MARSEA - Development of an integrated framework for marine spatial planning in Romania

Increasing demands on marine resources and activities taking place in the marine area are compromising the future use and viability of the marine environment. Marine spatial planning is a useful and cost-effective tool for the regulation and protection of the marine environment. In this context, our project covers highly actual aspects concerning the way the marine spatial planning process evolves. The need to pursue new approaches and commitments for a sustainable utilization of marine resources has become very clear. We aim at an integrated approach of the social, economic, and ecological factors affecting the Romanian Black Sea coast via implementation of the ecosystem approach to marine management. The activities of this project are structured on three directions: (1) Setting up the scene for MSP in Romania, (2) Mapping and demonstrating MSP in the pilot area - between Mamaia and Eforie Nord (wildlife distribution and human uses, current and future), and (3) Create an enabling environment for participatory marine and coastal resource management and capacity building. We will provide guidelines on how to join and use spatial information in all steps of marine spatial planning. Effective and integrated marine spatial planning will contribute to deliver a coherent spatial plan that reduce conflicts of the Romanian marine environment, as well as minimizing the pressure and impact on the marine environment.

project partners

• University of Bucharest, Romania
• Ovidius University of Constanta, Romania