engleski

Challenges of Marine Spatial Planning in Eastern Adriatic

Marine spatial planning (MPS), being a public process for analysing and planning the spatial and temporal distribution of human activities in sea areas to achieve economic, environmental and social objectives, is a mean for a rational and scientifically- based use of sea space. Its main purpose is to identify and manage spatial uses and conflicts in maritime areas and to provide a framework for arbitrating between competing human activities and managing their impact on the marine environment. MPS enables the recognition that the oceans are no longer free for all commons, but rather a space where human interests, responsibilities and ecosystems interact. There is no MSP in Croatia, or spatial planning with regard to the Adriatic Sea, but only a fragmented sectorial legislation. The paper identifies MPS as an important legal tool for the effective governance of marine areas. Any MSP should be developed in a transparent manner and should advocate public interest. Also, coherence between terrestrial and MSP should be achieved. Conducted properly, MSP should optimize the use of the sea, reduce the cost of information, regulation, planning and decision-making, it represents strategic planning, facilitates conflict resolution and sustainable resource use, helps to ensure that developing marine sectors are allocated space to develop, supports environmental economy, improves stakeholder involvement, and develops common approaches to the acquisition and dissemination of information. The authors are proposing that MSP in Eastern Adriatic should in particular take account of new land-based developmental hazards such as new construction and creation of impermeable surfaces.

marine spatial planning ; governance of marine areas ; integrated protection of marine environment ; Adriatic Sea

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