Spatial planning in the marine environment Gillian Glegg and Jonathan Richards

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 Jan092

“Our seas provide food, transport, recreation, relaxation and inspiration” Lord Hunt of King’s Heath at the 2 nd reading of the Marine and Coastal Access Bill to the House of Commons Plymouth Mar Bill Jan093

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 Jan094

Renewable energy such as wave power presents new challenges Plymouth Mar Bill Jan095 Artists impression of the SW Wave Hub (SWRDA)

And different interests…. Marine Bill Plymouth Jan 096

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

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 Jan098

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.20099

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 Jan0910

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 11Plymouth Mar Bill Jan09

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

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 Jan0913

Good practice? A statutory enforceable process for marine spatial planning Plymouth Mar Bill Jan0914

Plymouth Mar Bill Jan0915 Goals and objectives Spatial data Planning guidance, relevant legislation Assessment of the region integrating objectives, conflicts, opportunities etc Generation of plans; scenario assessment and consideration Implement planning and management options Monitor + review Monitor + review (Taken from Gilliand and Lafolley, 2008)

Good practice? A statutory enforceable process for marine spatial planning Clear and measurable objectives Plymouth Mar Bill Jan0916

Plymouth Mar Bill Jan0917 Goals and objectives Spatial data Planning guidance, relevant legislation Assessment of the region integrating objectives, conflicts, opportunities etc Generation of plans; scenario assessment and consideration Implement planning and management options Monitor + review Monitor + review (Taken from Gilliand and Lafolley, 2008)

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 ” 18Plymouth Mar Bill Jan09

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

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

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

Good practice? A statutory enforceable process for marine spatial planning Clear goals and SMART objectives Plymouth Mar Bill Jan0922

Good practice? A statutory enforceable process for marine spatial planning Clear goals and SMART objectives A sound information base Plymouth Mar Bill Jan0923

Plymouth Mar Bill Jan0924 Goals and objectives Spatial data Planning guidance, relevant legislation Assessment of the region integrating objectives, conflicts, opportunities etc Generation of plans; scenario assessment and consideration Implement planning and management options Monitor + review Monitor + review (Taken from Gilliand and Lafolley, 2008)

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 Jan0925

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 Jan0926

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 27Plymouth Mar Bill Jan09

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 Jan0928

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 Jan0929

Uncertainties and concerns Scale of plans; level of detail Integration with existing management activities Stakeholder engagement - mechanisms Tools to be used Plymouth Mar Bill Jan0930

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 Jan0931

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 Jan0932