The Future of Marine Spatial Planning—Perspectives from Early Career Researchers

Abstract

In early 2021, the Erasmus+ knowledge flows partnership organised a session to discuss the future of marine spatial planning (MSP) at an international conference. We, a group of nine early career researchers, came together after the conference to continue the discussion: which topics should be considered in future MSP, what are the challenges, and which solutions are there to overcome these challenges? This communication shall raise awareness of the topics of climate change, ecological sustainability, blue justice, ecosystem services, and blue governance, which we identified as important for future MSP endeavours. We show the interconnectedness of the topics and argue that transdisciplinary education is required to contribute to a common understanding of MSP, which adopts an ecosystem-based approach, ensures equitable distribution of benefits, and secures ecologically sustainable development within an adaptive governance framework.

Mapping Marine Ecosystem Services Potential Across an Oceanic Archipelago: Applicability and Limitations for Decision-Making

“…losses for fishermen) can foster stakeholder engagement to promote the levelling of power relationships. Thus, fostering a more equitable distribution of benefits derived from marine ecosystems in regional/national MSP processes (von Thenen et al, 2021). Additionally, the presented ES capacity results could improve marine protected areas (MPAs) design (Schill et al, 2021) or help track the expected benefits provided by existing MPAs (Geange et al, 2019).…”

Operationalisation of an ecosystem services approach for improving integration in maritime spatial planning

“…Transdisciplinary, MSP education has a big role to play in creating an international community of researchers and practitioners equipped with the skills to analyses SES, use tools for CIA and co-location analysis, and tackle 'wicked problems' (von Thenen et al 2021). To really operationalise ecosystem services in MSP, marine ecosystem services could be one of many topics taught as part of higher education programs as an approach for exploring SES, analysing and tracking change and communicating information.…”