MSP-OR: Advancing Maritime Spatial Planning in Outermost Regions

Funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, the MSP-OR project aims to improve the implementation of the maritime spatial planning in the outermost regions of the Macaronesia (Azores, Madeira and Canary Islands) and French Guiana.

The project supports competent national authorities to adopt their maritime spatial plans, as indicated in the EU MSP Directive 2014/89/EU. It also contributes to promote ocean governance and to apply ecosystem-based approaches, which means – among other requirements – that maritime spatial planning must be based on the best available scientific knowledge about the ecosystem and its dynamics to protect the environment.

Natali Santos, co-coordinator of the MSP-OR project, states: “The importance of the MSP-OR project is to allow a coordinated effort of the outermost regions of Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands and French Guiana in their MSP process implementation based on robust knowledge and best practice transfer. Our motto “a sustainable ocean uniting us” is stronger than ever!” 

Ocean Governance Hub in Outermost Regions and cooperation with MSP projects

The project supports cooperation between Portugal, Spain and France and their outermost regions, also thanks to the OR´s Ocean Governance Hub, the online platform launched by MSP-OR in November 2022, where stakeholders share knowledge and experiences.

The MSP-OR project builds upon previous initiatives such as the MarSP project and the recommendations from the IOC-UNESCO Guide to Evaluating MSP Plans, and works in cooperation with other EU funded projects such as eMSP NBSR, MSP-MED, MSP-Green, REGINA MSP, PLASMAR+, and more.

MSP-OR’s activities aim to trigger change and innovation by:

• integrating the ecosystem-based management through practical case studies; 
• developing robust, coherent and performance-oriented monitoring programmes; 
• addressing specific gaps on data and concrete economic sectors with potential in the outermost regions; 
• fine-tuning the planning process to address the management needs of Marine Protected Areas, or of specific ecosystems.

More information

For more information on the MSP-OR project, check-out their project website and follow them on social media. To deepen your knowledge about maritime spatial planning have a look at the EU MSP Platform with many learning resources, including their Newsletter.