Introducing Maritime Spatial Planning in the Baltic Sea

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The € 3,7 m project BaltSeaPlan (2009-2012) accompanied the EU Maritime Policy by supporting the introduction of Integrated Maritime Spatial Planning and preparation of National Maritime Strategies within Baltic Sea Region. It also contributed to the implementation of the HELCOM recommendation on broad-scale Maritime Spatial Planning & the VASAB Gdańsk Declaration. Background The Baltic Sea is a unique inland sea: It is a dynamic economic area & at the same time characterised by special geographical and environmental conditions. The different sea uses such as shipping, fishery, wind farms or mineral extraction are increasingly competing for the limited sea space. On top of this the fragile Baltic ecosystem and the threats of climate change call for a balanced multi-sectoral approach. A wise, pro-active maritime spatial planning (MSP) can not only avoid conflicts, but also create synergies and thus lay the basis for a sustainable maritime development. MSP has therefore become a widely acknowledged and necessary tool for co-ordinating spatial use and balancing of interests in the sea. At the time, when the BaltSeaPlan project was initiated, MSP was far from being established practice. Hardly any country within the Baltic Sea region had established the necessary legislation and/or appointed the institutions in charge for MSP. This was the challenge but also the chance for the BaltSeaPlan project, which aimed to create the basis for developing, introducing and implementing maritime spatial planning throughout the Baltic Sea in a coherent manner. Activities a) Improve the information basis for MSP • Dialogue forum: spatial planners & scientists • Compilation of current uses, conflicts and natural values of the Baltic Sea • Fill some data gaps for MSP Pilots • Collection of suitable modelling tools for MSP • Create model for BSR wide data exchange b) Include Spatial Planning in National Maritime Strategies • assess national frameworks and sectoral strategies influencing the sea space use (e.g. energy, fishery, transport, tourism, as well as nature conservation) • prepare recommendations on spatial issues within National Maritime Strategies c) Develop a Common Spatial Vision for the Baltic Sea • develop jointly a BSR wide spatial vision on how the BSR would look like in 2030 in case MSP is put into practice from now on - taking into account transnational interdependencies and cumulative impacts d) Demonstrate various steps of MSP in 8 pilot areas e) Lobbying and capacity building for MSP • Stakeholder involvement & participative planning methods • BaltSeaPlan series of guidelines & policy recommendations • Workshops & conferences for decision-makers

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