A tool has been developed to promote the sustainable development of maritime sectors

2025/02/06 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Ingurumena
• Ekonomia
• Ozeanografia
• Arrantza

An international team of researchers led by the AZTI technology centre has developed a tool to take ecosystem principles into account in the management of marine uses. Their research to demonstrate the effectiveness of this tool has been published in the journal Communications Earth & Environment.

The Ecosystem-Based Marine Spatial Planning Assessment Tool (EB-MSP Assessment Tool) provides a standardized method for integrating ecosystem management practices into the different phases of the marine spatial planning process. This approach is in line with the principles of the Convention on Biological Diversity and supports global conservation objectives such as those set out in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The method is particularly important today, as the increasing demand for resources and space from emerging sectors such as marine renewable energy, aquaculture and maritime tourism, as well as traditional activities such as fishing and maritime traffic, calls for an integrated approach to the management of human activities. According to the researchers, the tool allows a detailed evaluation of the management plans of the uses of the marine area. The instrument helps to assess whether environmental, social, economic, governance and participatory processes aspects have been duly taken into account and proposes actions for the continuous improvement of marine space management.

To demonstrate the effectiveness of the instrument, it has been used in the evaluation of transboundary maritime spatial plans in the Bay of Biscay. During the study, aspects that needed improvement were identified. Overall, they noted the need to take into account the impact of climate change on the socio-ecological system and its impact on maritime sectors, as well as the need to improve knowledge of governance structures and ecosystem processes.

The researchers emphasize that the methodology can be adapted to different geographical contexts, which is essential for international cooperation in the protection of the oceans. They point out that the instrument is gaining a good acceptance in the scientific community and in those responsible for marine planning in different European countries that are applying it.