In 2007, the German Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency drafted multiple-use marine spatial plans (and associated environmental reports) for the German exclusive economic zones in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. The EEZ of Germany covers about 33,100 km2, about 28,600 km2 in the North Sea and about 4,500 km2 in the Baltic Sea.

 

 

 

Marine spatial planning in Germany was greatly stimulated by the effect of newly developed maps displaying numerous proposals for large-scale offshore wind energy farms. This flood of applications was in itself triggered by a guaranteed subsidy for electricity generated by wind power. Various project proposals were overlapping in space and caused concerns for the effects on the marine environment and on other important users (e.g., shipping).

 

 

 

Marine spatial planning in Germany is based on the Federal Land Use Planning Act that was extended to the exclusive economic zone. Spatial plans for the territorial sea (up to 12 nautical miles) are developed by the German Länder (states).

 

Marine spatial planning in Germany is based on a set of guidelines, including:

 

Germany uses three types of zones for the implementation of its spatial plans. These include “priority areas” where one use (for example, shipping, pipelines, etc.) is granted priority over all other spatially significant uses; “reservation areas” where one use is given special consideration in a comparative evaluation with other spatially significant planning tasks, measures and projects; and “marine protected areas” where measures are applicable for the reduction of impacts (e.g., through pollution) on the marine environment.