Why Marine Spatial Planning?
The current method of ocean zoning for individual ocean uses does not provide the holistic ocean plan necessary to reach specific targets and goals (i.e. offshore renewable energy development or maximizing fisheries protection). Growing knowledge about marine environments, higher resolution data, and GIS being broadly used allows multi-sector issues to collaborate through marine spatial planning, such as where to place new developments while not to limit existing marine uses. Whether it is to balance ocean uses, maximize economies, protect marine habitats or promote new renewable energy development, marine spatial planning allows planners to weigh alternatives and develop plans that meet these goals. Ocean resources lie at the core of coastal economies and with almost three billon people living in close proximity to the world’s coasts, the health of ocean resources is critical to both economic and environmental sustainability. Marine spatial planning can help maintain and restore valua
