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5.3. MSP and ICZM
Integrated coastal zone management (ICZM), also called „integrated coastal management‟, is the
process of managing the coast, and nearshore waters in an integrated, and comprehensive manner
with the goal of achieving conservation, and sustainable use (Katona et al., 2017). ICZM covers
the full cycle, including information collection, planning, decision-making, management, and
implementation. The approach seeks informed participation, and cooperation from all relevant
stakeholders. It seeks integration of the goals, and instruments needed to meet these objectives;
of different policy areas, sectors, and levels of administration; and of the land, and sea
components of the target area. The distinction between coast, and ocean becomes more complex
when considering the possibility of including „land-sea interactions‟ in MSP. On one hand, MSP
is sometimes considered as the main tool for the implementation of ICZM in the marine area of
coastal zones (Barcelona Convention COP, 2021), on the other hand, ICZM is referred to as a
parallel, and distinct design process, which should ensure „consistency‟. So, it‟s safe to say that
MSP is the extension of TSP (territorial spatial planning) through ICZM further out to the sea.
5.4. MSP and the Ecosystem-based Approach
The CBD (2000) defines the ecosystem approach as a strategy for the integrated management of
land, water, and living resources that promotes conservation, and sustainable use in an equitable
way. This principle implies a primary focus on maintaining and, when possible, restoring
ecosystem structure, and functioning within a marine area. It includes the recognition that
ecosystems are dynamic, changing, and sometimes poorly understood.
MSP is expected to apply an ecosystem-based approach (EBA) by ensuring that spatial
distribution, and related decision-making considers the principles, and elements of EBA. The
coupling of MSP, and EBA ensures that planning looks beyond jurisdictional boundaries,
cumulative impacts are considered, a precautionary approach is applied, and planning is adaptive
(Ansong et al., 2017). In other words, MSP is intended to inform the spatial distribution of
maritime uses, and activities in a sustainable manner that recognises, and operationalizes the
following EBA elements (UNEP, 2011):
-
Aligning with ecosystem boundaries
-
Managing for multiple objectives/benefits
-
Considering cumulative impacts
-
Using best-available science, and information
-
Applying the precautionary approach to deal with uncertainty
-
Managing adaptively.
Through the use of the ecosystem approach, Marine Spatial Planning benefits from a series of
sustainability assessments, and generates an integrated plan, contributing to the achievement of
Good Environmental Status (GES). Thus, it ensures that the capacity of marine ecosystems to
respond to human-induced changes is not compromised (ADRIATIC Project).
5.3. MSP and ICZM
Integrated coastal zone management (ICZM), also called „integrated coastal management‟, is the
process of managing the coast, and nearshore waters in an integrated, and comprehensive manner
with the goal of achieving conservation, and sustainable use (Katona et al., 2017). ICZM covers
the full cycle, including information collection, planning, decision-making, management, and
implementation. The approach seeks informed participation, and cooperation from all relevant
stakeholders. It seeks integration of the goals, and instruments needed to meet these objectives;
of different policy areas, sectors, and levels of administration; and of the land, and sea
components of the target area. The distinction between coast, and ocean becomes more complex
when considering the possibility of including „land-sea interactions‟ in MSP. On one hand, MSP
is sometimes considered as the main tool for the implementation of ICZM in the marine area of
coastal zones (Barcelona Convention COP, 2021), on the other hand, ICZM is referred to as a
parallel, and distinct design process, which should ensure „consistency‟. So, it‟s safe to say that
MSP is the extension of TSP (territorial spatial planning) through ICZM further out to the sea.
5.4. MSP and the Ecosystem-based Approach
The CBD (2000) defines the ecosystem approach as a strategy for the integrated management of
land, water, and living resources that promotes conservation, and sustainable use in an equitable
way. This principle implies a primary focus on maintaining and, when possible, restoring
ecosystem structure, and functioning within a marine area. It includes the recognition that
ecosystems are dynamic, changing, and sometimes poorly understood.
MSP is expected to apply an ecosystem-based approach (EBA) by ensuring that spatial
distribution, and related decision-making considers the principles, and elements of EBA. The
coupling of MSP, and EBA ensures that planning looks beyond jurisdictional boundaries,
cumulative impacts are considered, a precautionary approach is applied, and planning is adaptive
(Ansong et al., 2017). In other words, MSP is intended to inform the spatial distribution of
maritime uses, and activities in a sustainable manner that recognises, and operationalizes the
following EBA elements (UNEP, 2011):
-
Aligning with ecosystem boundaries
-
Managing for multiple objectives/benefits
-
Considering cumulative impacts
-
Using best-available science, and information
-
Applying the precautionary approach to deal with uncertainty
-
Managing adaptively.
Through the use of the ecosystem approach, Marine Spatial Planning benefits from a series of
sustainability assessments, and generates an integrated plan, contributing to the achievement of
Good Environmental Status (GES). Thus, it ensures that the capacity of marine ecosystems to
respond to human-induced changes is not compromised (ADRIATIC Project).