The European Commission has welcomed the European Parliament endorsement of a Directive for Maritime Spatial Planning intended to help Member States develop plans to better coordinate the various activities that take place at sea.

In coastal and maritime areas, many activities compete for the same space and resources: fishing grounds, aquaculture farms, marine protected areas exist alongside maritime infrastructures such as cables, pipelines, shipping lanes and oil, gas and wind installations. The Commission said that the new Directive will help avoid potential conflicts between such diverse uses and create a stable environment attractive to investors, thereby contributing to sustainable growth.

The Directive sets minimum requirements for the drawing up of national maritime spatial plans. The plans will identify all existing human activities, taking into account land-sea interactions, and the most effective way of managing them. As many of the activities run across national borders, the Directive will also help Member States co-operate better.

European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Maria Damanaki and Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik said:

"Today's vote in the European Parliament is an important step in creating new growth opportunities across all maritime sectors by better managing our seas and ensuring their sustainability. Only if we coordinate the various activities taking place in our seas can we make access to maritime space more predictable for investors and at the same time reduce the impact of maritime activities on the environment."

Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) is a cornerstone of the Commission's Blue Growth strategy and of the EU Integrated Maritime Policy. According to the Commission, Maritime Spatial Planning will reduce existing over-regulation and administrative complexity. For instance, in some countries up to nine executive agencies need to be contacted before securing a permit for an offshore aquaculture site.

The Commission also believes better coordination will speed up procedures which will in turn generate economic gains. For instance by accelerating investments in offshore aquaculture or renewables by 1, 2 or 3 years, economic gains from €60 million to over €600 million could be generated by 2020.

Next steps

Once finally adopted by ministers, Member States must transpose the Directive into their national legislation by 2016 and nominate the Competent Authority in charge of the implementation of MSP. Member States must also draw up their national maritime spatial plans by 2021. Member States are free to tailor the content of the plans and strategies to their specific economic, social and environmental priorities, and their national sectorial policy objectives and legal traditions, but must respect the minimum requirements of the Directive.