Europe needs maritime spatial planning to avoid over-exploitation of our seas (Science Business)

Editor’s Note:  Marine Spatial Planning is generally a thinly veiled attempt to shift ocean uses to renewable energy uses at the expense of existing ocean uses, such as fishing and shipping.  See the Massachusetts Ocean Plan and recent efforts in the US Senate.  Accordingly, it is important that the EU efforts to implement marine spatial planning be focused on job creation and development of the blue economy, rather than an effort to implement global climate change policies. The CRE agrees with MEP Maria do Céu Patrão Neves that technology and spatial planning should be used to strengthen existing ocean uses, such as fishing.

EP adopts Maritime Spatial Planning legislation (FIS)

From: FIS

The European Parliament (EP) has endorsed a Directive for Maritime Spatial Planning which should help Member States develop plans to better coordinate the various activities that take place at sea, ensuring they are as efficient and sustainable as possible.

In coastal and maritime areas, many activities compete for the same space and resources: fishing grounds, aquaculture farms, marine protected areas exist alongside maritime infrastructures, such as cables, pipelines, shipping lanes and oil, gas and wind installations. The new Directive will help avoid potential conflicts between such diverse uses and create a stable environment attractive to investors, thereby contributing to sustainable growth.

Review of the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan

The Review of the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan was recently released.  The report is available in its entirety here.

The CRE prepared a white paper on the Massachusetts Ocean Management Plan after it was implemented.  The CRE white paper is available here.

Marine planning could benefit ‘blue’ industries, report says (The Coast News)

From: The Coast News

REGION — The Yukon, a retired Canadian Navy ship, sits on the ocean floor offshore of Mission Beach.

The ship, which was sunk on purpose in 2000 to draw recreational divers, generates an estimated $5.7 million for San Diego’s diving and hospitality economy every year.

To bring more divers to the region, the nonprofit group California Ships to Reef would like to submerge more ships. A new process called marine spatial would help them identify the best spots to do so.