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National Business Forum on Marine Spatial Planning in U.S.

Published Apr 29, 2011 2:21 PM by The Maritime Executive

 

World Ocean Council conference to advance industry action on ocean management

The World Ocean Council (WOC) will convene ocean industries on 13-14 July in Washington D.C. to foster and facilitate business involvement in the coastal and marine spatial planning (CMSP) process underway in the U.S.

The U.S. has established a National Ocean Council (NOC) that will be implementing CMSP through a series of nine regional programs. The NOC will be holding a National Workshop for government agencies to develop the government’s CMSP Strategic Action Plan in late June.

A coordinated, multi-sectoral process to ensure the ocean business community is well- informed and constructively engaged in U.S. CMSP efforts is essential to CMSP being able to support the sustainable use of marine space and resources by responsible industry operators.

The National Business Forum on CMSP will address this and will:

  • Create a clear understanding of CMSP in the ocean business community
  • Define and examine the potential business impacts and benefits of CMSP
  • Ensure the business community is fully informed of the specific U.S. CMSP process and plans
  • Develop a WOC Action Plan for engaging CMSP and facilitating/coordinating business involvement in CMSP as it develops in the U.S.

CMSP is defined by the Task Force as “a comprehensive, adaptive, integrated, and transparent spatial planning process, based on sound science, for analyzing current and anticipated uses of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes areas. CMSP identifies areas most suitable for various types or classes of activities in order to reduce conflicts among uses, reduce environmental impacts, facilitate compatible uses, and preserve critical ecosystem services to meet economic, environmental, security, and social objectives”. CMSP seeks to move sea use planning “away from the current sector-by-sector, statute by statute approach” according to the Task Force information.

Ocean industries are encouraged to participate in the National Forum. Information and registration for the event can be found by clicking the following link: WOC National Business Forum on MSP.

The National Forum is being organized by the WOC in partnership with Battelle Memorial Institute, which became a WOC Founding Member in 2010.

Marine spatial planning (MSP) is a priority for WOC Members. A WOC Working Group on MSP has been formed to explore the WOC role in catalyzing cross-sectoral industry leadership and collaboration on MSP as it develops in the U.S., Europe, Australia and elsewhere.

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About the World Ocean Council (WOC)
The WOC is the only international, cross-sectoral alliance for private sector leadership and collaboration in “Corporate Ocean Responsibility”. Companies and associations worldwide are distinguishing themselves as leaders in ocean sustainability and stewardship by joining the WOC. Members to date include over 32 leadership organizations from a wide range of ocean industries: oil and gas, shipping, seafood, tourism, ocean technology, maritime law, marine environmental services and other areas.