News Archive

The North Seas Energy Cooperation (NSEC) recently published the NSEC White Paper "Towards a Synergistic Multi-Use in the North Sea" that explores the concept of offshore multi-use of space in the North Sea, focusing on how various human activities and MPAs can coexist synergistically.

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MarinePlan is an EU-Horizon funded project that aims to assess how to foster Ecosystem-Based Marine Spatial Planning in multiple European study sites. The project is interested examining how Marine Spatial Planning and Marine Protected Area processes are managed in existing governance regimes, what governance challenges...

This report published by the GROW consortium aims to promote multifunctional use of offshore wind farms in the Netherlands. It outlines a vision for integrating multiple marine uses within offshore wind farms in the Netherlands. The roadmap aims to support the development of a sustainable...

We are pleased to announce the publication of the official report from the European Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) Week 2024, held from 21 to 24 October 2024 in Marseille (France). 

Access the full report

The report provides an overview of the main takeaways, and...

In May 2021, the European Commission adopted strategic guidelines for a more sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture for the period 2021-2030. These guidelines aim to make EU aquaculture a more resilient sector and a global model of sustainability by 2030. They identify several areas requiring...

This study examines the role of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in the EU Mediterranean and Black Sea, particularly their impact on fisheries and biodiversity conservation. The EU has set ambitious targets to protect 30% of its marine waters by 2030, but the effectiveness of MPAs...

This scientific article focuses on the role of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) in maritime policies within the EU. It highlights the lack of comprehensive analyses of regulations in EU MPAs, specifically regarding the management of nine different activities. The authors use publicly available data to...

The joint HELCOM-VASAB Maritime Spatial Planning Working Group (HELCOM-VASAB MSP WG) is about to proceed to the interim assessment of the progress in implementing the Regional Maritime Spatial Planning Roadmap 2021-2023. In this context, a dedicated Task Force prepared a survey which aims to...

The Maltese government has launched its first public call for offshore wind development, seeking to pre-qualify developers for Malta’s first floating wind farm, with an expected capacity of 280 MW to 320 MW. The tender process began on December 5 with the release of a...

MSP-GREEN and REGINA-MSP projects have presented key outcomes from their efforts during their final conference in Marseille on 23 and 24 October 2024. The conference was structured around two days of interlinked panels and working sessions, during which participants were engaging in a vivid debate...

The kick-off meeting with CINEA and the European Commission (DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries) marked the official launch of two new Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) projects funded by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). These projects support the European Green Deal and aim...

This report identifies 80 measures to support wind and grid developers to minimise their potential environmental impacts on marine ecosystems. This work includes measures that reflect both avoidance and minimisation, including the most recent, relevant, and available information. Furthermore, ‘best practice’ measures were identified, which...

The EU has adopted new conservation measures to protect five Natura 2000 sites in the German EEZ of the Baltic Sea. Proposed by Germany and supported by all Baltic EU countries, these measures ban fishing with mobile bottom-contacting gears in specific areas, including Fehmarnbelt, Kadetrinne...

EU and neighbourhood countries agree 1st shared EU-Albania fisheries restricted area and other measures to protect Mediterranean and Black Sea fisheries and biodiversity

The EU and neighboring countries have agreed on key conservation measures, including the establishment of a shared fisheries restricted area (FRA) in...