Maritime spatial planning – approaches for effectiveness evaluation

Søren Anker Pedersen, ETC/Water

1st EEA/EIONET workshop – Maritime 26 Oct 2010 at European Environment Agency, Copenhagen

1. What is Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP)?

2. MSP and fisheries in German offshore waters (The EMPAS project – MSP in practice)

1) What is Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP)?

MSP a tool to: - optimize the human used of the marine ecosystem

- optimize benefits from ecosystem goods and services

The purpose…

Achieve “Good Environmental Status” within the marine ecosystems, while promoting long-term sustainable use of marine resources

- within the framework and “guidance” of EU Maritime Policy

MSP does not lead to a one-time plan.

It is a continuing, iterative process that learns and adapts over time.

Figure from: Guide on MARINE SPATIAL PLANNING – A Step-by-Step Approach toward Ecosystem-based Management

by Charles Ehler and Fanny Douvere, UNESCO, 2009.

The PlanCoast Project2006-2008

Step 1: Assessing the context and establishing a general framework for IMSP

Step 2: Drawing up a guiding visionStep 3: Refining the stocktake and mappingStep 4: Analysis: identifying issues and

problemsStep 5: Developing solutions for the problems

identifiedStep 6: Drawing up a planStep 7: ImplementationStep 8: Evaluation

From WWF BaltSeaPlan project Brochure, 2010

From WWF BaltSeaPlan project Brochure, 2010

From WWF BaltSeaPlan project Brochure, 2010

From WWF BaltSeaPlan project Brochure, 2010

From WWF BaltSeaPlan project Brochure, 2010

2. MSP and fisheries in German offshore waters (The EMPAS project – MSP in practice)

German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) responsible for:

• selection, • designation, • management ICES advice on fisheries management in N2K sites

Environmentally Sound Fisheries Management in Marine Protected Areas (EMPAS) project 2006-2008

1

2

3

4

12

3

4

5

6

North Sea

Baltic Sea

www.ices.dk/projects/empas.asp

FFH-Annex II Marine Mammals

Harbour porpoise, Harbour Seal, Grey Seal

BD Annex I and migratory bird species

Red-throated Diver, Black-throated Diver, Terns, Common Scoter, Long-tailed duck, etc.

FFH-Annex II Fish Species

Shad, Twaite Shad, Hounting, River Lamprey, Sea Lamprey, Sturgeon

NATURA 2000-protected habitats and species in the North Sea

Habitat-Directive (FFH-Directive) and the Bird Directive (BD)

Benthic commuities

FFH-Habitats Sandbank, Reefs

Sylt Outer Reef

Protected habitat types: "sandbanks" and "reefs"

Borkum ReefGround

Dogger Bank

Natura 2000 sites

1. Mapping of fishing activities and effort;

2. Analysis of impact of fishing activities on habitats and species;

3. Identify conflicts between fishing activities and nature conservation objectives/targets;

4. Develop management options

The EMPAS Project: Targets

For each designated Natura 2000 site in the German EEZ:

Natura 2000 sites and International Fisheries

Example: 2004

Example: All Dutch VMS data 2006

Fock et al., 2007

Example:

Sylt Outer Reef

Example:

Fock et al., 2007

NAME

Dre

dg

e

Bea

m tra

wl

Otte

r traw

l

Dan

ish

se

in

Pe

lag

ic tra

wl

Gill n

et d

em

ers

al

Lo

ng

line

s

Benthic Fauna and Flora A A B B D C CReefs A A B B D C CSandbank C C C C D C C

A = very conflicting (very likely)B = conflicting (likely)C = little conflicting (little likely) D = no conflict (not likely)N = unknown

Potential conflicts between fishing and nature conservation objectives

Impact of bottom trawls on "sandbanks" and "reefs"

Benthic habitats and typical species:

- Destructive effects of bottom contacting gear

Conflict analysis: Fishing activitiesand nature conservation targets

Consultation and cooperation with fishers:

- Fishing track plotters (GPS), sea charts, and personal experiences

- Explain fisheries data and misunderstandings

- Contribute VMS data and fishery information

- Find solutions to conflicts

Fine scale distribution of fishing activities

The EMPAS project results and the future

•From no-change option to partial and full closures for fisheries

•The EMPAS results are starting points to develop a management strategy for Natura 2000 sites

•Final management plans have not yet been developed/implemented

•The revised CFP should harmonize different national approaches/proposals to Natura 2000 management

Maritime Spatial Planning German EEZ North Sea

Berkenhagen et al. (2010)

2020: 12,000 MW

2030: 25,000 MW

Useful information in MSP and trade-off evaluation are:

• cumulative losses (benefit losses)

• costs of displacement of fishing effort to other areas

• habitats affected by the wind farm influence species

• possible benefits:

a) new species attracted by the different habitats,

b) marine aquaculture or

c) the closure leads to increasing catch possibilities outside

• cumulative effects of closing many areas for fishing

(wind farms, military areas, shipping lines, Natura 2000 areas, etc.)

MSP and fisheries in the German EEZ- cumulative losses and benefits

Wind farm approvals case-by-case overlooks the cumulative impact of planned and projected wind farms on fisheries

Better understanding of the impact of wind farms establishments on individual vessels, fishing association and harbour towns in future

Summary

Uniform approach to data collection, harmonization and classification

Coherent ecological information

Coherent information on human activities

Identify scientific principles/methodologies for e.g. assessing multiple pressures, environmental status assessment etc.

Link economic values to ecosystem benefits

Considering economical and social impacts in line with ecological impacts will increase the willingness for seeking a sound and sustainable compromise

Monitoring the conservation status

Monitoring the conservation status

DocHab-04-03/03 rev.3