Spatial Planning (Marine)

Marine spatial planning (MSP) is a public process for analyzing and allocating the distribution of human activities in marine areas to achieve ecological, economic, and social objectives, reducing conflict between uses such as shipping, fishing, aquaculture, offshore energy, and conservation. It applies the ecosystem approach across a defined sea area, mapping resources and pressures, then zoning compatible and incompatible uses through a transparent, participatory plan reviewed adaptively. The EU Maritime Spatial Planning Directive 2014/89/EU required member states to establish maritime spatial plans by 31 March 2021. UNESCO-IOC produced the foundational MSP guide. MSP operationalizes integrated coastal zone management within a state’s jurisdictional waters.