Working Group on Marine Planning and Coastal Zone Management (WGMPCZM; outputs from 2022 meeting)

The Working Group Marine Planning Coastal Zone Management (WGMPCZM) facilitates exchange of information about current developments around marine spatial planning (MSP) and coastal zone management (CZM). The 2020 - 2022 Terms of Reference for WGMPCZM reflected the increasing implementation of MSP internationally; for example, the implementation of the EU MSP Directive (2014/89/EU) meant that European Member States had to adopt national marine spatial plans by mid-2021. While Covid significantly affected our way of working, the membership adapted our approach to ensure that we could deliver constructively during the period.

There were six Terms of Reference for WGMPCZM. The members kept a wider perspective through an overarching reporting ToR (a: progress in MSP/CZM). It followed established and emerging knowledge and method development for marine/coastal planning and management. There were 4 technical ToRs that reflected the primary topics requiring further knowledge and method development (b: biodiversity and restoration, c: climate change; d: transboundary issues; and f: social aspects). These were complemented by ToR e: education and training; linking the insights of the group directly to the development of the profession. ToRs a) and e) have existed over several working periods, while the other ToRs have been added or adapted depending on emerging issues of relevance.

WGMPCZM provided a mechanizm to carry out a stocktake of marine spatial planning progress in participating countries. It facilitated participation at conferences, partnerships in projects, technical workshops and collaboration on scientific literature. It also enabled co-working with international organizations, such as IOC UNESCO. Two workshops were held, one on Workshop on Transboundary Issues in Marine Spatial Planning and the second on Social Impacts of Marine Spatial Planning. The terms of reference for two other workshops were progressed, on restoration and climate change.

Based on the outputs and findings of the current Term (2020-2022), the participants reviewed the existing activities and Terms of Reference. It was decided to continue and update the existing ToRs. Restoration, Climate Change, Education and Social Impacts will continue to be prioritized. The Transboundary ToR is parked and there is a new ToR proposed around Offshore Energy reflecting the increasing policy needs.