22
5.2. MSP and blue economy
Marine spatial planning (MSP) is used to create geospatial plans that identify what spaces of the
ocean are appropriate for different uses, and activities. These plans have similarities with
sustainable ocean economy plans, which describe how to sustainably use the ocean, and its
resources to advance economic, and social development (Winther et al., 2020).
On a global scale, economy linked to maritime sectors is considered to be the new gate of
economic development (Planbleu, 2018). Although it has many definitions (table 6), it is safe to
say that an ocean or "maritime" economy is said to be "blue" to indicate sustainable growth (Patil
et al., 2018) aiming to ensure a continuous supply of goods, and services for present, and future
generations while preserving the health of marine, and coastal ecosystems. In practice, one of the
enablers of blue economy is marine spatial planning.
Table 6 : A non exaustive list of blue economy definitions
Organisme
Blue economy definitions
MSPglobal, 2021
Ocean‟ or „maritime‟ economy is the sum of ocean-based economic
activities, assets, goods, and services. It covers a wide range of established
sectors, such as fisheries, maritime transport, and tourism, as well as
emerging sectors, such as offshore renewable energy, aquaculture, and
marine biotechnology.
PlanBleu, 2018
The blue economy is a low-polluting, resource-efficient circular economy
based on sustainable consumption, and production patterns, promoting
human well-being, and social equality, generating economic value, and
jobs, significantly reducing environmental risks, and ecological shortages.
Union for the
Mediterranean (2015)
A definition adapted to
the Mediterranean
context
The Blue Economy is the set of human activities depending on the sea
and/or underpinned by land-sea interactions in the context of sustainable
development, and notably including industrial, and service sectors such as
aquaculture, fisheries, blue biotechnologies, coastal, and maritime tourism,
shipping, ship-building/repair, ports, ocean energy, and marine renewable
energy, including offshore wind, which are among the main traditional, and
emerging economic maritime sectors in the Mediterranean Sea basin
http://ufmsecretariat.org/wp)
The European Union
(EU) Directive
2014/89/EU establishing
a framework for MSP
(EULEX, 2014)
A process by which the relevant Member State‟s authorities analyse and
organise human activities in marine areas to achieve ecological, economic,
and social objectives. Through their maritime spatial plans, Member States
shall aim to contribute to the sustainable development of energy sectors at
sea, of maritime transport, and of the fisheries, and aquaculture sectors,
and to the preservation, protection, and improvement of the environment,
including resilience to climate change impacts. In addition, Member States
may pursue other objectives such as the promotion of sustainable tourism,
and the sustainable extraction of raw materials.
UN Environment
Blue Economy is defined as a "green economy in a blue world", since "a
global transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient Green Economy will
not be possible unless the seas, and oceans are a key part of these urgently
needed transformations"
5.2. MSP and blue economy
Marine spatial planning (MSP) is used to create geospatial plans that identify what spaces of the
ocean are appropriate for different uses, and activities. These plans have similarities with
sustainable ocean economy plans, which describe how to sustainably use the ocean, and its
resources to advance economic, and social development (Winther et al., 2020).
On a global scale, economy linked to maritime sectors is considered to be the new gate of
economic development (Planbleu, 2018). Although it has many definitions (table 6), it is safe to
say that an ocean or "maritime" economy is said to be "blue" to indicate sustainable growth (Patil
et al., 2018) aiming to ensure a continuous supply of goods, and services for present, and future
generations while preserving the health of marine, and coastal ecosystems. In practice, one of the
enablers of blue economy is marine spatial planning.
Table 6 : A non exaustive list of blue economy definitions
Organisme
Blue economy definitions
MSPglobal, 2021
Ocean‟ or „maritime‟ economy is the sum of ocean-based economic
activities, assets, goods, and services. It covers a wide range of established
sectors, such as fisheries, maritime transport, and tourism, as well as
emerging sectors, such as offshore renewable energy, aquaculture, and
marine biotechnology.
PlanBleu, 2018
The blue economy is a low-polluting, resource-efficient circular economy
based on sustainable consumption, and production patterns, promoting
human well-being, and social equality, generating economic value, and
jobs, significantly reducing environmental risks, and ecological shortages.
Union for the
Mediterranean (2015)
A definition adapted to
the Mediterranean
context
The Blue Economy is the set of human activities depending on the sea
and/or underpinned by land-sea interactions in the context of sustainable
development, and notably including industrial, and service sectors such as
aquaculture, fisheries, blue biotechnologies, coastal, and maritime tourism,
shipping, ship-building/repair, ports, ocean energy, and marine renewable
energy, including offshore wind, which are among the main traditional, and
emerging economic maritime sectors in the Mediterranean Sea basin
http://ufmsecretariat.org/wp)
The European Union
(EU) Directive
2014/89/EU establishing
a framework for MSP
(EULEX, 2014)
A process by which the relevant Member State‟s authorities analyse and
organise human activities in marine areas to achieve ecological, economic,
and social objectives. Through their maritime spatial plans, Member States
shall aim to contribute to the sustainable development of energy sectors at
sea, of maritime transport, and of the fisheries, and aquaculture sectors,
and to the preservation, protection, and improvement of the environment,
including resilience to climate change impacts. In addition, Member States
may pursue other objectives such as the promotion of sustainable tourism,
and the sustainable extraction of raw materials.
UN Environment
Blue Economy is defined as a "green economy in a blue world", since "a
global transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient Green Economy will
not be possible unless the seas, and oceans are a key part of these urgently
needed transformations"