103
Another barrier to MSP is the lack, and fragmentation of data on marine spatial uses which could
slow down the planning process, as MSP maps are necessary, and very data demanding, a
detailed diagnosis, and collection of data is essential. Despite the difficulties faced to collect
spatial data on the study area, mapping (both of actors, and spatial) as an MSP tool is proven to
be very useful to highlight maritime space conflicts as a first step to work on them, and also to
support the establishment of MCPAs through a holistic vision including all concerned actors, as
it helps to define ones with key roles, evaluate their objectives, conflict, and alliance potentials,
and also to visualise the user-user, and user-environment links in the area.
The participatory principle is very important to the success, and the sustainability of an MSP
policy; thus, the involvement of economic operators and civil society is essential despite the fact
that they‟re used to only undergoing planning strategies although they could be beneficial
stakeholders.
At a local scale, the Edough mounts future MCPA is a good example stressing the need of spatial
planning of marine and coastal areas in Algeria. Indeed, using MSP principles and tools such as
information, and concertation mechanisms, or spatial mapping could support the MCPA‟s
establishment process through targeting existing conflict, and dealing with them in an integrated
participatory approach, or even predicting potential ones around the area to be protected. Also,
analysis, and mapping of the game of actors involved in the process provides useful information
about actors‟ profiles, key actors, conflict potentials, and highlights potential alliances that could
optimize means, and efforts to achieve common objectives.
A considerable gap exists between theoretical actors‟ relationships, and the way they exercise
their power in the field. This could be explained by the lack of means, and competencies in
practice or by the lack of consideration of social variants, and the standardized objectives, which
are not adapted to the Algerian context, in theory. Hence, it would be interesting to get inspired
from MSP good practices and successful examples both at the regional, and international scale
such as the Adriatic MSP initiative, but it is not advisable to duplicate or strictly follow them, as
the planning process needs to be adapted to the country‟ institutional, and social aspects.
Moreover, MSP could also play a key role in the management of the protected area once
officially created.
Finally, results of this work confirm that the current state of MSP in Algeria is summarized in
hypothesis B (MSP in Algeria is driven by activities, strategies, and sectorial plans), and that an
MSP policy must be developed in this context with the aim to move towards hypothesis A
(Algerian waters are subject to regulatory maritime spatial planning) in the medium-, and longterm perspectives. In order to do so, the necessary conditions need to be provided including
adequate institutional, and legislative frameworks along with adapted skills, technical
requirements, awareness raising at all levels, in particular at the level of planners, decision
makers, local authorities, and economic operators, and a complete diagnosis of the country‟s
maritime, and coastal space uses.
In conclusion, political will remains the main trigger of planning policies in the country because
only when decision-makers are convinced of the need for such a concept, will they deploy means
to develop it. No matter which driver will initiate MSP in Algeria, the policy must be led by an
Another barrier to MSP is the lack, and fragmentation of data on marine spatial uses which could
slow down the planning process, as MSP maps are necessary, and very data demanding, a
detailed diagnosis, and collection of data is essential. Despite the difficulties faced to collect
spatial data on the study area, mapping (both of actors, and spatial) as an MSP tool is proven to
be very useful to highlight maritime space conflicts as a first step to work on them, and also to
support the establishment of MCPAs through a holistic vision including all concerned actors, as
it helps to define ones with key roles, evaluate their objectives, conflict, and alliance potentials,
and also to visualise the user-user, and user-environment links in the area.
The participatory principle is very important to the success, and the sustainability of an MSP
policy; thus, the involvement of economic operators and civil society is essential despite the fact
that they‟re used to only undergoing planning strategies although they could be beneficial
stakeholders.
At a local scale, the Edough mounts future MCPA is a good example stressing the need of spatial
planning of marine and coastal areas in Algeria. Indeed, using MSP principles and tools such as
information, and concertation mechanisms, or spatial mapping could support the MCPA‟s
establishment process through targeting existing conflict, and dealing with them in an integrated
participatory approach, or even predicting potential ones around the area to be protected. Also,
analysis, and mapping of the game of actors involved in the process provides useful information
about actors‟ profiles, key actors, conflict potentials, and highlights potential alliances that could
optimize means, and efforts to achieve common objectives.
A considerable gap exists between theoretical actors‟ relationships, and the way they exercise
their power in the field. This could be explained by the lack of means, and competencies in
practice or by the lack of consideration of social variants, and the standardized objectives, which
are not adapted to the Algerian context, in theory. Hence, it would be interesting to get inspired
from MSP good practices and successful examples both at the regional, and international scale
such as the Adriatic MSP initiative, but it is not advisable to duplicate or strictly follow them, as
the planning process needs to be adapted to the country‟ institutional, and social aspects.
Moreover, MSP could also play a key role in the management of the protected area once
officially created.
Finally, results of this work confirm that the current state of MSP in Algeria is summarized in
hypothesis B (MSP in Algeria is driven by activities, strategies, and sectorial plans), and that an
MSP policy must be developed in this context with the aim to move towards hypothesis A
(Algerian waters are subject to regulatory maritime spatial planning) in the medium-, and longterm perspectives. In order to do so, the necessary conditions need to be provided including
adequate institutional, and legislative frameworks along with adapted skills, technical
requirements, awareness raising at all levels, in particular at the level of planners, decision
makers, local authorities, and economic operators, and a complete diagnosis of the country‟s
maritime, and coastal space uses.
In conclusion, political will remains the main trigger of planning policies in the country because
only when decision-makers are convinced of the need for such a concept, will they deploy means
to develop it. No matter which driver will initiate MSP in Algeria, the policy must be led by an