(FAO 2013). For example, designating appropriate aquaculture areas and then
linking these areas to streamlined licensing procedures could render development
less uncertain and increase investor interest (EC 2013). As a strategic tool, MSP can
allocate space for aquaculture at sites with both favorable operational characteristics
(economic and ecological) as well as lower potential for conflict with other sectors
(FAO 2013). MSP would also allow for more structured consideration of
co-location of different uses, such as aquaculture taking place around offshore wind
structures, providing both a venue for the respective stakeholders to come together
and a greater incentive for investment. Hence, the most important reason for
aquaculture proponents to engage fully in MSP may be its emphasis on
cross-sectoral dialogue and conflict resolution. A well-run MSP process can turn
aquaculture from a relatively minor player in a very large debate to an equal
participant at the table, able to explain and advocate for its requirements for space at
sea (project 2013). The value of open, fair dialogue is particularly relevant in
interactions with the environmental sector, but also in considering other uses that
might restrict or conflict with aquaculture operations. A 2006 report that examined
the suitability of co-locating aquaculture and offshore wind farms in the UK found
that the offshore wind energy sector would resist such efforts and concluded that
MSP, accompanied by semi-commercial trials, was the only viable way forward for
this type of co-use in the UK (Mee 2006).
6.3 Decision Support Systems for MSP
and Aquaculture Siting
The EU MSP Directive stipulates that maritime spatial plans should be based on
reliable data and encourages Member States to share information and make use of
existing instruments and tools for data collection (EPC 2014a); (Article 19). Given
the spatial context of MSP, applications to scale economic, environmental, and
social dimensions geographically are in high demand (Kapetsky et al. 2013). Spatial
data are commonly handled in GIS that make it possible to translate many workflows into a connected series of process steps (Stelzenmüller et al. 2012). Thus,
from a practical perspective, sustainable MSP requires not only spatially explicit
information about suitable areas but also a sound spatial assessment of the overlap
of human activities (Stelzenmüller et al. 2012) and their combined impact on the
marine environment (Kelly et al. 2014). Even more challenging, the identification
of a suitable site for a given use does not just depend on physical, chemical
and biological factors, but also on political, economic, and social criteria (Wever
et al. 2015).
As a result of these challenges, flexible Decision Support Systems (DSS) that are
able to consider complex interactions in a unique analytical framework are critical.
DSS can be distinguished based on their relative focus on data, models, knowledge,
or communication (Power 2003). Current DSS can range from simple spreadsheet
134
V. Stelzenmüller et al.
linking these areas to streamlined licensing procedures could render development
less uncertain and increase investor interest (EC 2013). As a strategic tool, MSP can
allocate space for aquaculture at sites with both favorable operational characteristics
(economic and ecological) as well as lower potential for conflict with other sectors
(FAO 2013). MSP would also allow for more structured consideration of
co-location of different uses, such as aquaculture taking place around offshore wind
structures, providing both a venue for the respective stakeholders to come together
and a greater incentive for investment. Hence, the most important reason for
aquaculture proponents to engage fully in MSP may be its emphasis on
cross-sectoral dialogue and conflict resolution. A well-run MSP process can turn
aquaculture from a relatively minor player in a very large debate to an equal
participant at the table, able to explain and advocate for its requirements for space at
sea (project 2013). The value of open, fair dialogue is particularly relevant in
interactions with the environmental sector, but also in considering other uses that
might restrict or conflict with aquaculture operations. A 2006 report that examined
the suitability of co-locating aquaculture and offshore wind farms in the UK found
that the offshore wind energy sector would resist such efforts and concluded that
MSP, accompanied by semi-commercial trials, was the only viable way forward for
this type of co-use in the UK (Mee 2006).
6.3 Decision Support Systems for MSP
and Aquaculture Siting
The EU MSP Directive stipulates that maritime spatial plans should be based on
reliable data and encourages Member States to share information and make use of
existing instruments and tools for data collection (EPC 2014a); (Article 19). Given
the spatial context of MSP, applications to scale economic, environmental, and
social dimensions geographically are in high demand (Kapetsky et al. 2013). Spatial
data are commonly handled in GIS that make it possible to translate many workflows into a connected series of process steps (Stelzenmüller et al. 2012). Thus,
from a practical perspective, sustainable MSP requires not only spatially explicit
information about suitable areas but also a sound spatial assessment of the overlap
of human activities (Stelzenmüller et al. 2012) and their combined impact on the
marine environment (Kelly et al. 2014). Even more challenging, the identification
of a suitable site for a given use does not just depend on physical, chemical
and biological factors, but also on political, economic, and social criteria (Wever
et al. 2015).
As a result of these challenges, flexible Decision Support Systems (DSS) that are
able to consider complex interactions in a unique analytical framework are critical.
DSS can be distinguished based on their relative focus on data, models, knowledge,
or communication (Power 2003). Current DSS can range from simple spreadsheet
134
V. Stelzenmüller et al.