Have you used any tools for marine spatial planning?
The EBM Tools Network and OpenChannels.org are conducting a brief online survey on marine spatial planning tools. If you are (or were) involved in an MSP process, we would be grateful for your participation. You do not need to have used a tool to participate: we are as interested in learning why projects have not used tools as why they have.The aggregated answers will be published on OpenChannels to serve the MSP field. Your individual answers will be kept confidential. Thank you very much! The survey is at www.surveymonkey.com/s/msptoolsurvey.
Project to explore international MSP in North Sea releases findings
A two-year, EU-funded project to explore opportunities for cross-border marine spatial planning in the North Sea has released its conclusions. The MASPNOSE project (Maritime Spatial Planning in the North Sea) focused on two case studies:
- Developing an international fisheries management plan for the Dogger Bank, which is under the jurisdiction of the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, and Denmark; and
- Exploring the potential for collaboration on the Thornton Bank, which is managed by the Netherlands and Belgium.
Carried out by a coalition of research institutions (Centre for Marine Policy, Deltares, vTI, University of Ghent and DTU-Aqua), the project concluded that the planning of North Sea countries is not well-harmonized, and that the EU's key principles on MSP are not yet sufficient to foster unified MSP for the area. For more details and policy recommendations, go to www.cmp.wur.nl/maspnose.
Policy brief on global mangrove management
A policy brief on the global need to improve management of mangrove ecosystems, including economic policies to support such management, is available at www.inweh.unu.edu/Coastal/Mangroves/Policybrief/Securing%20the%20future%20of%20mangroves%20%28high%20res%29.pdf. Titled Securing the Future of Mangroves, the 56-page policy brief was published by the Institute for Water, Environment, and Health of United Nations University.
Analyzing economic impacts of fishery closures
A new report provides guidelines on best practices for analyzing the economic impact of restricted fishing areas – such as MPAs or wind farms – on the UK fishing industry and society. It was produced by the UK Fisheries Economic Network, an informal association of economists and analysts working in connection with UK fishing and seafood industries. The report Best Practice Guidelines for Undertaking Assessments of Financial and Economic Impacts on Fisheries is at www.seafish.org/media/634910/ukfen%20ia%20best%20practice%20guidance.pdf.