D2.6 Guidelines on how to consider ML pollution and remediation in marine spatial planning
Creators: name: Bocci, Martina
name: Poletto, Davide
name: Antunes, Sara
name: Iglesias, Isabel
name: Vieira, Luis
name: Kett, Gary
name: Nogueira, Sandra
name: Sousa Pinto, Isabel
name: Mira Veiga, Joana
name: MOSCHINO, VANESSA
name: Madricardo, Fantina
Publisher: name: MAELSTROM Project
Year: 2023

description: The MAELSTROM project aims to test and evaluate innovative technologies for the removal of marine litter in different coastal environments, also assessing their impact on the ecosystems in chosen demo sites and evaluating the economic and societal benefits of the MAELSTROM solutions within local economies. Treatments of the plastic litter for their recovery within a circular economy concept are also foreseen. The purpose of this deliverable is to provide an overview on marine litter (ML) management relevant concepts for marine and coastal planners, managers and decision makers. The concepts of ML sources and impacts are illustrated, together with key elements regarding ML management, from pollution prevention, monitoring and remediation. An overview is provided on if and how ML topic is considered in the plans developed by European countries under the Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) Directive (overview based on some example countries only). MSP plans, even if they do not address ML directly, recognize it as a critical anthropogenic pressure and maritime activities (fisheries, shipping, etc) as important sources of ML too. Some MSP plans address specifically the need to contribute to ML pollution prevention by including objectives and measures targeting maritime sectors and activities. A growing need for integration between MSFD and MSPD can be recognized, as well as a stronger linkage between WFD and MSFD too, with particular regard to the topic of ML pollution. Suggestions are provided to marine planners and practitioners for possible actions from their side (across the entire planning process) to contribute to strengthen these interlinkages and help tackle marine litter pollution.Key recommendations include analysing existing conditions by incorporating ML data from sources like the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) monitoring, engaging in dialogue with relevant institutions and stakeholders, and capitalising on studies addressing ML spatial distribution. Emphasis should be focused on understanding the role of maritime and coastal activities as ML sources, identifying high-impact areas, and including ML pollution in land-sea-interaction analysis under MSP. These measures collectively enhance the integration of ML pollution concerns into comprehensive marine management strategies. The planned development should encompass the identification of objectives and a combination of spatial and non-spatial measures, with a specific focus on preventing ML pollution from maritime sectors. Synergies with ML pollution measures outlined in the Program of Measures (PoM) under the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) should be enhanced. InD2.6 Guidelines on how to consider ML pollution and remediation in marine spatial planning6the presence of knowledge gaps, enhanced efforts should be proactively included in plans, like provisions for monitoring and studies addressing ML pollution sources and impacts associated with maritime activities. This would ensure a robust and well-informed approach to addressing ML pollution in the maritime domain.Multiple sectoral stakeholder engagement is crucial in supporting all MSP stages, contributing to understanding the economic impacts of ML pollution on maritime sectors. These initiatives also include coordinating with mainland actors to address ML sources, promoting sector participation in citizen science, and encouraging educational initiatives. The dialogue shall also emphasise ML prevention options and prioritise remediation of ML hotspots impacting maritime activities. This comprehensive approach is critical to ensure informed decision-making across all MSP stages.