Center for Coastal & Marine Studies
MSP BOOSTS SUSTAINABLE MARINE PROTECTION
Authors:
Margarita Stancheva, Center for Coastal and Marine Studies – CCMS
Agnese Cosulich, Sustainable Projects GmbH – s.Pro
Natascha Jaspert, Sustainable Projects GmbH – s.Pro
Addressing the Challenges
Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) is designed to follow an Ecosystem-Based Approach (EBA), ensuring marine ecosystem health and sustainability. In practice, MSP is often assumed as sector-driven, with limited integration of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and area-based conservation measures. Challenges include unclear biodiversity criteria, weak policy coherence, and limited understanding of human–ecosystem interactions.
The MSP4BIO Approach: Innovative Solutions for Nature-Inclusive MSP
To tackle these gaps, MSP4BIO developed and tested an innovative Ecological and Socio-Economic (ESE) management framework in close collaboration with stakeholders. This flexible, integrated approach enhances biodiversity integration in MSP and sectoral planning, adapting to the rapid changes in marine ecosystems.
CCMS ATTENDED THE EMD 2025
The European Maritime Day (EMD2025), took place in Cork, Ireland on 21-23 of May 2025 and was organised by the European Commission, the Cork City Council and the Irish ministry Department of Environment, Climate and Communications.
The CCMS team participated in the event, taking part in both the plenary sessions and workshops. The results of our two EU projects, Horizon Europe MSP4BIO and Mission Ocean BLUE CONNECT, were prominently featured and promoted. Representatives from both projects attended EMD 2025, contributing to the extensive exhibitions that showcased the MSP4BIO and MPAs Community Network. Additionally, we engaged in the interactive group discussion during Workshop 16, titled "Mission Ocean-Unlocking Phase2 Scalable Governance," where we presented a brief overview of the stakeholder approach and engagement strategies for BLUE CONNECT.
The next EMD2026 will be held in Limassol, Cyprus, 21 - 22 May 2026!
MSP4BIO Blue Series of Webinar
As the MSP4BIO project comes to an end, we invite you to the MSP4BIO Blue Series, which includes four webinars discussing how Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) can enhance marine biodiversity protection, encourage sustainable planning and management practices, and support to achieving the Europe's 30×30 goals.
1: Empowering Marine Spatial Planning with SeaSketch
When: 15 May 2025, 2–3 PM CET, Online
Hosted: by the University of Azores (UAc)
Register: here
2: Smart Tools for Preserved Seas: The MSP4BIO Ecological Toolkit and Real-World Applications
When: 28 May 2025, 9:30–12:30 CET, Online
Hosted: by CNR-ISMAR
Register: here
3: How Can Marine Spatial Planning Help Achieve Europe's 30×30 Targets?
When: 6 June 2025, 12–2 PM CET, Online
Hosted: by PAP/RAC
Register: here
4. Nature-Inclusive Approaches of the Blue Economy in MPAs: Good Management Practices and Orientations
When: 20 June 2025, 2–3:30 PM CET, Online
Hosted: by the University of Cadiz (UCA)
Register: here
Further details & the full list of our upcoming events can be found here!
We are looking forward to seeing you there!
The MSP4BIO Team
WELCOME TO THE #6 ISSUE OF THE BLUE HORIZONS MPA NEWSLETTER!
We’re thrilled to bring you a wave of exciting updates from across our marine conservation and MSP initiatives!
- The MPA Community Network is now live — your new hub for tools, case studies, and peer exchange to support effective MPA management!
- Don’t miss the launch of the MPA Design Card Game, co-developed by BLUE4ALL, BioProtect, Pharos, Marine Plan, MSP4BIO, and Blue CONNECT, and already successfully tested during European Ocean Days.
- Get ready for the MSP4BIO Final Event, where we’ll share key results, policy recommendations, and what’s next for biodiversity in marine spatial planning.
Read the full newsletter here!
