SIMNORAT - Annex 1 to Initial Assessment: Marine Environment (D1)
Component: 1.1 Initial Assessment Sub-component: 1.1.3 Marine Environment Annex The purpose of this document is to identify the specific ecological characteristics of the marine management area. It aims at identifying where the particularly sensitive or ecologically important areas are. Identifying where ecologically or biologically significant areas are located is a key step for marine spatial planning. This assessment is centered on the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (European Parliament et Council of European Union s. d.) 'Good Environmental Status' Descriptor 1 (Biodiversity) and Descriptor 4 (Ecosystems, including food webs). ; This report was produced as part of SIMNORAT Project (Grant Agreement N0. EASME/EMFF/2015/1.2.1.3/03/SI2.742089). 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 framework in order to reduce conflicts between sectors and create synergies between different activities, to encourage investment – by creating predictability, transparency and clearer rules, to increase cross-border cooperation – between EU countries to develop energy grids, shipping lanes, pipelines, submarine cables and other activities, but also to develop coherent networks of protected areas, and to protect the environment – through early identification of impact and opportunities for multiple use of space. The SIMNORAT project (Supporting Implementation of Maritime Spatial Planning in the Northern European Atlantic) is an EU/DG Mare co-funded cross-border project. It ...