Marine Spatial Planning cross-border cooperation in the ‘European Macaronesia Ocean’: A participatory approach

Abstract

Increasing interests in marine areas has led to conflicts, and planning of present and future uses is required to achieve sustainable management. Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) is dealt at a national level, but generally it includes ecological, physical processes and administrative jurisdictions of multiple countries. The transboundary cooperation on MSP is a complex challenge, that could be better addressed with a participatory process, to achieve coherent planning processes in shared marine socio-ecological systems. This paper focuses on the process followed to reach consensus on cross-border MSP in archipelagic remote regions with no visible and distant maritime borders. Among the results obtained is the design of a European Macaronesia (Canary Islands, Madeira & Azores) Ocean Pilot Program. This would allow to strengthen marine governance, create synergies between different MSP plans, and comply with EU regulations. A joint position of the European Macaronesia could also be an opportunity for maritime interests in national, European, and international forums. Both the participatory process and the results obtained can serve as a model for application in other transboundary marine areas of the world.