On 26 September 2024, the Atlantic Ocean and North Sea Workshop convened in Saint Malo, marking a significant event in the EU sea basins organized by the MSP-GREEN project. This initiative, co-funded by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund, is dedicated to advancing the European Green Deal (EGD) through Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP).
Workshop Highlights
During the workshop, participants discussed the main outcomes of the MSP-GREEN project, particularly its recommendations for EGD implementation tailored to the Atlantic and Channel-North Sea basins.
Collaborative Efforts
A key theme of the discussions was the potential of voluntary cooperation under the Atlantic Maritime Strategy (AMS) to enhance the Blue Economy in the Atlantic region. Participants emphasized that AMS stakeholders share common challenges and can implement the EGD while respecting their unique priorities, as outlined in the Pillars of the AAP2.0.
Cross-Basin Dialogue
The workshop also fostered cross-sea basin dialogue, particularly regarding the Greater North Sea Basin Initiative (GNSBI). As GNSBI is still being developed, insights from the AMS and its AAP2.0 can serve as valuable practices for effective governance. Notably, the two sea basin initiatives share maritime spaces, including the Channel and Celtic Sea, creating opportunities for synergy.
Conclusion
In alignment with the French Presidency of the AMS and the Porto Ministerial Declaration, the workshop highlighted the role of MSP as a crucial enabler for the operationalization of both the AMS and the EGD. By implementing specific strategies at various governance levels—local, national, and sea basin—stakeholders can enhance cooperation as outlined in Articles 11 and 12 of the MSP Directive.
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