Center for Coastal & Marine Studies
MSP4BIO Delivers Innovative Solutions for Biodiversity-Centered Maritime Spatial Planning Across Europe
Authors:
Margarita Stancheva, Center for Coastal and Marine Studies – CCMS
Agnese Cosulich, Sustainable Projects GmbH – s.Pro
As European countries move forward with Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP), one challenge remains consistent: how to effectively protect and restore biodiversity while managing the many demands on our marine spaces. MSP4BIO is tackling this head-on with innovative solutions that bridge the gap between theory and practice — ensuring that biodiversity becomes a core element of MSP across Europe.
One Goal, Many Contexts
EU Member States are at different stages of MSP development. Plans vary in scope—national, regional, and transboundary—and address a broad mix of social, economic, and environmental priorities. Recognising this diversity, MSP4BIO is working in six real-world test sites across the Baltic Sea, North Sea, Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Black Sea. These sites reflect a wide range of planning, challenges and offer opportunities to develop and test solutions that are adaptable and scalable across Europe and beyond.
Read the full Blog Post on the MSP4BIO website!
Want to dive deeper into the solutions?
👉 Download the full report here!
👉 Stay tuned and follow us on LinkedIn for more updates from MSP4BIO as we shape the future of marine spatial planning — where biodiversity and human activity go hand in hand.
Registration open: Nature Inclusive Marine Spatial Planning: Insights from MSP4BIO Test sites
We are delighted to announce that registration is now open for the MSP4BIO webinar: "Nature Inclusive Marine Spatial Planning: Insights from MSP4BIO Test sites"
Date: April 9th, 2025
Time: from 13:00 to 16:00 CET
Format: Online Webinar
Join us for this exclusive webinar hosted by CCMS, exploring the latest advancements in Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and its impact on biodiversity conservation. This session will present key insights from Deliverable 5.3 of the MSP4BIO project, showcasing practical applications and success stories from test sites where tailored MSP strategies have led to effective ecosystem preservation.
What to Expect:
• Expert insights into innovative MSP approaches
• Real-world applications from MSP4BIO test sites
• Collaborative strategies for marine biodiversity conservation
This webinar offers a unique opportunity to engage with leading experts and deepen your understanding of nature-inclusive marine planning.
The Agenda is available here!
Registration is available here!
MPS4BIO FINAL EVENT
MSP4BIO Final Event – Venice, 2th- 4th of July 2025
Join us for the MSP4BIO Final Event, an essential gathering for MSP4BIO Communities of Practice and stakeholders, marine planners, marine protected areas managers, policy and decision makers and experts in marine conservation and sustainability. This event is set against the backdrop of Venice’s historic charm and will run concurrently with the MEDIGREEN´s internal workshop event, offering a comprehensive platform for discussion and networking.
Event Overview:
Dates: July 2-4, 2025
Location: CNR ISMAR Headquarter, Venice – Italy
Format: Keynote speeches, interactive sessions, and workshops with projects partners and policymakers.
Why Attend?
Engage with international experts and stakeholders, discover innovative practices in marine planning and conservation management, and connect with peers to forge partnerships for future collaboration.
Upcoming Details: Stay tuned for more information on the agenda, keynote speakers, and special sessions.
Registration: Registration details will be provided soon.
We look forward to welcoming you to Venice for an inspiring three days of learning and collaboration aimed at shaping the future of our oceans.
BLUE CONNECT at the European Ocean Days 2025!
From March 3rd-7th, the EUROPEAN OCEAN DAYS brought together policymakers, researchers, and practitioners in Brussels to discuss the future of Ocean Governance, Marine Conservation, and the Blue Economy. As part of the BLUE CONNECT project, we were there to gather insights on the latest marine protection strategies and challenges, connect with key stakeholders and explore potential collaborations.
One of the highlights was the MPA Card Game, developed collaboratively by BLUE CONNECT, BIOPROTECT, PHAROS, BLUE4ALL, Marine Plan, and MSP4BIO.
The game was a hit!
