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Toward a Common Understanding of Ocean Multi-Use

Frontiers in Marine Science

Abstract:

This study provides an analysis of the multiple uses  that the sea has to offer in order to sharpen, refine and advance the public and academic discourse over marine spatial planning by offering a common framework to planners, researchers and users alike, when discussing multi-use and its management implications. The last two decades have seen the rise of a new frontier in ocean use concepts: the joint “multi-use” of ocean space. Multi-use could possibly be a favourable outcome to a structured MSP process or occur naturally through basic economic and social pressures. 

Application in MSP:
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Unknown effect
Type of Issue:
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Coexistence of uses
Type of practice:
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Methodology
Stage of MSP cycle:
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Analyse spatial aspects
Cross-border / trans-national aspect:
No
Coherence with other processes:
Integrated Coastal Zone Management
Marine Strategy Framework Directive
Renewable Energy Directive
Key words:
multi-use of space
marine spatial planning
synergistic use
co-existence of use
ocean governance
Source / Links:

Schupp MF, Bocci M, Depellegrin D, Kafas A, Kyriazi Z, Lukic I, Schultz-Zehden A, Krause G, Onyango V and Buck BH (2019) Toward a Common Understanding of Ocean Multi-Use. Front. Mar. Sci. 6:165. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2019.00165

Questions this practice may help answer:

  • What is the definition of ocean multi-use?
  • Which multi-use combinations can potentially be implemented?
  • How can multi-use principles be improved in the marine realm?  

Implementation Context:

This work is based on the research and knowledge of the expert group assembled in the MUSES project.

Aspects / Objectives:

This paper aims to refine and explain the concept of multi-use of ocean space by reviewing the development of, and the state of the art multi-use in Europe before presenting a clear definition and a comprehensive typology for existing and future multi-use combinations.

Method:

Based on the definition of multi-use given in the MUSES project, the author drafted a typology underlying four dimensions of ocean multi-use and their degree of connectivity.  

Main Outputs / Results:

The study provides recommendations for each type of multi-use described in the typology. This recommendation targets various sectors, from policy making, to regulation, research and industry. It provides a conceptual approach to the topic, which can serve as a starting point for future discourse on global multi-use developments.

Transferability:

The recommended actions drafted by this study possess a high degree of transferability. 

Responsible Entity:

Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research (Germany)

School of Social Sciences, University of Dundee, (United Kingdom)

Funding Source:

This Project has Received Funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 727451.

Contact person:

Maximilian Felix Schupp

maximilian.felix.schuppatawi.de (maximilian[dot]felix[dot]schupp[at]awi[dot]de)