Supporting Implementation of Maritime Spatial Planning in the Celtic Seas

SIMCelt was a project intended to support the implementation of the MSP Directive by Member States within the Celtic Seas (OSPAR Region III), and to contribute to supporting cross-border cooperation between MS in relation to implementation of the MSP Directive. SIMCelt focused on a number of activities that reflect and respond to perceived needs as set out in the call for proposals, and also identified by the current priorities of the MSP authorities whose remit impacts in the Celtic Seas, including national and devolved administrations. A practitioner-focused project, SIMCelt involved both academic and government partners from France, Ireland and the UK.

Project partners

• Centre for Marine and Renewable Energy, University College Cork (IE) – Lead Partner
• Marine Scotland (UK)
• Service Hydrographique et Océanographique de la Marine (SHOM) (FR)
• The University of Liverpool (UK)
• Agence des Aires Marines Protégées (AAMP) (FR)
• Marine Institute (IE)
• Department of Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs, Northern Ireland (UK)

Deliverables

Final – Signposting document

• Transboundary Cooperation in the Celtic Seas: Reflections from the SIMCelt project

Initial Assessment: Developing an Overview

• Overview Assessment: Summary Information on Marine Aspects of the Celtic Seas (D1).

Spatial demands and scenarios for maritime sectors and marine conservation

• Series of “Maritime Sector Briefing Notes” (D2) on Aquaculture; cables and pipelines; offshore wind; ports and shipping; and wave and tidal energy.
• 3A: “Comparative Analysis of National Strategies for Marine Conservation in the Celtic Sea Region”
• 3B: “NEA MPA Database” report. 
• 3C: “Overview Report on the Current State and Potential Future Spatial Requirements of Key Maritime Activities”. 

Data and Information requirements for MSP

• Analysis of Data Needs and Existing Data Gaps – Specifically Relating to Transboundary Working.
• Initial Activity to Address Data Needs (D6).
• Data Management Guidance Document (D7).

Stakeholder Engagement

• Report on Potential Approaches for Stakeholder Engagement on MSP – Pilot Testing at Local Transboundary Scale (D9).

Establish case Studies on Approaches to MSP Implementation

• CS#1: Issue Specific Analysis – Practice Focused and Policy Relevant – “Understanding specific cross border issues and opportunities: Offshore Renewable Energy and Shipping & Navigation” (D10) Final version December 2017, UCC.
• CS#2: Recommendations on Cumulative Effects Assessment Methodology (D11 – two reports, one Story Map, one video, please contact Anne Marie O’Hagan – E: a.ohaganucc.ie). Mapping risk of cumulative effects – Recommendations from the approach tested within French Celtic Sea waters (D11A) final version January 2018, AFB and Assessment of Cumulative Effects in Marine Spatial Planning: Irish Sea Pilot Project Methodology (D11B), final version March 2018, Marine Institute.
• CS#3: Case Study Report on Approaches to Cross-Border Cooperation Including Stakeholder Engagement Mechanisms (D12 – consisting of five reports).
  • D12.1: Initial comparison of requirements of, and differences between, primary UK legislation pertinent to marine planning. 
  • D12.2: References to marine and coastal planning within Local Development Plans relevant to the Solway Firth. 
  • D12.3: Report on Sectoral Interactions around the Solway Firth in relation to marine planning.
  • D12.4: Particular cross border issues for the Solway Firth.
  • D12.5: Options for the Solway Marine Region in terms of marine planning. 
• CS#4: Understanding and Applying Ecosystem Services to Transboundary MSP (D13 – Story Map, please contact Anne Marie O’Hagan – E: a.ohaganucc.ie)
• Overview Report on SIMCelt case studies (D16). 

Development of Cooperation on MSP

• Existing Mechanisms for Cooperation on MSP in the Celtic Seas (D14).

Evaluation of the MSP Process

• Evaluation of the Maritime Spatial Planning Process (D15).