ATLAS is testing a generic Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) framework1 developed by the FP7 MESMA (Monitoring and Evaluation of Spatially Managed Areas) project to assess spatially managed areas (SMAs) in all 12 of the ATLAS Case Studies. The Case Studies represent the range of biogeographic, regulatory and jurisdictional situations encountered across the Atlantic including the deep-waters of the EU, US, Canada and Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (NEAFC and NAFO Regulatory Areas). SMAs are discrete spatial entities occurring at different spatial scales where a spatial management framework such as Marine Spatial Planning is in place, is under development or is considered. The MESMA framework comprises seven key steps of which the first is concerned with setting high level objectives for the SMA.
Questions this practice may help answer:
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How the monitoring and evaluation of spatially managed areas (MESMA project) is used to develop an adaptative Atlantic Marine Strategic Planning approach within ATLAS?
Implementation Context:
The document represents a Deliverable of the ATLAS Project that aims to improve understanding of the deep-sea ecosystems in the North Atlantic, as well as to predict their future change and vulnerability in the face of ongoing climate change.
Aspects / Objectives:
Deliverable 6.1 reports on the first planning iteration in which case study leaders have applied Step 1 of the MESMA to delineate the extent of which the spatially managed areas under consideration in their case studies have described existing sectoral activities, mapped the institutional landscape and provided information on (any) existing management plans.
Method:
This report is based on 12 case studies, it represents the range of biogeographic, regulatory and jurisdictional situations encountered across the Atlantic including the deep-waters of the EU, US, Canada and Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (NEAFC and NAFO Regulatory Areas).
Main Outputs / Results:
Each case study has set a management goal for its SMA: a theoretical new blue economy/blue growth activity must be accommodated for, while ensuring minimum disruption to existing activities and with minimum impact on the delivery of ecosystem goods and services (including the protection of VMEs and biodiversity) thus ensuring a good environmental status as required by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.
Transferability:
This practice is specific to the 12 case studies described and cannot be transferred.
Responsible Entity:
ATLAS project
Funding Source:
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 678760 (ATLAS).