On the impact of the implementation of the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive 2014/89/EU on fisheries in selected fishing areas and sea basins
PECH-PR-781431
Committee on Fisheries · Rapporteur: Stéphanie YonCourtin
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This draft report assesses the impact of the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive on fisheries and aquaculture. It finds uneven implementation, limited benefits for fisheries, and weak stakeholder involvement.¶¶¶ It recommends strengthening legislative coherence, adopting a multi-use approach, improving governance and data collection, and revising the Directive through the future Ocean Act.¶¶¶
Committee position. The rapporteur proposes a resolution that highlights shortcomings in the Directive's implementation and makes recommendations for improvement, including a revision of the Directive.¶¶
Key points
- Implementation of the MSP Directive has been uneven and incomplete, with plans varying in binding nature and governance across Member States.¶
- Fisheries have not seen significant benefits; they face spatial restrictions, displacement, and pressure on remaining grounds, while aquaculture sees marginal improvements but licensing burdens.¶
- Stakeholder involvement is constrained, with fishers and coastal communities lacking early and meaningful engagement compared to stronger sectors.¶
- Data collection gaps and limited cross-border coordination hinder effective implementation and ecosystem-based approaches.¶¶
- Calls for better alignment of the MSP Directive with related EU legislation, including the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and the Common Fisheries Policy.¶
- Supports a multi-use approach and establishment of priority zones for fisheries and aquaculture, based on scientific and socio-economic assessments.¶
- Urges systematic early involvement of stakeholders, including small-scale fishers, and promotion of co-management models.¶
- Recommends moving from national plans to sea-basin strategies and enhancing cooperation with neighbouring coastal states.¶
- Calls for significant resources for data collection and research to support evidence-based planning.¶
- Supports revision of the MSP Directive through the Ocean Act to establish a coherent framework with binding targets and improved land-sea planning.¶
Who is affected
- Fisheries and aquaculture sectors, particularly small-scale fishers, who face spatial restrictions and competition for maritime space.¶¶
- Member States with coastlines, which are responsible for implementing maritime spatial plans and engaging stakeholders.¶¶
- Coastal communities and stakeholders, who need better involvement in planning processes.¶
- The European Commission, which is called on to monitor implementation and support cross-border cooperation.¶¶