Maritime spatial planning

The European Parliament adopted by 470 to 96 votes with 9 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a framework for maritime spatial planning and integrated coastal maritime spatial planning and integrated coastal management.

The report was sent back to committee at the plenary session of 12 December 2013.

Parliament adopted its position at first reading following the ordinary legislative procedure. The amendments adopted in plenary are the result of an agreement negotiated between the European Parliament and the Council. They modify the proposal as follows:

Purpose: Parliament and the Council wanted to establish a framework for maritime spatial planning aiming at promoting the sustainable growth of maritime economies, the sustainable development of marine areas and the sustainable use of marine resources.

The framework should take into account land-sea interactions and enhanced cross-border cooperation, in accordance with relevant United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provisions.

The Directive should not interfere with Member States' competence to design and determine, within the marine waters, the extent and coverage of their maritime spatial plans. It should not apply to town and country planning and not affect the sovereign rights and jurisdiction of Member States over marine waters which derive from relevant International Law.

Objectives of maritime spatial planning: when establishing and implementing maritime spatial planning, Member States should consider economic, social and environmental aspects, applying an eco-system based approach. They should aim to contribute to the sustainable development of energy sectors at sea, of maritime transport, of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, and the preservation, protection and improvement of the environment including the resilience to climate change impacts. Other objectives may be pursued such as the promotion of sustainable tourism and the sustainable extraction of raw materials

Set-up of maritime spatial plans: Member States need at least to ensure that the planning process or processes result in a comprehensive planning identifying the different uses of maritime space, taking into consideration long term changes due to climate change. The activities and uses and interests may include for example: i) fishing and aquaculture areas; ii) infrastructures for the exploration, exploitation and extraction of oil, gas and mineral, as well as other energy resources and the production of renewable energy; iii) maritime transport routes and traffic flows; iv) military training areas; v) protected areas; vi) raw material extraction areas; vii) scientific research; and viii) tourism and underwater cultural heritage.

Public participation: stakeholders, authorities and the public concerned should be informed and consulted in the first phases and should have access to the plans once they are finalised.

Data use and sharing: Member States should organise the use of the best available data, and decide how to organise the sharing of information, necessary for maritime spatial plans

Cooperation with third countries: Member States should endeavour, where possible, to cooperate with third countries on their actions with regard to maritime spatial planning in the relevant marine regions and in accordance with international law and conventions, such as by using existing international fora or regional institutional cooperation.