What is it?
EB-MSP (Ecosystem-Based Maritime Spatial Planning tool) is an assessment framework that integrates ecological, social, and economic criteria to evaluate current and future uses of marine space. It is designed to support public authorities, MSP practitioners, maritime-sector stakeholders, and managing bodies in the development, review, and optimisation of marine spatial plans consistent with ecosystem-based management objectives.
The problem it solves
- Limited availability of robust methodologies that systematically integrate ecological, social, and economic dimensions within MSP processes.
- Need to assess cumulative impacts, trade-offs, and synergies among multiple and competing marine uses.
- Lack of operational tools to support compliance with EU MSP objectives and other international policy and governance frameworks.
How does it work?
- The tool is structured around 130 statements that define specific actions and tasks to be addressed at different stages of the MSP cycle, with the aim of operationalising the ecosystem-based approach.
- For each statement, users provide structured information across several fields, including: Level of implementation; Relevance; Knowledge base (scientific, technical, stakeholder-based); Degree of certainty: and Justification and supporting evidence
Key benefits
- Assessment processing: User inputs are analysed to quantify the degree of implementation of ecosystem-based management principles within the assessed plan.
- Graphical visualisation: Results are displayed through interactive visual outputs that identify strengths, gaps, and weaknesses in relation to EBM principles.
- Aggregated results: Summary indicators and charts provide a synthetic overview of overall alignment with ecosystem-based management.
- Data storage and export: All responses are stored in a structured database and can be exported as Excel files; a comprehensive assessment report, including graphics and supporting information, can also be generated.
- Barrier identification: The tool highlights areas of low alignment or implementation, identifying institutional, technical, or knowledge-related constraints.
- Strategic guidance: EB-MSP supports decision-makers by identifying priority actions and improvements required to enhance sustainability, reduce conflicts among uses, and strengthen biodiversity conservation within MSP processes.
Scientific publications
