Comparative analysis of Maritime Spatial Planning ... - Seanergy 2020

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3. MEDITERRANEAN SEAThe Mediterranean Sea has a total surface of 2.5 million km², a narrow continental shelf (with theexception of certain areas such as the North of the Adriatic Sea, the Strait of Sicily and the AegeanSea) and great depths: over 3 000 m in the large basins, with records of over 5000 m in sometrenches. There is little tidal variation, with amplitudes below 50 cm in most places. The water ishighly saline and has a rich biodiversity. The Mediterranean represents a unique ecosystem.The EU has almost 4 000 km of Mediterranean coastline. 150 million people live along the shores ofthe Mediterranean. Tourism represents the number one economic activity in this sea basin. 30 % oftourists worldwide visit the Mediterranean countries, with 1 million cruise passengers a year. TheMediterranean is, with 30 % of all international cargo traffic passing, a major shipping channel. Thelargest port, Marseilles (France) is ranked fourth in Europe. Container traffic is experiencing particularexpansion. Passenger transport activities are the most developed in Greece, Italy and Spainconcentrated and represent an important navigational activity as well. Aquaculture (fish farming) iswell established, and the fishing industry (mainly small-scale) is a significant source of employment.Overfishing is a problem for the majority of fishery resources. The Mediterranean is also ageostrategic area of importance with large naval bases 29 .These specific geophysical features and the importance of tourism, navigation and fisheries can beconsidered important natural barriers and obstacles for the development of offshore renewableenergy. Since there is almost no tidal movement in this semi-enclosed sea, tidal and wave energy arelikely not to be developed in this region very soon. Given the narrow continental shelf and the greatwater depths, locations for offshore wind energy are mostly limited to near shore in the territorial sea.However, the socio-economic interests for coastal communities are also more important in theterritorial zone, which may hamper the acceptance for offshore wind energy deployment. However,these geophysical and socio-economic barriers could also be considered as an opportunity to pushthe development of offshore wind energy into very deep waters. The Mediterranean could become aninteresting European test site for innovative floating substructures.To define a maritime spatial planning policy in favour of offshore renewable energy development mayturn out to be quite a challenge in the Mediterranean, given the well-established position of theexisting maritime sectors. More than in other sea basins, they constitute a very important part ofregional employment (fishing, tourism, ports). The military activities around the important navalbases in the Mediterranean are equally a limiting factor for the deployment of offshore renewableenergy at some locations.Although these geophysical, geopolitical and economic particularities are likely to remain importantbarriers to the development of offshore renewable energies in this sea basin, they are not necessarily29 This part is based on information from DG Maritime Affairs, available athttp://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/atlas/seabasins/mediterranean/index_en.htm.Deliverable D 2.368 | P a g e
insurmountable. There are a number of good reasons to stimulate the development of offshore windenergy, also in this area.High population density means high electricity demand in the coastal states surrounding theMediterranean. This important regional electricity demand of potentially 150 million consumers couldbecome one of the driving forces if this region chooses to stimulate the development of clean, safeand local ORE 30 . An ORE driven energy policy in the Mediterranean could generate a beneficial socioeconomicimpact by creating a new maritime industry sector with new employment opportunities.A sea basin specific MSP policy and adapted legal framework may help overcome the „natural‟disadvantages of the Mediterranean Sea. Mediterranean coastal states could be supported, like theBaltic countries, in their exercise to develop pilot MSPs in territorial seas and in high seas areas. TheEU could support the development of demonstration zones by, for instance, co-funding soilinvestigation campaigns, Strategic Environmental Assessments and Research and Development inthe floating substructures technology.3.1 POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORK3.1.1 Barriers and obstacles for offshore RE: the maritime zones delimitation issue 31The Mediterranean Sea basin is a particular case since 53 % of its maritime zones are under the highseas regime. Territorial waters, established by coastal States over a width of 12 nautical miles (6nautical miles for Greece) represent only 16 % of the total surface area. Few states have asked foran exclusive economic zone, but some have declared new types of zones, which are not covered bythe law of the sea, such as fishing zones or ecological protection zones. These specific zones cover31 % of the surface of the Mediterranean.As stated before 32, legally binding delimitation of maritime zones is considered to be a prerequisitebefore any marine spatial planning policy can begin to develop. This basic principle equally applies tothe Mediterranean. The fact that no Mediterranean state33 so far has extended its jurisdictionbeyond the territorial sea is considered as an important obstacle for developing offshore renewableenergy in this area.30 ORE combined with solar energy and hydro-electricity to balance the intermittent nature of offshore windenergy.31 Source: www.fao.org/32 See MRAG report on comparison of MSP procedures in 17 EU countries, April 201133 Except for MonacoDeliverable D 2.369 | P a g e
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThis study forms p
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TASK 2.6: TABLE OF CONTENTSTASK 2.6
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1 INTRODUCTIONThis report responds
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Before going any further in terms o
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procedures, in terms of for example
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3 DATA AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT3.
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3.3 Best practice in data and infor
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the required data. Once the „cada
Page 18 and 19: Encourage the use of legislation to
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