPATIAL PLANNING POTENTAL: 10 KEY PRINCIPLES
1. Using MSP according to area and type of activity;
2. Defining objectives to guide MSP;
3. Developing MSP in a transparent manner;
4. Stakeholder participation;
5. Coordination within Member States – Simplifying decision processes;
6. Ensuring the legal effect of national MSP;
7. Cross-border cooperation and consultation;
8. Incorporating monitoring and evaluation in the planning process;
9. Achieving coherence between terrestrial and maritime spatial planning;
10. A strong data and knowledge base.
These principles were developed in the EC Roadmap for MSP: Achieving
common principles in the EU; the methodology is based on these principles
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POTENTIAL OF MARITIME SPATIAL PLANNING (1/2)
- Three important aspects The potential of Maritime Spatial Planning in these eight areas was subsequently analysed
on the basis of three aspects:
• Purpose of MSP in the area:
– Type and intensity of uses
– Ecological value of the marine area
• Feasibility of MSP in the area:
– Scientific data / knowledge base
– Institutional capacity
– Legal and administrative supportive framework
– Stakeholders involvement
• Conditions for cross-border / international cooperation
– In case the marine area falls beyond national jurisdiction – which is mostly the
case for marine areas in the Mediterranean Sea basin
These criteria incorporate the principles from the roadmap
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POTENTIAL OF MARITIME SPATIAL PLANNING (2/2)
- Methodology consisting of seven criteria Purpose:
1. The area is intensively used and is (or will be) subject to competing human
activities (and/or human activities that compete with ecology)
Feasibility:
2. There are sufficient scientific data available or the knowledge and tools are
available to generate this data
3. There is a national or regional institutional framework available for marine policy
or coastal planning
4. The countries/regions concerned possess a supportive legal framework
5. The countries/regions concerned strive to integrate coastal and marine planning
6. Specific platforms are available through which MSP could be introduced
Cross-border / international cooperation:
7. The countries concerned are open to cross-border / international cooperation
The analyses of the eight areas showed to what extent the statements were
applicable to each of these areas
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IDENTIFYING AREAS WITH POTENTIAL FOR MSP
- Selection criteria and scores Marine areas
Key elements
Intensively used and
conflicting human
activities occur / will
occur in the future
Area
Area
Western Med.
Adriatic Sea Alboran Sea surrounding
southeast of
Sea
Malta
Cyprus
(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(8)
North
Levantine
Sea
(8)
Aegean Sea
Libyan Sea
and Egypt
(6)
(7)
√
√
√
√
√/?
?
?
?
√
√
√
√
√*
/**
/
/
√
√
√
√
√*
/**
/
/
Countries involved are
open to cross-border /
international cooperation
√
√
√
√
/
/
/
/
Potential for MSP
+
+
+
+
-
--
--
--
Sufficient data or
knowledge base to
generate data is available
A national or regional
framework for marine
policy or coastal planning
is available
*
**
As far as Cyprus concerns
As far as Turkey concerns
On the basis of the current insights, four areas qualified for further research to
explore the potential for the application of MSP; this does not imply that the
other four areas will not be selected for MSP projects in the future
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IDENTIFYING AREAS WITH POTENTIAL FOR MSP
- Regions qualifying for in-depth analysis -
FR
SI
IT
HR
1. Adriatic Sea
BH
CS
4
2. Alboran Sea
AL
GR
ES
TR
3. Area surrounding Malta
MT
3
CY
SY
4. Western Mediterranean Sea
LB
TN
MA
IL
DZ
LY
EG
Green: Areas with more potential for cross-border/international MSP
Red: Areas with less potential for cross-border/international MSP
The four selected areas are: the Adriatic Sea, the Alboran Sea, the area
surrounding Malta and the Western Mediterranean
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AGENDA
Selection of potential areas for application of MSP
• Areas that were selected
• Selection methodology
Identified areas & area characteristics
•
•
•
•
Adriatic Sea
Alboran Sea
Area surrounding Malta
Western Mediterranean
Actions forward
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ADRIATIC SEA
- Key elements: scope, purpose, feasibility Scope
• Countries
bordering the Adriatic Sea are Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and
Albania
Purpose
• Human activities
that currently put pressure on the Adriatic Sea are shipping, potential new energy terminals
(LNG), tourist-recreational use and fishery
• The Adriatic Sea is characterised by a large marine biodiversity; it is expected to be placed on the IMO list
of particularly sensitive sea areas
Feasibility
• Regional ICZM
strategies have been developed by several Italian regions and Slovenia (South-Primorska)
• Several platforms for international cooperation have been established, such as:
• The Trilateral Commission of Italy, Slovenia and Croatia
• The IPA Adriatic Cross-border Cooperation Programme to fund cross-border initiative
• The Adriatic Ionian Initiative: cooperation in the development and safety of the whole area
• Project proposal Shape ‘Shaping a holistic approach to protect the Adriatic environment between coast
and sea’
Conflicting human activities put pressure on valuable ecosystems of the Adriatic
Sea basin; several platforms for international cooperation already exist
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ALBORAN SEA
- Key elements: scope, purpose, feasibility Scope
• Countries bordering the Alboran Sea are Spain, Morocco and Algeria
Purpose
• Environmental pressures on the Alboran Sea are shipping (marine pollution resulting from among others
dumping and / or spills, especially in the Strait of Gibraltar), fishing and sand extraction
• The Alboran Sea is characterised by a large marine biodiversity (e.g. seagrass, cetaceans and sea turtles)
which makes it a genuine laboratory for the training of researchers and scientific observers
Feasibility
• Spain adopted a national ICZM strategy in 2007, mainly focused on onshore activities; in 2009, a
national study of the Spanish Coast identifying suitable areas for offshore wind farms was a concrete
step in the direction of MSP
• Spain, Morocco and Algeria have created a platform to discuss the conservation and sustainable
development of the Alboran Sea and creating trust amongst potential stakeholders involved
• Several Spanish institutions collect data on the flora and fauna of the Alboran Sea (The Spanish Institute
for Oceanography (Malaga) and the Junta de Andalucia)
• Prof. Suarez de Vivero (University of Seville) produces maps of the Alboran Sea (geographical
information and maritime activities)
Conflicting human activities put pressure on valuable ecosystems of Alboran
Sea; awareness and willingness for more cross-border cooperation is present
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AREA SURROUNDING MALTA
- Key elements: scope, purpose, feasibility Scope
• The area surrounding Malta borders three countries: Italy, Tunisia and Libya
Purpose
• Main maritime activities surrounding Malta are maritime transport, fisheries and hydrocarbons
• The northern area surrounding Malta (north of Malta and south of Sicily) is characterised by major shipping
routes and intensive maritime traffic
• The area between the south of Malta and the coast of Libya is intensively used for hydrocarbon activities
Feasibility
• In the area surrounding Malta the majority of sea uses are regulated but there is no coordinated approach that
aims to reduce conflicts between activities
• In Malta, existing planning legislation seems to provide the necessary framework for developing plans and to
issue development permits to regulate sea uses
• The Integrated Coastal Zone Management strategy of Malta is linked to maritime and terrestrial spatial
planning; moreover, the Maltese government considers spatial planning as a tool that can assist in identifying a
strategic approach towards sustainable development of the coastal environment
• Also Tunisia sees ICZM as a high priority
The area surrounding Malta is intensively used; national planning legislation is
well-organised in Malta, but cross-border marine projects do not (yet) exist
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WESTERN MEDITERRANEAN SEA
- Key elements: scope, purpose, feasibility Scope
• The countries bordering the Western Mediterranean Sea are Spain, France (including Monaco) and Italy
Purpose
• Human activities that currently put pressure on this region seem to be shipping, potential new energy
terminals, tourist-recreational use and fishery
• The marine area between Spain, Italy and France has multiple Marine Protected Areas and ecological zones
Feasibility
• The marine area between France (incl. Monaco) and Italy has some cross-border initiatives: the Corsica
Sardinia marine reserve and the Pelagos Sanctuary
• Spain adopted a national ICZM strategy in 2007, mainly focused on onshore activities; in 2009, a national
study of the Spanish Coast identified suitable areas for offshore wind farms, which was a concrete step in
the direction of MSP (also including the Alboran Sea)
• France developed a National strategy for the sea and oceans (Livre Bleu, December 2009) and has the
intention to evolve from Integrated Coastal Zone Management towards Integrated Management of the coast
and the sea
• Regional ICZM strategies have been adopted by several Italian regions (e.g. Emilia-Romagna and Marche)
In the Western Mediterranean Sea area, countries are advanced in coastal
planning and cross-border marine projects already exist
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EXAMPLE OF CROSS-BORDER PLANNING ITALY-FRANCE
- The Pelagos Sanctuary for Mediterranean marine mammals What?
• Area with high ecological value: contains important habitats for cetacean
species (e.g. whales, dolphins)
• Agreement among France, Italy and Monaco
• Listed as a Specially Protected Area of Mediterranean Importance (SPAMI) under the
Barcelona Convention in 2001 becoming world’s first High Seas MPA
Objectives
•
•
•
•
•
•
Address local threats to cetaceans
Create highly protected conservation zones
Channel the area’s intense maritime traffic along established corridors
Systematically address fishery impacts on cetaceans
Implement a systematic monitoring programme
Increase public awareness
Problems
• The Agreement Secretariat, foreseen as management body, is undermanned, has insufficient power, means and
human resources to prevent or control activities
The Pelagos Sanctuary is the only cross-border (France, Italy and Monaco)
MPA in the Mediterranean High Sea
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EXAMPLE OF CROSS-BORDER PLANNING ITALY-FRANCE
- The Pelagos Sanctuary for Mediterranean marine mammals Consequences
• Pelagos failed to significantly improve the conservation status of mammal populations
Possible solutions to solve Pelagos’ problems
• Ecosystem-based Management (EBM) approach to mitigate human pressures
- Control land-based and maritime sources of pollution
- Integrated coastal zone/ocean management
- Adaptive management approach that would deal with changing patterns of use as well as with
technological, socio-economic, political and natural change
• Among others, proper management would include
- Creating a zoning scheme to optimise conservation
- Regulating maritime traffic along established corridors
- Establishing precise regulations to address and mitigate impacts exerted on cetaceans populations
• Introducing an MSP (zoning) scheme in order to manage the Pelagos area
The Pelagos initiative failed to fulfil its objectives; a zoning / MSP scheme
might be a solution
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PRESENTATION SUMMARY
Four areas with potential for MSP
The four areas that are currently under extensive investigation are: the Adriatic Sea, the
Alboran Sea, the area surrounding Malta and the Western Mediterranean
Each of the four areas is characterised by:
-
The involvement of multiple countries;
Intensive human activity, providing vital economic impact for its coastal and inland communities;
Marine environmental heritage and related environmental issues;
Adequately set up ICZM and/or cross-border initiatives;
A lack of a proper coordination system on the transnational region;
A lack of consistent knowledge bases.
MSP might be the solution in these areas if it enforces/stimulates:
(1) proper coordination of areas, not just national parts (2) the creation of a consistent
knowledge base and (3) regular monitoring and evaluation of (policy) actions taken
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AGENDA
Selection of potential areas for application of MSP
•
•
Areas that were selected
Selection methodology
Identified areas & area characteristics
•
•
•
•
Adriatic Sea
Alboran Sea
Area surrounding Malta
Western Mediterranean
Actions forward
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ACTIONS FORWARD (1/2)
Completed tasks
Actions forward
Task 1:
Task 2:
Review previous experiences and initiatives
Establish the elements that should be taken into
consideration for the identification and characterisation
of potential areas for the application of MSP
Task 3:
Description of the selected areas and draw up a list of
authorities and stakeholders concerned with MSP in
these areas
Analysis of potential obstacles and difficulties with
regard to the application of MSP in the Mediterranean,
in particular in these areas
Identify aspects of applying the 10 key principles for
MSP that are specific to the Mediterranean
Task 4:
Task 5:
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ACTIONS FORWARD (2/2)
• The following countries will be visited in the coming weeks:
•
•
•
Italy (Adriatic part and Sicily)
Tunisia
Morocco
• If you have any valuable information for the four cases studies and/or you are willing to
speak to us during one of our field visits, please contact Policy Research
• Also if you have suggestions about organisations or people to contact, please inform
Policy Research
Tom Thijssens
Director
Policy Research Corporation
Tom.Thijssens@policyresearch.be
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