Maritime Spatial Planning Worldwide

23^rd – 24^th June 2016

The conference on Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) Worldwide is the 6^th in a series of events organised by the Commission's DG for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries on MSP and its various connections to economic sectors and the environment. As in previous editions, the conference aims at furthering the understanding of MSP and at sharing experiences among policy makers, practitioners, academics and stakeholders. Unlike its predecessors, both its topic and target audience are global.

The EU has taken several steps to better manage its seas and oceans, including the adoption of the Maritime Strategy Framework Directive and the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive. These instruments are now in the process of being implemented, setting new benchmarks and breaking new ground. Now is also the time to look beyond the European experience for examples of what type of solutions worked under which conditions, what obstacles may lay ahead and what benefits await. In order to address global challenges, like climate change and sustainable development, it may also be useful to consider issues related to international and cross-border cooperation and the development of synergies.

The conference seeks to address these subjects by bringing together a group of high-level experts and a diverse audience ready to engage on the subject of MSP. The Government of the Azores has kindly offered to host the meeting during an official visit of Commissioner Vella to the islands, on 23-24 June 2016.

Here below is an outline of the conference's programme.

23 June 2016

The opening session will frame the day’s debates and introduce the opportunities and challenges that Maritime Spatial Planning offers around the world.

Chair and moderator: João Luis Gaspar, dean of the Azores University (requested)

Welcoming remarks

• Karmenu Vella, Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries
• Vasco Cordeiro, President of the Azores Government

Moderator: prof. Helena Calado, Azores University

Panel:

• Zeljka Skaricic, Director of PAP/RAC (Priority Actions Programme/Regional Activity Centre)
• Dixon Waruinge, Head of the Secretariat of the Nairobi Convention at UNEP
• Damon Stanwell-Smith, Head of Marine Environment at NIRAS International Consulting

The first session will frame the debates, highlighting the main issues lessons from MSP implementation. The speakers will describe their experiences, including what processes and tools worked well and which ones were more challenging. Some examples will be cases of cross-border MSP, MSP and land-sea interactions and stakeholder involvement. Stakeholder's expectations regarding the MSP process and their representation in former or current projects may also be presented.

Coffee break: 30 minutes

Moderator: prof. Helena Calado, Azores University

Panel:

• Matt Gubbins, MSP Programme Manager in Scotland
• Paul Holthus, President and CEO of the World Ocean Council
• Lodewijk Abspoel, Senior Policy Advisor North Sea, Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, the Netherlands

During this session speakers will present their assessments and experiences of the economic benefits of MSP and its role as a tool to develop a Blue Economy. The session will explore the reality of spatial competition at sea and the existing or potential benefits of maritime planning in encouraging sustainable growth. The interventions will include concrete examples of what worked and what did not work, what were the constraints, trade-offs and the opportunities.

Networking event

24 June 2016

Moderator: prof. Helena Calado, Azores University

Panel:

• David Johnson, Director of Seascape consultants
• Glenn Nolan, Secretary General of EuroGOOS
• Steve Fletcher, Head of Marine Programme, UNEP-WCMC
• Carolina Hazin, Global Biodiversity Policy Coordinator at BirdLife International

This session will explore the possibility of using area-based management regimes in international waters. The speakers will share their experiences, but also outline the potential for MSP in international waters as well as its limits. Some examples could cover the existing experience on Maritime Protected Areas in international waters as well as on the management of the deep sea and seabed.

Coffee break

Moderator: prof. Helena Calado, Azores University

Panel:

• Alain De Comarmond, Principal Secretary (Environment Department), at the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, Seychelles.
• Eleni Hatziyanni, Director of Environment and Spatial Planning, Directorate of Environment and Spatial Planning, Region of Crete, Greece
• Telmo Morato, Research associate at IMAR, University of the Azores.

This session will look into how MSP can be used in the context of one of the biggest challenges of our century: climate change adaptation and mitigation. Speakers will share their experiences on issues like building resistance to climate change through the use of Maritime Protected Areas, improving our understanding of ecosystem connectivity, and adapting uses of the sea to future or ongoing changes. This should also lead to a better understanding of the potential for international cooperation.

For enquiries about the event, please contact MSP-Azoresecorys [dot] com (MSP-Azores[at]ecorys[dot]com)

Should you wish to register please click here.