Press Release: Commission welcomes Parliament’s adoption of Maritime Spatial Planning legislation

On 17 April 2014, the European Parliament endorsed a Directive for Maritime Spatial Planning which should help Member States develop plans to better coordinate the various activities that take place at sea, ensuring they are as efficient and sustainable as possible.

In coastal and maritime areas, many activities compete for the same space and resources: fishing grounds, aquaculture farms, marine protected areas exist alongside maritime infrastructures such as cables, pipelines, shipping lanes and oil, gas and wind installations. The new Directive will help avoid potential conflicts between such diverse uses and create a stable environment attractive to investors, thereby contributing to sustainable growth.

ESO: Background information: Council confirms deal on maritime spatial planning http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-council-confirms-deal-on-maritime-spatial-planning/

European Commission: RAPID: MEMO/14/313: Questions and Answers on the Directive on Maritime Spatial Planning http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-313_en.pdf

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