35
Plan, and the Barcelona Convention protocols (Dumping, Prevention, and Emergency, LandBased Sources, Specially Protected Areas, and Biological Diversity, Offshore, Hazardous
Wastes, and ICZM), the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development focusing on the
implementation of Barcelona Convention while establishing regulatory mechanisms, including
MSP, the Union for the Mediterranean aiming to enhance dialogue among the northern, and
southern Mediterranean countries, the Ecosystem Approach initiative meant to achieve an
ecosystem-based management, and good environmental status of the Mediterranean Sea, the
European Union Directive on MSP, and the Western Mediterranean Initiative established to
foster a resilient Blue Economy, and a secure, and better-governed Mediterranean
(IOC/UNESCO, 2021).
At a national scale, progress among Mediterranean countries is uneven, as some countries are at
advanced stages of maritime spatial planning, mostly those who have adopted the EU directive,
while others are still working on the early stages of their maritime policies mostly in the southern
shore.
3. Algerian context
As many Southern Mediterranean countries, Algeria has undergone sustained economic, and
population growth over recent decades (MedECC, 2020). It is the most populated country in the
Maghreb region with 65% of the population living in coastal areas representing only 1.9% of the
Algerian territory (European Commission, 2020).
The coastal region is attractive for the development of various economic activities including
industrial ones (ONS). With a 1622km coastline, the coastal environment of Algeria has therefor
suffered great disturbances such as pollution, coastal erosion, extensive urbanisation, resources
depletion …etc.
Unlike inland areas, the Algerian maritime space remains one of the least explored spaces of the
Western Mediterranean basin, as the development of mainly maritime activities in the country is
only recent apart from a few basic activities such as Maritime transport. However, in 2018,
Algeria established its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which implies a need for maritime
spatial planning of several activities.
Despite this urging need to organize, and synergize maritime space use in Algeria, there is no
Maritime Spatial Planning policy or strategy in the country so far. Nonetheless, in a long-term
perspective, it is necessary to have a good understanding of the existing legal, and institutional
frameworks, on which to anchor a potential MSP strategy. As a starting point, the following
tables present non-exhaustive lists of MSP related programmes, strategies, regulations, and
institutions that could potentially support the establishment of an MSP policy in Algeria.
Table 9: Most relevant MSP related plans and strategies by sector. (Adapted from Issad, 2016)
Sector
MSP related strategies, and plans
Territorial management
- National spatial planning masterplan (SNAT)
- National coastal planning masterplan (SDAL)
- Regional spatial planning masterplans (SRAT)
Plan, and the Barcelona Convention protocols (Dumping, Prevention, and Emergency, LandBased Sources, Specially Protected Areas, and Biological Diversity, Offshore, Hazardous
Wastes, and ICZM), the Mediterranean Strategy for Sustainable Development focusing on the
implementation of Barcelona Convention while establishing regulatory mechanisms, including
MSP, the Union for the Mediterranean aiming to enhance dialogue among the northern, and
southern Mediterranean countries, the Ecosystem Approach initiative meant to achieve an
ecosystem-based management, and good environmental status of the Mediterranean Sea, the
European Union Directive on MSP, and the Western Mediterranean Initiative established to
foster a resilient Blue Economy, and a secure, and better-governed Mediterranean
(IOC/UNESCO, 2021).
At a national scale, progress among Mediterranean countries is uneven, as some countries are at
advanced stages of maritime spatial planning, mostly those who have adopted the EU directive,
while others are still working on the early stages of their maritime policies mostly in the southern
shore.
3. Algerian context
As many Southern Mediterranean countries, Algeria has undergone sustained economic, and
population growth over recent decades (MedECC, 2020). It is the most populated country in the
Maghreb region with 65% of the population living in coastal areas representing only 1.9% of the
Algerian territory (European Commission, 2020).
The coastal region is attractive for the development of various economic activities including
industrial ones (ONS). With a 1622km coastline, the coastal environment of Algeria has therefor
suffered great disturbances such as pollution, coastal erosion, extensive urbanisation, resources
depletion …etc.
Unlike inland areas, the Algerian maritime space remains one of the least explored spaces of the
Western Mediterranean basin, as the development of mainly maritime activities in the country is
only recent apart from a few basic activities such as Maritime transport. However, in 2018,
Algeria established its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which implies a need for maritime
spatial planning of several activities.
Despite this urging need to organize, and synergize maritime space use in Algeria, there is no
Maritime Spatial Planning policy or strategy in the country so far. Nonetheless, in a long-term
perspective, it is necessary to have a good understanding of the existing legal, and institutional
frameworks, on which to anchor a potential MSP strategy. As a starting point, the following
tables present non-exhaustive lists of MSP related programmes, strategies, regulations, and
institutions that could potentially support the establishment of an MSP policy in Algeria.
Table 9: Most relevant MSP related plans and strategies by sector. (Adapted from Issad, 2016)
Sector
MSP related strategies, and plans
Territorial management
- National spatial planning masterplan (SNAT)
- National coastal planning masterplan (SDAL)
- Regional spatial planning masterplans (SRAT)