Combining maritime uses, either through joint operations or joint installations, can reduce spatial pressures on European Seas and create new opportunities for socio-economic development, along with potential environmental benefits. 'Multi-use' implies a radical change from the concept of exclusive resource rights to an inclusive sharing of resources by one or more users. Thus multi-use often does not come naturally, but shall be motivated by clear drivers and added-values. This also implies that 'multi-use' solutions are not exclusively better than 'single-use' options. It is important to carefully consider local conditions when making a decision on whether to favour single – or multi-use in a given location. Further development of multi-use requires actions mainly from the users themselves, but also backed by research and legislation at all levels. Based on two years of systematic research, combined with extensive stakeholder involvement, within the framework of the Horizon 2020 funded MUSES project, the Action Plan details what actions are required and by whom in the coming years to turn the concept of Multi-Use in European sea basins into real life implementation.
There are no global estimates of the amount of plastic waste generated by the fisheries and aquaculture sector (FAO, 2017). Nevertheless, it is estimated that in the European Economic Area (EEA) losses are in the order of 3,000 to 41,000 tonnes of aquaculture waste per annum, and total stocks of debris already present in the ocean may be in the order of 95,000 to 655,000 tonnes from aquaculture (Sherrington et al., 2016). 'Identifying the options to address key waste items from the fishing industry and aquaculture which could contribute to marine litter, and implement pilot projects where appropriate (including deposit schemes, voluntary agreements and end-of-life recovery)' is a priority action at global level included in the G7 Action Plan on Marine Litter (2015). This crucial need is subsequently translated into action plans at European, regional and national level. The AQUA-LIT report 'Available Tools and Measures' gives an overview of the global, regional, European and national action plans and documents that contain measures to reduce or avoid marine litter from the aquaculture sector. Not only measures, but also needs, research gaps, actions and strategies are included. These measures are discussed in relation to their specific target group. It is important to note that only the measures and actions related to the aquaculture sector are included in this report. This report shows that marine litter is currently high on the political agenda. The global and European framework for the prevention and management of marine debris exists, but needs to be further translated into implemented tailor-made actions and measures depending on the source of marine debris. The results indicate that the necessary knowledge base to take policy actions and effective measures is currently largely lacking. This certainly applies to the aquaculture sector as a source of marine litter. This knowledge is indisputably necessary in order to implement clear policy actions and effective measures to prevent leakage of litter during aquaculture activities. This report, together with the report D2.2 'Knowledge wave on marine litter from aquaculture sources', forms the knowledge base for the AQUA-LIT workshops 'Learning Labs'. These Learning Labs will provide a forum for the face to face work with the aquaculture farmers, gear producers, ports staff, waste management, policy makers and other relevant stakeholders in the aquaculture sector.
There are no global estimates of the amount of plastic waste generated by the fisheries and aquaculture sector (FAO, 2017). Nevertheless, it is estimated that in the European Economic Area (EEA) losses are in the order of 3,000 to 41,000 tonnes of aquaculture waste per annum, and total stocks of debris already present in the ocean may be in the order of 95,000 to 655,000 tonnes from aquaculture (Sherrington et al., 2016). 'Identifying the options to address key waste items from the fishing industry and aquaculture which could contribute to marine litter, and implement pilot projects where appropriate (including deposit schemes, voluntary agreements and end-of-life recovery)' is a priority action at global level included in the G7 Action Plan on Marine Litter (2015). This crucial need is subsequently translated into action plans at European, regional and national level. The AQUALIT report 'Available Tools and Measures' gives an overview of the global, regional, European and national action plans and documents that contain measures to reduce or avoid marine litter from the aquaculture sector. Not only measures, but also needs, research gaps, actions and strategies are included. These measures are discussed in relation to their specific target group. It is important to note that only the measures and actions related to the aquaculture sector are included in this report. This report shows that marine litter is currently high on the political agenda. The global and European framework for the prevention and management of marine debris exists, but needs to be further translated into implemented tailor-made actions and measures depending on the source of marine debris. The results indicate that the necessary knowledge base to take policy actions and effective measures is currently largely lacking. This certainly applies to the aquaculture sector as a source of marine litter. This knowledge is indisputably necessary in order to implement clear policy actions and effective measures to prevent leakage of litter during aquaculture activities. This report, together with the report D2.2 'Knowledge wave on marine litter from aquaculture sources', forms the knowledge base for the AQUA-LIT workshops 'Learning Labs'. These Learning Labs will provide a forum for the face to face work with the aquaculture farmers, gear producers, ports staff, waste management, policy makers and other relevant stakeholders in the aquaculture sector.
This paper examines the concept of maritime multi-use as a territorial/SPATIAL governance instrument for the enhancement of sustainable development in five EU sea basins. Multi-use (MU) is expected to enhance the productivity of blue economy sectors, as well as deliver additional socio-economic benefits related to the environmental and social dimensions of sustainable development. The paper provides a definition of maritime multi-use and identifies the multi-uses with the highest potential in EU sea basins. In each sea basin, multi-use plays a different role as concerns sustainable development. For the Eastern Baltic Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea, the MU focus should remain on the environmental pillar of sustainable development. In the North Sea, North Atlantic and Western Baltic Sea, addressing social sustainability seems a key precondition for success of MU in enhancement of sustainable spatial development at sea. Moreover, it has been suggested to introduce MU key global strategies such as SDGs or Macroregional strategies and action plans and to supplement maritime spatial planning with sectoral incentives and educational efforts as key vehicles supporting MU. The paper concludes by identifying aspects which, in order to inform maritime spatial planning and maritime governance regarding a more conscious application of the aforementioned concept, require further investigation. Key tasks are related to: more profound evaluation of performance of policies supporting MUs, researching the impact of MU on societal goals and on the MU costs and benefits, including external ones, and finally identifying the impact of MU on the development of various sectors and regions on land.
This paper examines the concept of maritime multi-use as a territorial/SPATIAL governance instrument for the enhancement of sustainable development in five EU sea basins. Multi-use (MU) is expected to enhance the productivity of blue economy sectors, as well as deliver additional socio-economic benefits related to the environmental and social dimensions of sustainable development. The paper provides a definition of maritime multi-use and identifies the multi-uses with the highest potential in EU sea basins. In each sea basin, multi-use plays a different role as concerns sustainable development. For the Eastern Baltic Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea, the MU focus should remain on the environmental pillar of sustainable development. In the North Sea, North Atlantic and Western Baltic Sea, addressing social sustainability seems a key precondition for success of MU in enhancement of sustainable spatial development at sea. Moreover, it has been suggested to introduce MU key global strategies such as SDGs or Macroregional strategies and action plans and to supplement maritime spatial planning with sectoral incentives and educational efforts as key vehicles supporting MU. The paper concludes by identifying aspects which, in order to inform maritime spatial planning and maritime governance regarding a more conscious application of the aforementioned concept, require further investigation. Key tasks are related to: more profound evaluation of performance of policies supporting MUs, researching the impact of MU on societal goals and on the MU costs and benefits, including external ones, and finally identifying the impact of MU on the development of various sectors and regions on land.
