The use of Irish maritime space is increasing. As maritime activities intensify, there is increased competition for use of space and potential conflicts with other objectives such as the protection of the marine environment. Addressing governance issues and resolving conflicts between different stakeholders are increasingly important. There is a need for a holistic vision and management to allow for the balance of social, economic and environmental interests and to ensure that maritime space and resources are used in a planned and sustainable manner.

Maritime Spatial Planning Themes

Maritime spatial planning (MSP) is a process by which state authorities analyse and organise human activities in marine areas to achieve ecological, economic and social objectives. It is the subject to the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive (2014/EC/89). The Directive has to be transposed by September 2016 and maritime spatial plans have to be in place by April 2021. Arising from the literature review, the requirements of the Directive, international best practice and stakeholder feedback, a number of key themes were identified for the project. These were to:

* promote the environmental, economic and social pillars of sustainable development;

* apply an ecosystem-based approach;

* address land-sea interactions:

* ensure coherence between MSP and other processes;

* promote the involvement of stakeholders;

* ensure the best use of available data; and

* facilitate trans-boundary cooperation.

A number of assumptions were made in framing the approach to preparing maritime spatial plans. These assumptions related to the extent of the maritime area, the scope of the plans, the hierarchy, relevant competent authorities, consultation and transboundary cooperation.

Recommendations

This research recommends that a staged integrated approach be adopted for the preparation of MSPs in Ireland. The staged approach is recommended as it ensures that a rational and consistent process is applied to the spatial plan-making processes. This approach ensures that there is a full understanding of the maritime environment and issues, allows for appropriate objective-setting and strategy development, provides a framework for drafting the plan and resolving conflicts, and allows for adoption and monitoring. As spatial planning is an on-going process within plan-making cycles, there is a review process which allows for revision and updating. Integration of plan-making, environmental assessment and consultation promotes broader acceptance by stakeholders, ensures a legally robust plan and effectively integrates environmental considerations and the ecosystem-based approach into plan preparation.

The recommendations are designed to fit in with the Irish plan-making tradition and are informed by existing guidance. A series of case studies provided examples of best practice in relation to the various stages of the process. The approach follows from the establishment of the governance, reporting relationships, steering committee, project team, relevant advisory panel, stakeholder panel and all statutory requirements identified during the initial project management set up phase. The stages are structured as follows:

*Stage 1 Understanding the marine environment

*Stage 2 - Vision, objectives and preferred strategy

*Stage 3 Drafting the plan

*Stage 4 Adopting, implementing and monitoring

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SAFER-Data Display URL	https://eparesearch.epa.ie/safer/iso19115/display?isoID=3125
Resource Keywords	marine spatial planning, maritime spatial planning, plan-making, marine management
EPA/ERTDI/STRIVE Project Code	2014-SE-DS-1
EPA/ERTDI/STRIVE Project Theme	Socio-Economics
Resource Availability:	Public-Open
Limitations on the use of this Resource	Any attached datasets, data files, or information objects can be downloaded for further use in scientific applications under the condition that the source is properly quoted and cited in published papers, journals, websites, presentations, books, etc. Before downloading, users must agree to the "Conditions of Download and Access" from SAFER-Data. These appear before download. Users of the data should also communicate with the original authors/owners of this resource if they are uncertain about any aspect of the data or information provided before further usage.
Number of Attached Files (Publicly and Openly Available for Download):	0
Project Start Date	Friday 2nd January 2015 (02-01-2015)
Earliest Recorded Date within any attached datasets or digital objects	Friday 2nd January 2015 (02-01-2015)
Most Recent Recorded Date within any attached datasets or digital objects	Monday 15th February 2016 (15-02-2016)
Published on SAFER	Wednesday 8th June 2016 (08-06-2016)
Date of Last Edit	Wednesday 8th June 2016 at 14:35:31 (08-06-2016)
Datasets or Files Updated On	Wednesday 8th June 2016 at 14:34:57 (08-06-2016)

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Description of Geographical Characteristics of This Project or Dataset
Recommendations for the Preparation of Maritime Spatial Plans considered in Figure 2 where Irish MSPs should cover. The maritime area will extend from the high water mark (excluding transition waters under the WFD Directive) to the outer limits of the EEZ. Further maritime areas may be defined which would provide the spatial framework for regional maritime spatial plans. However, the ambition of these recommendations is their applicability at all level of the planning hierarchy, therefore at any given scale.

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