Marine spatial management is gaining considerable importance all around the world. Various countries have started to use marine spatial management to achieve sustainable use and biodiversity conservation in ocean and coastal areas (see examples below).

 

Initially the concept of marine spatial planning, and one of its primary tool, ocean zoning, was stimulated by international and national interests in developing marine protected areas (MPAs). More recent attention has been placed on planning and managing multiple uses of marine space, particularly in areas where use conflicts are already well known and specified. In various countries, marine bioregional planning concepts are being used as a first step to make ecosystem-based marine spatial management a reality.

 

If you know about marine spatial planning initiatives in your country that are similar in scope and scale to those listed below, please contact us so we can incorporate that work in our analysis of spatial management around the world.