SIMWESTMED - Case Study #4 "Strait of Sicily - Malta" (R23)
Component: C 1.3 Support for Member States' implementation of Maritime Spatial Planning Sub‐component: C 1.3.6. Establish Case Studies on Approaches to MSP Implementation Case Study #4 Strait of Sicily (Italy-Malta) The SIMWESTMED case study for Malta is focused on the Malta - Sicily marine waters, bordering the south of Sicily and the north of the Maltese Islands. The study area (9420 km2) features portions of internal, territorial and international waters, continental shelf areas, Malta's Contiguous Zone and Malta's Fisheries Management Conservation Zone. After a thorough refinement of information on legal/planning status, environmental conditions and uses and acquisition of fine scale spatial data, available approaches and toolsets (http://data.adriplan.eu/tools4msp/) were used to identify MSP issues for the area, conflicts among uses and their cumulative effects on the marine environment, proper analysis of land-sea interactions, and elaborate recommendations for transboundary MSP. Results and stakeholders engagement were used for the proposal of integrated sectoral measures, with the identification of possible management objectives, plan proposals and recommendations. ; This report/document was produced as part of the SIMWESTMED Project (Grant Agreement N0. EASME/EMFF/2015/1.2.1.3/02/SI2.742101). PROJECT: Supporting Implementation of Maritime Spatial Planning in the Western Mediterranean region (SIMWESTMED) Competition for maritime space – for renewable energy equipment, aquaculture and other uses – has highlighted the need to manage our waters more coherently. Maritime spatial planning (MSP) works across borders and sectors to ensure human activities at sea take place in an efficient, safe and sustainable way. That is why the European Parliament and the Council have adopted a legislation to create a common framework for maritime spatial planning in Europe. The Directive 2014/89/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 (said Maritime Spatial Planning Directive) establishes a ...