MSP NATURE 2021 • Online Conference

Nature Conservation in Marine Spatial Planning:
how to reconcile human activities with ecological functions

Panel Discussion – International Examples

The aim of this session is to learn more about the different international examples of MSP and marine nature conservation. The session is intended to promote an exchange of national systems and approaches to MSP and to show ways in which ecological aspects have so far been considered. Therefore, experts from different regions will share their experiences in a panel and discuss approaches and challenges.


1. Fundamentals - Legal and planning framework for Marine Spatial Planning

Session 1 presents the basic principles and methods of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP). This includes in particular the legal basis for MSP. International maritime law, Union law, and national aspects will be considered. Special attention is paid to the international conventions (e.g. UNCLOS, CBD, OSPAR, HELCOM, Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, CMS, SDG, etc.). The characteristics of MSP shall also be discussed. Is MSP a management approach of a recommendatory quality or should it be a binding set of rules? The session will present an exchange of different experiences with MSP.


2. MSP – Marine Nature Conservation

Marine nature conservation is part of marine environmental protection. Up to now, marine nature conservation has essentially been limited to the protection of species and habitats. Spatial aspects are largely taken into account by designating marine protected areas. This is considered insufficient. The aim of this session is to discuss which ecological values should be protected and in which way should the protection take place. Furthermore, the relationship between MPAs and MSP will be addressed. Additionally, different concepts (e.g. marine landscape planning, green infrastructure, etc.) and their value for nature conservation shall be presented.


EBA Breakout Sessions

The Ecosystem-Based-Approach (EBA) serves to ensure a coordinated approach in the planning process and helps to overcome national borders in the interest of good transnational MSP. Guidance on the application of the EBA in a transnational context can be found in the CBD and the Aichi Targets, in regional agreements (such as HELCOM and OSPAR) and, in Europe, in Union law. The session will focus on the EBA in the context of MSP. To approach the question of how ecosystem-based MSP can improve marine nature conservation and to create an improved working atmosphere, we will address this complex question in three parallel breakout sessions. Each of the three Breakout Sessions will address this complex topic from a different perspective.

Breakout Session A - Concepts and approaches towards an EBA: This session should serve as an opportunity to present approaches, concepts and ideas (e.g. Carrying Capacity, Green-Infrastructure, etc.) to strengthen the integration of ecological concerns in MSP.

Breakout Session B - Tools towards an EBA: This session addresses specific tools that are helpful for the implementation of ecosystem-based MSP, for example BASEMAPS, MSP Bio models etc.

Breakout Session C - Use-related Aspects of EBA: The EBA requires the reconciliation of economic, social and ecological concerns of the marine environment. Therefore, this session focuses on the use-related aspects of EBA, such as Multi-Use Soultions and Offshore Wind Farm Design.


ERASMUS+ Session on visions for MSP

In Europe, maritime spatial plans have to be adopted in line with the MSP Directive by March 2021. As the date for the establishment of maritime spatial plans is approaching soon, this session is focussing on what is happening next? The session will provide an opportunity to exchange different future visions of MSP. We invite you to participate in this session, organized by the ERASMUS+ Knowledge Flows partnership. What are your visions or ideas for the future of MSP? What are you working on and how does your current work relate to future-oriented MSP? The session will consist of a number of presentations, followed by a discussion round with panellists and the audience. While the session provides a platform for early career researchers to present their visions, everyone interested in exchanging ideas about future topics in MSP is invited to join.