Brussels, 17/12/2010 (Agence Europe) - How has maritime spatial planning improved since the publication of the 2008 roadmap? This question was answered in a report published by the European Commission on Friday 17 December entitled “Maritime Spatial Planning in the EU - Achievements and future development,” which concludes that Europe needs to make progress in this area. In order to see how to do so, the Commission is launching an impact assessment of a series of options for expanding maritime spatial planning and the planning of coastlines. The results will be published next year.
The Commission's report explains that by bringing sea-related activities in different sectors together within a common planning framework, maritime spatial planning can be used to prevent conflicts, maximise synergies, and ensure the efficient and sustainable use of scarce maritime space, but concludes that action is now needed at EU level to ensure that maritime spatial planning is deployed in the most coherent and effective way possible across sea basins to the benefit of both the development of maritime activities and the protection of the marine environment.
To make the most of maritime planning in the EU, Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Maria Damanaki commented: “To harness maritime spatial planning fully within the EU, we need to start by facilitating cross-border cooperation and encouraging an approach that dovetails with broader initiatives, including the sea-basin approach of the integrated maritime policy. Going forward, the Commission will work closely with the member states and regions concerned to deliver the best possible framework for European maritime spatial planning while respecting fully the subsidiarity principle." (Com-O.L./transl.fl)