The act establishing the National Spatial Strategy for the Marine Space (NSSMS), which specifies and maps the country’s Marine Spatial Planning (MSP), was issued today at the initiative of the Ministry of Environment and Energy in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the co-responsible Ministries.

This is an important initiative, as for the first time our country sets the rules for the organization of the marine space. The MSP constitutes a holistic spatial planning framework and is a necessary condition for the successful development of a blue and circular economy, clearly reflecting the human activities that can be carried out in all the maritime zones of our country, with respect for the inalienable need to protect the environment.

The approach followed in the preparation of the MSP has often combined conflicting social, economic, energy and environmental parameters, in order to serve a series of interrelated objectives, such as the climate resilience of the marine environment, sustainable tourism development, the protection of our cultural heritage and in particular underwater antiquities, the improvement and protection of maritime transport, the exploitation of the country’s energy resources, fish farming and the strengthening of cross-border projects of common interest.

The MSP takes into account the interactions between land and sea activities and emphasizes the consultation and co-formulation of priorities per region, through the establishment of Marine Spatial Planning Frameworks.

With the MSP and the ECSC, the Greek State for the first time delimits detailed uses of its maritime zones, implementing the obligation arising from Directive 2014/89/EU and exercising the rights arising from International Law.

1. What is maritime spatial planning?

 The Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) reflects human activities in all the maritime zones of our country, with a view to protecting the environment in them.

At the same time, it determines the compatibility and parallel development of these activities, always guided by the sustainable development of marine areas and the exploitation of marine resources. The geographical scope of application of the maritime spatial planning was determined in accordance with the applicable legislation of the European Union and with the International Law of the Sea, in particular with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

 This procedure is provided for in Directive 2014/89/EU and thus fulfils our country’s European obligation. The correct transposition of the Directive into national law is essential for the development of a sustainable blue economy, the sustainable management of marine resources and the preservation of healthy marine ecosystems and biodiversity, within the framework of the European Green Deal.

It is worth noting that this directive does not affect the sovereign rights and jurisdiction of Member States over maritime waters, which derive from the relevant provisions of international law, in particular from UNCLOS.

2. What is his goal?

The organization of the marine space, the smooth interaction of land and marine activities, with the aim of environmental protection and sustainable development. When preparing the MSP, social, economic, energy and environmental parameters will be taken into account, for activities such as:

– the protection of the marine environment from the impacts of climate change – among other things – through the designation of marine parks,

– the preservation of our cultural heritage and especially underwater antiquities,

– the improvement and protection of maritime transport,

– sustainable tourism development,

– the exploitation of the country’s energy resources and especially the potential natural gas deposits and our offshore wind farms,

– fish farming,

– the strengthening of cross-border infrastructures of common interest with other member states of the European Union and its immediate region.

Marine spatial planning allows for a coordinated – and not fragmented – demarcation of human activities.

The correct transposition of the directive into national law is essential for the development of a sustainable blue economy, the sustainable use of marine resources and the preservation of healthy marine ecosystems and biodiversity, within the framework of the European Green Deal.

Following the strategic priorities set by the Prime Minister at the 9th “Our Ocean Conference”, the Plan is part of a holistic spatial planning policy for the country at sea and on land, which is progressively being implemented by the Greek Government.

3. Why is the maritime spatial planning being submitted now?

The Marine Spatial Planning is a Roadmap for the exploitation of our marine resources. Consequently, its design was the subject of extensive consultation with relevant Ministries, local government bodies, as well as local communities. The MSP acquires even greater value when it is taken into account that our country has the longest coastline in the European Union and the most registered islands.

4. Why was maritime spatial planning divided into 4 spatial units?

Because, in this way, the administrative structure of the respective Regions is depicted. The publication of the corresponding maritime spatial planning frameworks will follow, as was the case with the Regional Spatial Planning Frameworks (12 out of a total of 13 have already been published, while the 13th is underway).

5. Where is the maritime spatial planning published? How will citizens be informed?

It is published in the Official Gazette, as provided for in Greece, the European Union is informed and posted on its relevant online platforms. At the same time, there will be information actions by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy.

6. Does the MSP have geopolitical significance?

The geographical scope of application of maritime spatial planning was determined in accordance with applicable Union legislation and international law of the sea, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

It is the first time that the limits of the Greek continental shelf, i.e. the full influence of the mainland and the islands, have been reflected in an official EU regulatory text.

Maritime spatial planning implements a series of European strategies and is part of the European acquis.