Abstract

Over the last decade, in response to the increasing demand for maritime spaces and resources (UNESCO 2012), a growing attention has been paid to Maritime Spatial Planning, identified as a viable tool for promoting a rational allocation of maritime uses and for balancing the demand for economic development of maritime activities with the need to preserve the integrity marine ecosystems (Ehler and Douvere 2009). Even if spatial planning is not a formal EU competence, the European legislator has established the need to develop a common approach to maritime spatial management across all Member States (COM(2007) 575; COM(2008)791 final). In particular, with the entering in force of the new Directive on MSP (2014/89/EU) to be ratified within 2016, all Member States will have to identify competent authorities and to develop trans-boundary maritime spatial management plans within 2021. The Directive on MSP is considered an inter-sectoral instrument of the European Integrated Maritime Policy (COM 575/2007) which would like to address two main issues: 1)The economic development of the EU maritime spaces (Blue Growth maritime pillar COM 494/2012), and 2)The maintenance and improvement of the marine water conditions (Maritime Strategy Framework Directive 2008/56/CE - environmental pillar).

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