Authors:
Margarita Stancheva, Center for Coastal and Marine Studies – CCMS
Agnese Cosulich, Sustainable Projects GmbH – s.Pro
As European countries move forward with Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP), one challenge remains consistent: how to effectively protect and restore biodiversity while managing the many demands on our marine spaces. MSP4BIO is tackling this head-on with innovative solutions that bridge the gap between theory and practice — ensuring that biodiversity becomes a core element of MSP across Europe.
One Goal, Many Contexts
EU Member States are at different stages of MSP development. Plans vary in scope—national, regional, and transboundary—and address a broad mix of social, economic, and environmental priorities. Recognising this diversity, MSP4BIO is working in six real-world test sites across the Baltic Sea, North Sea, Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Black Sea. These sites reflect a wide range of planning, challenges and offer opportunities to develop and test solutions that are adaptable and scalable across Europe and beyond.
From Theory to Action
While there is a strong theoretical foundation for integrating Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) into MSP—and growing ecological research to support it—practical implementation still lags. Planners and decision-makers need clear, validated strategies they can trust.
MSP4BIO rises to this challenge by designing and testing tailored spatial and strategic solutions for each test site. These include identifying and prioritising areas for new MPAs, expanding current ones, supporting restoration efforts, and implementing sector-specific management measures. All are designed to align with ambitious EU policy targets, including the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, the European Green Deal, the Nature Restoration Law, and the forthcoming European Ocean Pact.
Co-Designed Solutions for Real-World Impact
At the heart of the project are MSP4BIO Communities of Practice (CoPs)—collaborative groups of planners, MPA managers, scientists, and stakeholders who co-develop solutions through an iterative, participatory process. These solutions are guided by the project’s Ecological and Socio-Economic (ESE) Integrated Framework and supported by cutting-edge Decision Support Tools (DSTs) such as:
- SeaSketch for participatory mapping and scenario planning
- PlanWise4Blue (PW4B), including Cumulative Effect Assessment and Area-based Conservation Planner
- HELCOM SPIA for pressure and impact assessments
Together, these tools support a deeper understanding of marine ecosystems, human pressures, trade-offs, and decision-making under uncertainty.
What We have Learned So Far
MSP4BIO has uncovered valuable benefits across the test sites:
- Stronger collaboration between MSP and MPA actors
- Improved prioritisation of MPAs using ecological and socio-economic data
- Participatory processes that strengthen stakeholder engagement
- Data-driven decision-making using integrated tools and assessments
- New momentum for discussions on strict protection measures
However, challenges persist—most notably, data gaps, limited stakeholder capacity, funding constraints, and misalignment between MSP and MPA processes. These hurdles highlight the need for ongoing support, policy alignment, and cross-sector collaboration.
Unlocking Opportunities and Next Steps
Many of the MSP4BIO solutions have clear potential for cross-border cooperation and policy uptake. For this to happen, it is crucial that national MSP and MPA authorities actively consider integrating the tested approaches into their frameworks.
To ensure broad impact, MSP4BIO is rolling out a comprehensive knowledge transfer campaign to equip key actors with the tools, insights, and confidence to act. The goal is to spark real change by supporting stakeholders in adopting and scaling successful strategies.
Up next: a cross-site analysis (Deliverable D5.4) will evaluate the scalability and transferability of the test site solutions and provide tailored recommendations for each European Sea Basin. These recommendations will map out opportunities, key challenges, and enabling conditions needed for successful implementation.
Want to dive deeper into the solutions?
👉 Download the full report here.
👉 Stay tuned and follow us on LinkedIn for more updates from MSP4BIO as we shape the future of marine spatial planning — where biodiversity and human activity go hand in hand.
