Multi-use of the sea: from research to practice

¹ The Maritime Institute in Gdansk, Długi Targ 41/42, 80-830 Gdańsk, Poland
² CNR - National Research Council of Italy, ISMAR - Institute of Marine Sciences Arsenale - Tesa 104, Castello 2737/F, I-30122 Venice, Italy
³ Marine Scotland Science, 375 Victoria Road, Aberdeen, AB11 9DB, Scotland, UK
⁴ MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre; FCT - University of the Azores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal.
⁵ CIBIO – Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources/InBIO – Associate Laboratory; University of the Azores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal.
⁶ University of the Azores, 9501-801 Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal.
⁷ SUBMARINER Network for Blue Growth EEIG, Kärntener Str. 20, DE–10827 Berlin, Germany
⁸ University of Dundee, Nethergate, Dundee DD1 4HN, United Kingdom
⁹ Thetis SpA, Castello 2737/f, 30122 Venice, Italy
¹⁰ Ecorys Nederland, Watermanweg 44, 3067 GG Rotterdam, The Netherlands
¹¹ Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany

Abstract

The increasing demand for ocean resources exerts an increasing pressure on the use of ocean space across all European Sea Basins. This underlines issues of compatibility (or conflicts) between different maritime uses as well as between economic activities and environmental protection. The idea of multi-use (MU), as a guiding concept for efficient allocation of compatible activities in the same marine space, can increase spatial efficiency and at the same time provide socio-economic and environmental benefits. However, its transition from a concept to real-world development is facing several barriers. Based on analysis of five European sea basins done under the Horizon 2020 MUSES project (Multi-Use in European Seas), this paper aims to clarify the concept of MU by discussing: 1) the definition in the literature and practice so far, and; 2) how existing regulatory and planning regimes are supporting and challenging the development of several MUs (considered as the most promising). The analytical methodology developed for the MUSES project relied on data collected via desk research and semi structured interviews with key stakeholders (e.g. industry, regulators), over the period of seven months. The semi-quantitative analysis of data conducted, identified the commonalities and differences among countries in respect to each of the analyzed MUs. The paper points out priorities for the MU development in different sea basins and recommends initial steps to overcome existing barriers, whilst maximizing local benefits. This paper is a starting point towards a broader scientific debate on: (i) what could be the role of management policies (like for instance maritime spatial planning - MSP) in supporting and fostering MU concept development, (ii) what are technical and technological challenges for technically advanced MUs, (iii) how added values of MUs concept (e.g. benefits for local economies, positive impacts on environment) could be enhanced.