APPENDIX 6: MARINE PLANNING BY NORTH SEA
COUNTRIES
Belgium
The Belgian federal authority has drawn up a marine
spatial plan for the Belgian part of the North Sea. This plan
maps the Belgian part of the North Sea and its users, and tries
to reconcile the spatial impact of the various demands and uses
of the area. The plan covers a period of six years, thus the plan
is evaluated on a regular basis. At the same time, stakeholders
know what is planned and where, and understand the longer-term
vision.[313]
Denmark
Denmark does not have a specific Planning Act for
its sea space. Sea-based activities are regulated by a large number
of sectoral laws. Thus, authority over the coastal zone is dispersed
among different sectors and different administrative levels of
decision-making. However, in 2010 a Marine Policy Strategy was
approved by the government. The strategy stresses the need for
Maritime Spatial Planning, as a result plans are being discussed.[314]
France
The management of waters under French jurisdiction
has been the responsibility of the central government. Increasingly,
however, responsibility for coastal and near shore activities
has been shared with local authorities and stakeholders.
While several planning instruments have been introduced
to facilitate and enhance spatial planning in the coastal zone,
they have been applied primarily to terrestrial activities. The
management of human activities in marine waters is commonly characterised
by a sectoral approach.[315]
It should be noted that French authorities have been
very active in regional co-operation based around the Channel,
i.e. Arc Manche which is a co-operation network aiming to gather
territories bordering the Channel to advocate the shared interests
of this area and to promote co-operation.
Germany
The Exclusive Economic Zone of Germany covers about
28,600 km2
in the North Sea. Marine 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 (Federal States).
The German plans are regulatory and enforceable. A federal plan
for the North Sea came into effect in September 2009.
The Netherlands
The Dutch part of the North Sea covers an area of
about 58,000 km2 (one
and a half the land mass of The Netherlands) and is one of the
most intensely used marine areas in the world. Dutch marine planning
policy is considered as a means of fostering sustainable use while
allowing scope for private sector initiatives. One of the most
recent, relevant developments is the publication of the country's
'North Sea 2050 Spatial Agenda', which is based on research into
the long-term potential of sea and coastal areas and makes connections
between the North Sea's future opportunities and existing developments
and challenges.
The need for coordination and co-operation is stressed
throughout the document, and the significant need for an integrated
approach to the entire North Sea is noted. Referring to their
own consultations during the development of the Agenda, it is
stated that "Talks with officials from the countries around
the North Sea in March 2014 have taught us that various opportunities
lie within the … themes of the spatial agenda, and that these
can best be addressed on a North Sea-wide scale. Other North Sea
countries' focus points concur with the North Sea 2050 Spatial
Agenda themes. This is helpful when working on a North Sea-wide
strategy. The other countries were indeed surprised by the focus
of The Netherlands on the longer term but are also of the opinion
that this is an interesting approach."[316]
Norway
The North Sea-Skagerrak area is Norway's most intensively
used sea area. In 2013, Norway adopted an 'Integrated Management
Plan for the Norwegian part of the North Sea and Skagerrak'.
The Plan provides an overall framework for both existing
and new activities in these waters, and "facilitates co-existence
of different activities, particularly the fisheries, maritime
transport and the petroleum activity."[317]
The expressed aim is to establish an ecosystem-based management
of activities, where the total environmental pressure from activities
does not threaten the ecosystems. Cumulative effect is therefore
a key issue addressed in the Plan. The Plan will be updated at
relevant intervals. It is based on existing knowledge, but the
significant gaps in knowledge and data are acknowledged. Thus,
commitments are made to strengthening the knowledge base.
The importance of co-operation is highlighted: "Co-operation
with the other North Sea countries and the combined efforts of
all these countries are … of crucial importance."[318]
It is anticipated that the Integrated Management Plan will help
to provide a firmer basis for Norway's contributions to international
co-operation.[319]
Sweden
Sweden has no tradition of marine planning in its
Exclusive Economic Zone. However, an inquiry initiated in
2006 proposed the introduction system based on marine spatial
plans and that such plans should contain provisions ensuring that
marine planning takes place in consultation with the international
organisations concerned and with relevant actors in adjacent countries.[320]
Marine planning is now considered an important tool
for the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management in planning
and management of marine areas. Marine spatial plans for the relevant
areas of the Swedish Exclusive Economic Zone have not been completed
yet, but the aim is that, when finalised, there will be guidance
for agencies and municipalities examining claims made to use the
areas in question.
In parallel with the development of Sweden's marine
planning, the Government is in the process of producing a maritime
strategy. Within this strategy the Government will submit proposals
regarding the development of marine and coastal industries. One
of the overall goals is to develop the utilisation of Swedish
waters as a resource, to create more employment opportunities
and to enhance common interests and quality of life. [321]
313 Belgian Federal Public Service Health, Food Chain
Safety and Environment, 'Something is Moving at Sea… a Marine
Spatial Plan for the Belgian Part of the North Sea' (March 2014):
http://www.unesco-ioc-marinesp.be/uploads/documentenbank/25ad8a7ad6fbb0a0bd07562e392c382f.pdf
[Accessed 6 February 2015] Back
314
PartiSEApate, 'Marine Spatial Planning in Denmark': http://www.partiseapate.eu/wp-content/uploads/
2013/08/Denmark-country-fiche.pdf
[Accessed 6 February 2015] Back
315
UNESCO Marine Spatial Planning Initiative, 'France': http://www.unesco-ioc-marinesp.be/msp_around_the_world/france
[Accessed 6 February 2015] Back
316
Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Milieu (2014) North Sea Spatial
Agenda 2050, July 2014 p 67 Back
317
Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, Integrated
Management Plans http://www.fisheries.no/resource_management/Area_management/Integrated_management_plans
[Accessed 6 February 2015] Back
318
Norwegian Ministry of the Environment, Integrated Management
of the Marine Environment of the North Sea and Skaggerak Management
Plan, op.cit., p 8 Back
319
Ibid., p 141 Back
320
UNESCO Marine Spatial Planning Initiative, 'Sweden': http://www.unesco-ioc-marinesp.be/msp_practice/sweden
[Accessed 6 February 2015] Back
321
Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management, Marine Spatial
Planning Current Status 2014 (March 2014): https://www.havochvatten.se/download/18.44319c4a145d364b807436c/1402924457106/marine-spatial-planning-current-status-2014-english.pdf
[Accessed 6 February 2015] Back
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