Future conditions and scenarios for marine spatial planning and sustainable blue economy opportunities in the Western Mediterranean: technical report

UNESCO-IOC- MSPGlobal

Abstract: 

Under the MSPGlobal initiative, two pilot projects, one in the Western Mediterranean and another in the Southeast Pacific, are facilitating concrete transboundary and cross-border activities as well as supporting the participating countries in successfully implementing MSP initiatives. This Technical Report on Future Conditions and Scenarios for Marine Spatial Planning and Sustainable Blue Economy Opportunities in the Western Mediterranean aims to support the discussions and development of the pre-planning phase of a regional transboundary MSP in the Western Mediterranean Sea basin. This document presents three different potential marine use scenarios for the Western Mediterranean: 1) following current trends, 2) conservationist and 3) integrated; based on  data  acquired  for  current conditions and supported by regional publications on maritime sectors trends, impacts of maritime activities and Blue Economy in the Mediterranean Sea. 

Sea Basin(s): 
Year: 
2021
Application in MSP: 
Unknown effect
Sectors: 
Not sector specific
Type of Issue: 
Coexistence of uses
Cross-border cooperation
Ecosystem-based approach
Environment aspects
Sea-basin cooperation
Stakeholders
Type of practice: 
Study
Tools
Stage of MSP cycle: 
Vision and aims
Stocktake
Analyse spatial aspects
Develop and implement plan
Cross-border / trans-national aspect: 
Yes
Coherence with other processes: 
Integrated Coastal Zone Management
Marine Strategy Framework Directive

Questions this practice may help answer:

  • How is the Blue Economy expected to evolve in the Western Mediterranean?
  • What are the possible outcomes (social, environmental, and economic) of specific development scenarios?
  • What future do we want for the Western Mediterranean?

Implementation Context:

This publication is derived from the MSPGlobal initiative, which aims to improve governance at multiple levels and achieve an ecosystem-based approach in support of the Blue Economy. Under the MSPGlobal initiative, two pilot projects, one in the Western Mediterranean and another in the Southeast Pacific, are facilitating concrete transboundary and cross-border activities as well as supporting the participating countries in successfully implementing MSP initiatives. This document focuses on the Western Mediterranean pilot project.

Aspects / Objectives:

The scenario analysis provided in this document aims to support discussions and the development of the pre-planning phase of a regional transboundary MSP in the Western Mediterranean sea basin, one of the pilot projects of the MSPGlobal initiative.

Method:

This document presents three different potential marine use scenarios for the Western Mediterranean: 1) following current trends, 2) conservationist and 3) integrated; based on data acquired for current conditions and supported by regional publications on maritime sectors trends, impacts of maritime activities and the Blue Economy in the Mediterranean Sea.

Main Outputs / Results:

The prospective scenarios depicted in this technical report provide a strong basis for the pre-planning phase of a regional transboundary MSP in the Western Mediterranean sea basin.

Transferability:

The results provided in this technical report apply specifically to the Western Mediterranean area. However, the three scenarios defined could be adapted to other maritime basins, due to their universal nature. Similarly, the advice formulated concerning the mobilisation of prospective tools such as these scenarios in the framework of MSP are applicable elsewhere.

Responsible Entity:

UNESCO-IOC

Costs / Funding Source:

UNESCO-IOC - MSPGlobal.

Contact person:

Cervera Núñez, Cristina - https://www.msprn.net/profile/CristinaCerveraNunez