{"id":8595,"date":"2020-02-17T07:05:00","date_gmt":"2020-02-17T06:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.gstic.org\/?p=8595"},"modified":"2022-03-18T11:48:05","modified_gmt":"2022-03-18T10:48:05","slug":"marine-spatial-planning-sustainable-blue-economy","status":"publish","type":"story","link":"https:\/\/www.gstic.org\/expert-story\/marine-spatial-planning-sustainable-blue-economy\/","title":{"rendered":"Marine spatial planning to create space for a sustainable economy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As the largest ecosystems on our planet, oceans and seas play a significant role in climate regulation. Also, they are vital to the world\u2019s economy. More than 90% of the world trade is using sea routes, and oceans and seas provide jobs to millions of people.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blue economy, which covers all economic activities related to the world\u2019s oceans and seas, is predicted to be an important driver for economic growth in the coming years.  According to a conservative projection by the OECD<\/a>, its value-added output could even double in size over the next decade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Sustainable<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Only a sustainable blue economy can support robust growth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

But as the blue economy grows, the natural assets of our oceans and seas will face unparalleled pressures. Competition for ocean space will increase when economic activities such as marine aquaculture, renewable energy, and marine and coastal tourism boost and generate added demand in ocean-related industries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hence, there is an immediate need to manage oceans and seas more coherently and safeguard them against activities that undermine the basis on which ocean industries depend. Only a sustainable blue economy that fits within the boundaries of our oceans\u2019 and seas\u2019 ecosystems is capable of supporting robust growth of ocean-related economic activities. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Marine spatial planning puts \u2018ocean space\u2019 on the agenda<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A sustainable blue economy calls for a strategic and integrated approach to planning the development of oceans and seas. Marine Spatial Planning, MSP in short, is increasingly gaining traction as a powerful instrument to put \u2018ocean space\u2019 on the sustainable development agenda and provide a breeding ground for new development paths towards a sustainable blue economy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

MSP brings together different stakeholders, such as industry, government, conservation and recreation, and enables them to jointly make thoughtful decisions about how to allocate space among competing economic activities while protecting marine ecosystems. Marine Spatial Planning works across sectors and national borders to encourage investments. It does so by creating more transparent rules and a more predictable investment climate. At the same time, it aims to ensure that human activities at sea do not further jeopardise the health of our oceans and seas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Marine<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Informed decisions facilitated by technological innovations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

To empower informed decisions, Marine Spatial Planning relies on technological innovations that deliver reliable and relevant data. Examples include<\/p>\n\n\n\n