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Maritime spatial planning

2013/0074(COD)

The Committee on Transport and Tourism adopted the report by Gesine MEISSNER (ADLE, DE) on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a framework for maritime spatial planning and integrated coastal management (ICM)

The committee recommended that the European Parliament’s position adopted at first reading, following the ordinary legislative procedure, should amend the Commission proposal as follows:

Scope: Members stipulated that the Directive should establish a framework for maritime spatial planning involving – where appropriate – integrated coastal management aiming at promoting the sustainable development and growth of maritime and coastal economies and the sustainable use of marine and coastal resources, in particular by supporting the priority areas identified in the Commission Communication of 13 September 2012 on Blue Growth Opportunities for Marine and Maritime Sustainable Growth.

Flexibility for Member States: in accordance with the subsidiarity principle, Members called for the new Directive to ensure more flexibility for the Member States to choose how to implement ICM. The provisions of this Directive shall apply to all marine waters and coastal zones of the Union, in compliance with existing Union and national law.

Member States may decide whether to follow an integrated approach or to establish maritime spatial plans and integrated coastal management strategies separately. They shall remain responsible for designing and determining the content of such plans and strategies, including the apportionment of maritime space to the different sector activities and maritime and marine uses.

Maritime spatial plans and integrated coastal management strategies shall aim to ensure effective participation of the stakeholders and ensure effective trans-boundary cooperation between Member States.

Ecosystem-based approach and economic and social criteria: maritime spatial plans and integrated coastal management strategies shall apply the ecosystem-based approach and economic and social criteria at the same level to support sustainable development and growth in the maritime sector.

Common minimum requirements for the programmes and strategies: maritime spatial plans and integrated coastal management strategies should be based on the best available data and, on the other hand, guarantee the necessary flexibility to take future developments into account.

  • When establishing maritime spatial plans, Member States shall take into consideration, inter alia, the following uses and activities (i) installations for the extraction of energy and the production of renewable energy, and for bringing it onshore; (ii) oil, gas and other raw materials exploration and extraction sites and infrastructures; (iii) existing and potential fishing areas; (iv)  nature and species protection and conservation sites, Natura 2000 areas, other sensitive marine ecosystems and surrounding areas; (v) marine and coastal tourism; (vi) cultural heritage protection sites; (vii) military training areas.
  • When establishing integrated coastal management strategies, Member States shall take into consideration: (i) existing formal and informal practices, networks and cross-border cooperation mechanisms; (ii) relevant activities, installations, facilities and infrastructure; (iii) protection, conservation, restoration and management of coastal ecosystems, protected deltas and wetland areas; (iv) coastal landscapes and islands mitigation and adaptation to climate change, in particular increasing the resilience of the ecosystem.

Public participation: Members shall ensure that the relevant stakeholders, the authoritiesat the various levels and the public concerned are consulted on the draft plans and strategies and have access to the results once available.

Cooperation with third countries: Member States bordering a coastal zone or maritime area of a third country shall, in compliance with International Maritime Law and Conventions, consult that country and make every effort to cooperate and coordinate their maritime spatial plans and integrated coastal management strategies with that third country in the marine region or sub-region and the related coastal zone concerned.