online conference
15 September 2021
lessons from the European Atlantic
for implementation of maritime spatial planning
in transboundary contexts
Conference resource centre
The SIMAtlantic conference took place on 15 September 2021. Its objective was to share learning and best practice from the SIMAtlantic project and elsewhere around Europe, to assist in shaping future cooperation and coherence in maritime spatial planning (MSP).
Sessions were aimed at a wide audience from researchers to policymakers, practitioners and stakeholders, while including everyone who shares an interest in maritime spatial planning, particularly the benefits and challenges of transboundary working. There were 150 participants from 24 different countries.
Session recordings
Programme
09.00–10.30 Session 1
Developing a vision for MSP in the European Atlantic region
Using the characteristics and current spatial uses of the European Atlantic region and relevant policy drivers as a basis, this session provides perspectives on developing a vision for MSP in the region.
Chair:
Anne Marie O’Hagan, MaREI Centre, University College Cork
Speakers and panellists:
Julien Dilasser, Cerema
Cristina Cervera Núñez, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO, CSIC)
Adriano Quintela, CESEAM, Universidade de Aveiro
Juan Ronco, DG MARE, European Commission
Patrycja Enet, North Sea Focal Point, European MSP Platform
11.00–12.30 Session 2A
Governance for transboundary MSP
Exploring practical ways of communicating between countries, especially on issues with environmental impact, and mechanisms for long-lasting cooperation in the European Atlantic.
Chair:
Martin Le Tissier, MaREI Centre, University College Cork
Speakers and panellists:
Anne Marie O’Hagan, MaREI Centre, University College Cork
Adele Boyd, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI)
Steve Fletcher, University of Portsmouth
Conor McCabe, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
11.00–12.30 Session 2B
Data sharing and stakeholder engagement
Considering questions of how transnational data sharing might support cross-border coherence of national maritime plans, how to effectively assess and spatially represent economic and social stakes, and how to deliver and explain complex maritime plans to enhance stakeholder ownership.
Chair:
Neil Alloncle, OFB
Speakers and panellists:
Adeline Souf, Shom
Julien Dilasser, Cerema
Amy Balding, Marine Management Organisation
Neal Gray, Marine Management Organisation
Sagraio Arrieta Algarra, Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico
Hervé Tréhein, Direction Interregional de la Mer Sud Atlantique
13.00–14.30 Session 3A
Beyond environmental assessment towards ecosystem-based MSP
Investigating the role of cumulative impacts in strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and how these elements can be applied to operationalise ecosystem-based management (EBM) in MSP, including transboundary considerations.
Chair:
Helena Calado, Universidade dos Açores
Speakers and panellists:
Marta Vergílio, Fundo Regional para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FRCT)
Mónica Campillos-Llanos, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO, CSIC)
María da Luz Fernandes, CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro
Adele Boyd, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI)
Adriano Quintela, CESAM, Universidade de Aveiro
13.00–14.30 Session 3B
Approaches to land-sea interactions in the European Atlantic and beyond
Examining different approaches to land-sea interactions and their suitability in addressing LSI risks and opportunities, using case studies from the European Atlantic and elsewhere, and taking into account aspects such as timescales, funding and resources.
Chair:
Emma McKinley, Cardiff University
Speakers and panellists:
Marina Markovic, United Nations Environment Programme PAP/RAC
Andrea Morf, Nordregio / Gothenburg University
Alice Guittard, ICRE8
Stephen Jay, University of Liverpool
Martina Bocci, t-ELIKA
15.00–16.30 Session 4
Achieving cooperation and coherence in European Atlantic MSP
Final messages from the SIMAtlantic project, perspectives on cooperation in the European Atlantic area and future work to be done on MSP.
Chair:
Ana Paula Simão, Direção-Geral de Recursos Naturais, Segurança e Serviços Marítimos (DGRM)
Speakers:
Tom Woolley, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
David Sanmiguel-Esteban, CINEA
Dymphna Keogh, Department of Foreign Affairs
Niccolò Bassan, Marine Planners / United Nations Environment Programme
Resources
Session recordings and other resources are available here. You can also visit our Padlet virtual venue, which provided a place for conference participants to share information.
Session 1: Developing a vision for MSP in the European Atlantic region
Session recording: https://youtu.be/vAB5iWVa5GU
List of speakers: Session details
Presentations:
- SIMAtlantic overview, Anne Marie O’Hagan
- Current and future uses and needs of the Atlantic region, Julien Dilasser and Cristina Cervera Núñez
- Atlantic Vision for MSP, Adriano Quintela
- A vision for maritime spatial planning in the Atlantic: the EU Commission’s perspective, Juan Ronco
- North Sea experiences in MSP implementation and transboundary contexts, Patrycja Enet
Other resources:
Session 2A: Governance for transboundary MSP
Session 2B: Data sharing and stakeholder engagement
Session 3A: Beyond environmental assessment towards ecosystem-based MSP
Session recording: https://youtu.be/i7b04kqQKAU
List of speakers: Session details
Presentations:
- MSP advances on the European Outermost Regions: Important of cooperation initiatives for ecosystem-based management, Marta Vergílio
- Introduction to the CEA and SEA topic, Mónica Campillos-Llanos
- Cross-border CEA for the north-western Iberian Peninsula: Methodology and lessons learned, María da Luz Fernandes
- CEA within Carlingford Lough, a transboundary sea lough, Adele Boyd
Other resources:
Session 3B: Approaches to land-sea interactions in the European Atlantic and beyond
Session 4: Achieving cooperation and coherence in European Atlantic MSP

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