Spatial planning in the marine environment

1. Spatial planning in the marine environment Gillian Glegg and Jonathan Richards

2. Marine Planning • Is an ‘evolving idea’ which has been the focus of an intensive study by UNESCO • Has been used in Australia, Canada and a few other areas • Is a key feature in the Marine and Coastal Access Bill Plymouth Mar Bill Jan09

3. “Our seas provide food, transport, recreation, relaxation and inspiration” Lord Hunt of King’s Heath at the 2nd reading of the Marine and Coastal Access Bill to the House of Commons Plymouth Mar Bill Jan09

4. Many competing activities • Fishing – potting, dredging, cultivation • Transport –goods and people • Aggregate extraction • Oil and gas exploration • Conservation • Recreation including • Shore based activities (walking, • On / in water activities (sailing, diving) • Renewable energy generation • Wind power • Wave power • Tidal power Plymouth Mar Bill Jan09

5. Renewable energy such as wave power presents new challenges Artists impression of the SW Wave Hub (SWRDA) Plymouth Mar Bill Jan09

6. And different interests…. Marine Bill Plymouth Jan 09

7. And different interests…. Can sometimes be in conflict! Oct.2009 From cbwps.org.uk

8. Why do we need marine planning? • Increasing diversity and extent of sea uses • Evidence of excessive use/ failure of current systems e.g. • Conflicts between user groups • Pressure on certain habitat types • Requirements of EU directives to meet • Marine Strategy Framework Directive Plymouth Mar Bill Jan09

9. Marine spatial planning The process of analysing and allocating parts of three - dimensional marine spaces (ecosystems) to specific uses, to achieve ecological, economic, and social objectives that are usually specified through a political process' (Ehler & Douvere 2007) LGiU/LGA Oct.2009

10. The UK’s path to planning • Assessment of the way forward • Safeguarding our Seas • State of our Seas • Pilot planning project in Irish Sea • The Marine and Coastal Access Bill - Marine plans and planning are a key component Plymouth Mar Bill Jan09

11. What does the Bill say? • It defines the planning regions • It defines the Marine Plan Authorities and allows delegation • It notes plans must be in accordance with the Marine Policy Statement • It makes clear plans must be kept under review • It states decisions in a marine plan area must be taken in accordance the MPS and marine plan adopted Plymouth Mar Bill Jan09

12. The Basic Steps to MP Spatial data Goals and objectives Planning guidance, relevant legislation Assessment of the region integrating objectives, conflicts, opportunities etc Monitor + review Monitor + review Generation of plans; scenario assessment and consideration Implement planning and management options (Taken from Gilliand and Lafolley, 2008)

13. Good practice? What do we know about implementation under the Marine and Coastal Access Bill? How does this compare to the key lessons learned from the UNESCO workshop? (Ehler, 2008) Plymouth Mar Bill Jan09

14. Good practice? • A statutory enforceable process for marine spatial planning Plymouth Mar Bill Jan09

15. Planning guidance, relevant legislation Spatial data Goals and objectives Assessment of the region integrating objectives, conflicts, opportunities etc Monitor + review Generation of plans; scenario assessment and consideration Monitor + review Implement planning and management options (Taken from Gilliand and Lafolley, 2008) Plymouth Mar Bill Jan09

16. Good practice? • A statutory enforceable process for marine spatial planning • Clear and measurable objectives Plymouth Mar Bill Jan09

17. Planning guidance, relevant legislation Spatial data Goals and objectives Assessment of the region integrating objectives, conflicts, opportunities etc Monitor + review Generation of plans; scenario assessment and consideration Monitor + review Implement planning and management options (Taken from Gilliand and Lafolley, 2008) Plymouth Mar Bill Jan09

18. The Marine Policy Statement should enable, in 20 years, the vision to be achieved e.g. “clean, safe, healthy, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas, the ‘Good Environmental Status’ required by the EU Marine Strategy and the ‘Good Status’ required by WFD” Plymouth Mar Bill Jan09

19. Consultation on high level objectives (or goals) closed in September 2008 LGiU/LGA Oct.2009

20. Goals proposed included • Achieving a sustainable marine economy • Ensuring a strong, healthy and just society • Living within environmental limits • Promoting good governance • Using sound science reasonably (including precautionary principle) Need SMART objectives and indicators for practical application LGiU/LGA Oct.2009

21. SMART • Specific • Measurable • Achievable • Realistic • Time limited Objectives that relate to ‘clean, healthy, productive and biologically diverse’ seas LGiU/LGA Oct.2009

22. Good practice? • A statutory enforceable process for marine spatial planning • Clear goals and SMART objectives Plymouth Mar Bill Jan09

23. Good practice? • A statutory enforceable process for marine spatial planning • Clear goals and SMART objectives • A sound information base Plymouth Mar Bill Jan09

24. Planning guidance, relevant legislation Spatial data Goals and objectives Assessment of the region integrating objectives, conflicts, opportunities etc Monitor + review Generation of plans; scenario assessment and consideration Monitor + review Implement planning and management options (Taken from Gilliand and Lafolley, 2008) Plymouth Mar Bill Jan09

25. Good practice? • A statutory enforceable process for marine spatial planning • Clear goals and SMART objectives • A sound information base comprising social and natural science information Plymouth Mar Bill Jan09

26. Good practice? • A statutory enforceable process for marine spatial planning • Clear goals and SMART objectives • A sound information base comprising social and natural science information • Stakeholder involvement early and often Plymouth Mar Bill Jan09

27. Review of plans must be carried out after 3 years and take into consideration • The physical, environmental, social, cultural, and economic characteristics of the region and the living resources it supports • The purposes for which it is used • Communications, energy and transport • Its contribution to the implementation of the Marine Policy Statement Plymouth Mar Bill Jan09

28. Good practice? • A statutory enforceable process for marine spatial planning • Clear goals and SMART objectives • A sound information base comprising social and natural science information • Stakeholder involvement early and often • Integration of MSP with other plans e.g. terrestrial land use, catchment and ICZM Plymouth Mar Bill Jan09

29. So how does the draft Bill measure up? So far so good but there is a lack of clarity -the structure is there but how will this be implemented Plymouth Mar Bill Jan09

30. Uncertainties and concerns • Scale of plans; level of detail • Integration with existing management activities • Stakeholder engagement - mechanisms • Tools to be used Plymouth Mar Bill Jan09

31. Tools • Zoning • Based on habitat types or activity zones? • Cumulative effect assessment • Really cumulative or just additive? • Decision support systems • for use by scientists or regulators and planners? Plymouth Mar Bill Jan09

32. Uncertainties and concerns • Scale of plans; level of detail • Integration with existing management activities • Stakeholder engagement - mechanisms • Tools to be used • Resources – human and financial Plymouth Mar Bill Jan09