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The international legal framework for marine spatial planning
Maes, F. (2008). The international legal framework for marine spatial planning. Mar. Policy 32(5): 797-810. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2008.03.013
In: Marine Policy. Elsevier: UK. ISSN 0308-597X; e-ISSN 1872-9460, more
Also appears in:
Douvere, F.; Ehler, C. (Ed.) (2008). The role of marine spatial planning in implementing ecosystem-based, sea use management. Marine Policy, 32(Spec. Issue 5). Elsevier: London. 759-843 pp., more
Peer reviewed article  

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Keywords
    Biodiversity
    Conservation > Nature conservation
    Environments > Aquatic environment > Marine environment
    European Community
    Exploitation
    International law
    International law > Law of the sea
    Management > Ecosystem management
    Protection > Environmental protection
    Marine/Coastal
Author keywords
    marine spatial planning; Law of the Sea; convention on biological diversity; European community; ecosystem-based management

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Abstract
    Increasing demand for ocean resources, both living and non-living, have already lead to loss of biodiversity, habitat depletion and irreversible damage to the marine environment. Furthermore, introduction of new kinds of sea uses, spatial extension of ongoing sea uses and the need to better protect and conserve the marine biological diversity will result in increasing conflicts among the various users, as well as between the users and the environment. Marine spatial planning as a process to allocate space for specific uses can help to avoid user conflicts, to improve the management of marine spatial claims, and to sustain an ecosystem-based management of ocean and seas. This article explores the rights and duties towards exploitation and protection of the marine environment under the jurisdiction of coastal states as reflected in two important global conventions, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Convention on Biological Diversity. Both Conventions provide the main legal framework for marine spatial planning that have to be taken into account in planning at the regional and national level.

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