Marine Spatial Planning (MSP)

The seas look vast. Standing on a cliff looking out to sea it is hard to believe that they play host to fiercely competitive sectors all vying for access to limited resources.  Yet this is the case.  

Planning for how space is to be used on land has become a fundamental principle for our modern societies.  It is now recognised that a similar planning regime for coasts and seas is required in order to avoid and resolve conflicts as well as ensure precious maritime resources are used sustainably.

It is seen as a way of improving decision-making and delivering sustainable management of marine activities. It is a planning tool that enables integrated, forward-looking and consistent decision-making on the use of the sea.

The main elements of marine spatial planning include an interlinked system of plans, policies and regulations that works across sectors and gives a geographic context in which to make decisions about the use of resources.

Click Here to find out more about Marine Spatial Planning

Lyme Bay and EROCIPS

The EROCIPS project in Lyme Bay specifically addresses both the general public and key stakeholder groups in Marine Spatial Planning.  The outcomes from this project include:

The outcomes of this Pilot include:

• Raised awareness of the value of Devon's marine environment and its natural resource
• Expansion of EROCIPS GIS mapping to include wider interests and activities (e.g. fishing, recreation and tourism)
• Increased understanding of the potential impacts of oil spills and of the broad principles of oil spill response, including clean-up operations

For general information about Lyme Bay, the Lyme Bay reefs and habitat and biotope mapping in Lyme Bay follow this link

Further details about this project can be found here