Search Results (53)

Marine spatial planning (MSP) has emerged as a key governance approach for managing competing uses of marine space. However, implementing MSP in federal governance systems presents unique challenges due to the distribution of authority across multiple levels of government and sectoral institutions. This study examines the governance feasibility of MSP in Peninsular Malaysia by analyzing the interaction between constitutional arrangements, as well as legal, policy, institutional, and stakeholder perspectives. The coastal districts of Kuala Terengganu and Kuala Nerus are examined as potential pilot areas for exploring MSP implementation within existing planning mechanisms. This study adopts a qualitative governance analysis based on document review and stakeholder perspectives. Relevant constitutional provisions, policy documents, and institutional mandates are analyzed using qualitative coding in ATLAS.ti and synthesized through a Thematic Analysis Matrix. The findings indicate that Malaysia possesses several governance elements necessary for initiating MSP, including the statutory spatial planning system under the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 (Act 172) and policy recognition of coastal–marine integration. However, governance responsibilities remain dispersed across administrative levels and sectoral agencies. This study proposes a governance pathway demonstrating how MSP may be incrementally integrated within existing spatial planning mechanisms, through Local Plan adaptation and strengthened institutional coordination. Full article

Coastal socio-ecological systems are increasingly exposed to the combined pressures of climate change, land-use intensification, hydrological alterations and expanding infrastructure networks. These pressures interact across the land–catchment–lagoon–sea continuum, generating complex feedbacks that challenge traditional planning instruments, which remain sectoral and fragmented. The Mar Menor (SE Spain), a semi-enclosed Mediterranean lagoon affected by intensive agriculture, urbanisation, hydrological modifications and recurrent extreme climatic events, exemplifies this systemic vulnerability. Existing planning frameworks—local urban plans, regional territorial plans, river basin management plans, maritime spatial plans and lagoon-specific strategies—operate independently, each addressing only a fragment of the system and none integrating climate change as a structuring axis. This article introduces Integrated Spatial Planning (ISP) as a novel territorial–climatic framework designed to overcome these limitations. ISP integrates climate forcing, land uses, catchment processes, lagoon dynamics, marine conditions, critical infrastructures, intermodal and energy corridors and multilevel governance into a single analytical structure. A central component of the methodology is a four-zone multilevel zoning system that connects municipal, regional, basin, marine and EEZ planning domains within a unified territorial–climatic logic. The ISP matrix is applied to the Mar Menor to produce the first holistic diagnosis of the system. Results reveal strong land–sea–catchment interactions, high climatic exposure, vulnerable infrastructures and structural governance fragmentation. The matrix exposes systemic incompatibilities and vulnerabilities that remain invisible in sectoral planning instruments. The discussion demonstrates how ISP clarifies the roles and responsibilities of each governance level, supports multilevel coherence and integrates critical infrastructures and intermodal corridors into climate-resilient planning. ISP reframes climate change as the organising principle of territorial planning and provides a replicable, scalable methodology for coastal socio-ecological systems facing accelerating climate pressures. The Mar Menor case illustrates the urgent need for integrated territorial–climatic governance and positions ISP as a scientifically robust and operationally viable pathway for long-term adaptation and resilience. Full article

This paper develops a marine spatial planning (MSP) methodology for strategic siting of co-located offshore wind and wave energy systems, demonstrated for Ireland’s west coast. Although Ireland has exceptional wind and wave resources, objective spatial methods for assessing combined development potential remain limited. The proposed framework integrates a two-stage screening process comprising Boolean exclusion criteria and a weighted multi-criteria suitability index (SI) spanning technical, environmental, and socio-economic factors. The western Irish Exclusive Economic Zone is discretised into 189 grid cells, and site conditions are quantified using 20 years of ECMWF ERA5 metocean data (2002–2022) together with marine-use, environmental protection, and infrastructure datasets from Ireland’s Marine Atlas and associated public sources. Three representative west-coast locations were evaluated in detail. Under the equal-weighting scenario, the site at 52.5° N, 10° W (approximately 40 km west of Moneypoint) achieved the lowest SI score (4.231) and was therefore ranked most suitable compared with 6.634 at 52° N, 11.5° W and 8.093 at 54° N, 10.5° W. The selected site combines comparatively low spatial constraints with favourable depth (−52.4 m) and moderate wind–wave correlation (r = 0.4636), while the resource assessment confirms strong west-coast conditions overall. The framework provides a transparent, transferable, and stakeholder-informed decision-support methodology for early-stage MSP and strategic siting of hybrid offshore renewable energy developments in Ireland and other maritime regions. Full article

Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), the prevailing global governance paradigm for sustainable ocean development, confronts the critical challenge of integrating climatic uncertainty into its core processes. Reliance on the stationarity assumption compromises risk assessments for long-lifecycle assets within the Blue Economy, thereby impeding progress toward principal sustainability objectives. This article introduces and validates FARO (Framework for Adaptive Operational Risk Analysis), a methodological framework designed to operationalize the transition toward climate-smart MSP. The framework’s core innovation lies in furnishing a scalable quantitative structure that directly links high-resolution climatological projections with operational decision-making and capital planning, thereby converting climatic uncertainty into actionable operational risk indicators. Its applicability is demonstrated via a case study of Brazil’s emergent offshore wind industry (Southeastern Marine Region), analyzing impacts under the RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 scenarios (using INPE-Eta/CMIP5 regional projections). The findings quantify the critical role of technological resilience as a key adaptation variable, revealing a potential reduction in operational downtime from approximately 60% to 10% by enhancing operational capacity from Standard (SWH 2.0 m) to Flexible (SWH 2.5 m). In conclusion, the results indicate that FARO is a robust decision-support instrument, effectively bridging state-of-the-art regional climate science with participatory planning to foster genuinely sustainable and resilient maritime development. Full article

When designing spatial planning programs for processes in coastal zones, it is essential to consider the connections between marine and terrestrial environments and to coordinate institutional work in their implementation. This study examines the environmental policies of two planning processes in the coastal zone, one terrestrial and one marine, which were formally developed and adopted through decrees in the State of Sonora (NW Mexico). The Gulf of California Marine Spatial Planning (MSP-GC) was decreed in 2006, and the Sonora Coast Land Spatial Planning (LSP-SC) was decreed in 2009 and updated in 2015. This study reviewed, compared, and spatially analyzed the environmental policies established by both planning processes. The results show that both planning processes contain environmental policies with limited links between the marine and terrestrial environments in practice. Both planning processes were enacted with effort, resources, and stakeholder participation, but have not been implemented effectively. It is essential to review the mandates of the decrees, conduct an integrated assessment of environmental policies, and seek ways for federal and State institutional structures to drive the implementation of these planning processes. Considering the dates of the MSP (2006) and LSP-SC (2015) decrees, now it is the right time to evaluate them. Full article

Marine spatial planning (MSP) has emerged as a fundamental process for achieving the balanced development of marine ecology, economy, and society. However, increasing conflicts among multiple marine uses, particularly between port development, industrial activities, fisheries, recreation, and ecological protection, highlight the pressing demand for robust and science-based planning tools. In this study, we propose an integrated analytical framework for multi-objective spatial suitability evaluation to optimize MSP. Using the coastal waters of Dalian, China, as a case study, we evaluated the spatial suitability of five key marine activities (ecological protection, mariculture, port construction, wind energy farm development, and coastal tourism) and applied a multi-criteria decision-making approach to inform spatial zoning. The results emphasize the region’s ecological significance as providing critical habitats and migratory corridors for protected and threatened species as well as fishery resources, while also revealing substantial spatial overlaps between conservation priorities and human activities, particularly in nearshore zones. The optimized zoning scheme classifies 22.0% of the coastal waters as Ecological Redline Zones, 32.4% as Ecological Control Zones, and 45.6% as Marine Exploitation Zones. This science-based spatial classification effectively reconciles ecological priorities with development needs, providing a spatially explicit and policy-relevant decision support tool for MSP. Full article

Italy and Slovenia have recently adopted their first Maritime Spatial Plans (MSP). These plans belong to a new generation of spatial planning acts that introduce numerous innovations. This article presents the differences and similarities between the Italian and Slovenian MSP. The aim is to determine how a new planning approach can support joint spatial development and management in a transboundary perspective with particular reference to the cross-border area of the Gulf of Venice. Descriptive and comparative scientific methods were applied in the study. We analysed the structure of both plans and the content of the individual planning instruments and tools for three key sectors: Fisheries, Maritime Transport and Nature Conservation. We found that both plans offer new opportunities for transboundary spatial coordination and planning, while the process of preparing the plans themselves is particularly important. Both plans provide instruments to address transboundary environmental impacts, spatial development and sectoral management regimes. The implementation tools include provisions on the spatial, temporal and technical conditions for carrying out a particular activity at sea. The Italian plan adopts a strategic approach that offers possibilities for intersectoral and cross-border planning coordination. The Slovenian plan is more detailed and binding. Regardless of individual differences, the adoption of both plans represents a major step towards achieving the common goals of sustainable spatial development in the shared marine area of the Gulf of Venice. Full article

Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) has emerged globally as a governance tool to balance marine conservation and blue economy objectives. While many studies have described the legal and institutional frameworks underpinning MSP, fewer have critically assessed the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in monitoring and evaluation (M&E). This paper integrates a cross-national comparative analysis (Australia, Germany, Seychelles, and England) with a systematic review of the MSP governance literature (2010–2024) to assess how NGO involvement enhances MSP effectiveness. By performing a systematic literature review mapping of 70 peer-reviewed studies, we identify common governance elements and evaluate their links to reported ecological, social, and institutional outcomes. Results show that MSP systems with formal NGO participation—such as Seychelles’ debt-swap initiative and England’s co-managed conservation zones—exhibit higher levels of stakeholder legitimacy and adaptive monitoring. In contrast, centralized systems with limited NGO integration (e.g., Germany) face implementation fragmentation. These findings demonstrate that NGOs play a critical role in strengthening M&E, building cross-scalar coordination, and ensuring policy legitimacy. The study contributes novel insights into the predictive and comparative dimensions of NGO-led MSP frameworks, bridging descriptive governance analysis with outcome-based effectiveness. This study finds that Seychelles’ MSP demonstrates how NGO co-leadership can deliver both ecological and social benefits, while Germany’s federal fragmentation limits effective NGO institutionalization. Australia illustrates the value of integrating NGOs into scientific monitoring, whereas England shows partial but constrained NGO participation in statutory processes. These cross-national findings highlight NGO integration as a key predictor of effective and legitimate MSP outcomes. Full article

Wind power has gained attention as a vital renewable energy source capable of reducing emissions and serving as an effective alternative to fossil fuels. Floating wind farms could significantly enhance the energy capacities of Mediterranean countries. However, location selection for offshore wind farms (OWFs) is a challenge for renewable energy policy and marine spatial planning (MSP). To address these issues, this study considers the marine space of Greece to propose a GIS-based multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) framework employing the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to identify suitable sites for OWFs. The approach assesses 19 exclusion criteria encompassing legislative, environmental, safety, and technical constraints to determine the eligible areas. Subsequently, 10 evaluation criteria are weighted to determine the selected areas’ level of suitability. The study considers baseline conditions (1981–2010) and future climate scenarios based on RCP 4.5 and RCP 8.5 for two horizons (2011–2040 and 2041–2070), integrating projected wind velocities and sea level rise to evaluate potential shifts in suitable areas. Results indicate the central and southeastern Aegean Sea as the most suitable areas for OWF deployment. Climate projections indicate a modest increase in suitable areas. The findings serve as input for climate-resilient MSP seeking to promote sustainable energy development. Full article

Internationally, there is a modern understanding of cultural heritage, including maritime/underwater cultural heritage (MUCH)—not merely as a passive relic of the past, but as a transformative driver for sustainable growth and innovation. The paper discusses the position of maritime cultural heritage (MUCH) in relation to the smart specialization strategies (S3) and its evolving role as a driver of sustainable growth, particularly within the context of the blue economy and smart specialization strategies (S3, S4) in Europe. It then focuses on the Greek context, where UCH-driven activities, particularly soft multi-use (MU) activities that combine UCH, diving tourism, and nature conservation, are gaining momentum, especially within marine protected areas (MPAs). Despite the growing interest, there is a lack of data, regulations, and a clear strategy for such activities, although the “National (Hellenic) Spatial Strategy for the Marine Space” (issued in 2025) suggests promoting low-impact diving tourism incorporating UCH. The research paper examines the benefits and barriers to implementing UCH-driven MUs, recommending the use of maritime spatial planning (MSP) to address relevant challenges. It suggests that integrating UCH with nature conservation and diving tourism in soft MUs could support a sustainable blue economy, through balancing cultural, ecological, social, and economic goals and fostering innovation through S3/S4 on a regional level. Full article

In this study, a Hybrid Maritime Risk Assessment Model (HMRA) integrating automated machine learning (AML) and deep learning (DL) with hydrodynamic and Monte Carlo simulations (MCS) was developed to assess maritime accident probabilities and risks. The machine learning models of Light Gradient Boosting (LightGBM), XGBoost, Random Forest, and Multilayer Perceptron (MLP) were employed. Cross-validation of model architectures, calibrated baseline configurations, and hyperparameter optimization enabled predictive precision, producing generalizability. This hybrid model establishes a robust maritime accident probability prediction framework through a multi-stage methodology that ensembles learning architecture. The model was applied to İzmit Bay (in Türkiye), a highly jammed maritime area with dense traffic patterns, providing a complete methodology to evaluate and rank risk factors. This research improves maritime safety studies by developing an integrated, simulation-based decision-making model that supports risk assessment actions for policymakers and stakeholders in marine spatial planning (MSP). The potential spill of 20 barrels (bbl) from an accident between two tankers was simulated using the developed model, which interconnects HYDROTAM-3D and the MCS. The average accident probability in İzmit Bay was estimated to be 5.5 × 10⁻⁴ in the AML based MCS, with a probability range between 2.15 × 10⁻⁴ and 7.93 × 10⁻⁴. The order of the predictions’ magnitude was consistent with the Undersecretariat of the Maritime Affairs Search and Rescue Department accident data for İzmit Bay. The spill reaches the narrow strait of the inner basin in the first six hours. This study determines areas within the bay at high risk of accidents and advocates for establishing emergency response centers in these critical areas. Full article

The degradation of marine and coastal resources, caused mainly by human activities, underscores the urgent need for conservation. In waters around the Sichang Islands, the Bryde’s whale is listed as an endangered marine species. The extensive human activities in this area have raised serious concerns about the possible negative influence on this species. To conserve the species effectively and efficiently, we need to understand where it distributes and how human activities influence its distribution. For this purpose, we use spatial modeling techniques alongside diverse databases encompassing various spatial and ecological factors to analyze the distribution of, and human activities’ impact on, the Bryde’s whale (Balaenoptera edeni) in the Sichang Islands, Thailand. We also use the MaxEnt model to predict habitat suitability and the result reveals key factors influencing whale occurrence across seasons. During the dry season, TSS (32.8%), chlorophyll-a (20.1%), and DO (15.9%) levels play significant roles, while DO (29.9%), NH₃ (29.4%), and distance to shore (13.3%) are crucial in the wet season. Furthermore, the Species Risk Assessment (SRA) model indicates the mooring area (14.95%) is the high-risk area for the Bryde’s Whale, particularly during the wet season. In contrast, moderate risks are observed during the dry season, notably in fishing zones (99.68%) and mooring areas (99.28%). The study also highlights that the factors mentioned above influence prey availability and habitat suitability for the Bryde’s whale and identifies potential threats posed by human activities, such as fishing and other maritime operations, that are likely to decrease water quality and prey abundance. These results are useful information for identifying sensitive areas and measures for risk mitigation, thus supporting the development of MSP or MPA plans. Full article

The ocean is increasingly affected by the rise in maritime activities. Increased anthropogenic pressures have led to environmental impacts and also intensified competition for space and resources among various socioeconomic sectors. To mitigate these impacts on marine ecosystems and reduce conflicts, management tools and processes such as marine protected areas (MPAs) and maritime spatial planning (MSP) have become more prevalent. Trade-offs are inherent to these, and necessary to meet specific conservation and socioeconomic goals. In response, understanding and managing these trade-offs has become crucial to achieving ocean sustainability. This study performs a bibliometric review to identify the types of trade-offs discussed in the marine literature and examines their operationalization for the conservation and sustainable use of marine resources. The analysis reveals that trade-offs, particularly those between conservation and development, and the interests of specific stakeholders, are most frequently addressed in the trade-off literature and are typically approached through integrative methods. This comprehensive examination highlights the significance of recognizing and addressing trade-offs to achieve effective marine management and conservation, aligning ecological integrity with socioeconomic interests. Full article

This study investigates the impact of artificial light at night (ALAN) along the Sicilian coasts, using satellite data from 2016 to 2023, focusing on three distinct spatial domains: terrestrial areas within 1 km from the coastline, marine areas extending up to 1 km offshore, and marine areas up to 1 nautical mile from the coast. In coastal zones, ALAN is a significant anthropogenic pressure with potentially detrimental effects on ecosystems. By integrating satellite data with geographic datasets such as Corine Land Cover (CLC), Natura 2000 protected areas, and Posidonia oceanica meadows, this study aims to characterize and analyse the temporal and spatial variations in ALAN across these domains. The findings reveal substantial differences in light pollution between domains and over time, with coastal terrestrial areas exhibiting the highest levels of ALAN. In contrast, marine areas further offshore experience reduced light pollution, particularly within the 1-nautical-mile domain. This study also indicates that protected areas, especially those within the Natura 2000 network, show significantly lower ALAN levels than non-protected areas, highlighting the effectiveness of conservation efforts. Statistical analyses, including ANOVAs, demonstrate that factors such as geographic domain, year, province, and CLC classes significantly influence ALAN distribution. This study advocates for considering ALAN as a critical factor in environmental impact assessments, such as those under the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive (MSP) and Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), providing valuable insights to support policies aimed at mitigating the environmental impact of light pollution on coastal and marine ecosystems. Full article

Marine strategy requires a high level of understanding of the interrelationships and processes occurring between the various social and ecological systems that coexist in the same environment, given the high degree of complexity of such a system. Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) is a process for implementing ecosystem-based management in the marine and coastal environment, expressing the ambitious goal of protecting the natural capital of the oceans and promoting sustainable economic growth in the maritime sectors from a holistic perspective. One of the main challenges in MSP is to identify methods and tools for integrated assessments of socio-economic aspects with physical and environmental variables, attempting to assess the economic costs and benefits of a plan and to detect a cause-and-effect relationship between MSP and the performance of the blue economy. Depending on the specific features of areas where planning takes place and the objectives of the assessment, there is a wide spectrum of different approaches and tools that allow the assessment of the economic impact of MSP with varying levels of precision and detail. The objective of this paper is to present a comprehensive analytical framework that will facilitate the understanding of, and development of, appropriate socio-economic instruments and analyses for estimating the economic effects associated with MSP. A comprehensive information base will be constructed based on the findings of studies and analyses conducted by research institutions and relevant national and international organizations. This is intended to identify the principal characteristics, scope, strengths, and weaknesses of decision-support tools in order to identify best practices for measuring socio-economic impacts of management plans and to facilitate a holistic view of marine ecosystems. Full article