Adapting the process
Marine spatial planning (MSP) should not result in a one-time plan but should be conducted as continuous, iterative process in such way that it can incorporate and adapt to changing circumstances. Adaptation of MSP typically addresses two questions:
(a) What has been accomplished through the MSP process and learned from its successes and failures?
(b) How has the marine context (e.g., environment, governance, technology, economy, etc.) changed since MSP was initiated?
The answers to these questions can then be used to re-focus the MSP initiative in the future. Most likely, new applied research needs for MSP will be identified during the adaptation process as well.
Various countries have used different ways to adapt their MSP efforts. We are currently compiling a set of good practices to illustrate how countries have done so successfully. We expect to have it available here by the end of June 2009.
You can read about an initial set of good practices on how to adapt the MSP process in Step 10 (p. 92-94) of the guide "Marine spatial planning: A step-by-step approach toward ecosystem-based management". Download (pdf, 1.55 MB)
Last updated: 28 January 2010