University College Cork
MaREI Centre for Marine and Renewable Energy
Transboundary cooperation is viewed as an essential element of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP). While much of the MSP literature focuses on the need for, and benefits of, transboundary MSP, this paper explores the political and... more
Transboundary cooperation is viewed as an essential element of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP). While much of the MSP literature focuses on the need for, and benefits of, transboundary MSP, this paper explores the political and institutional factors that may facilitate the effective transition to such an approach. Drawing on transboundary planning theory and practice, key contextual factors that are likely to expedite the transition to transboundary MSP are reviewed. These include: policy convergence in neighbouring jurisdictions; prior experience of transboundary planning; and good working relations amongst key actors. Based on this review, an assessment of the conditions for transboundary MSP in the adjoining waters of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is on the island of Ireland, including, the need to address the role of formal transboundary institutions and the lack of an agreed legal maritime boundary. The paper concludes with some commentary on the political realities of implementing transboundary MSP.
Transboundary cooperation is viewed as an essential element of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP). While much of the MSP literature focuses on the need for, and benefits of, transboundary MSP, this paper explores the political and... more
Transboundary cooperation is viewed as an essential element of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP). While much of the MSP literature focuses on the need for, and benefits of, transboundary MSP, this paper explores the political and institutional factors that may facilitate the effective transition to such an approach. Drawing on transboundary planning theory and practice, key contextual factors that are likely to expedite the transition to transboundary MSP are reviewed. These include: policy convergence in neighbouring jurisdictions; prior experience of transboundary planning; and good working relations 2 amongst key actors. Based on this review, an assessment of the conditions for transboundary MSP in the adjoining waters of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland is undertaken. A number of recommendations are then advanced for transboundary MSP on the island of Ireland, including, the need to address the role of formal transboundary institutions and the lack of an agreed legal maritime boundary. The paper concludes with some commentary on the political realities of implementing transboundary MSP.
There is broad agreement that marine spatial planning (MSP) should incorporate transboundary considerations , reflecting the cross-border nature of marine and coastal ecosystem dynamics and maritime resources and activities. This is... more
There is broad agreement that marine spatial planning (MSP) should incorporate transboundary considerations , reflecting the cross-border nature of marine and coastal ecosystem dynamics and maritime resources and activities. This is recognised in the European Union's recent legislation on MSP, and experience in transboundary approaches is developing through official processes and pilot studies. However , differences between institutional systems, priorities and practices may not easily be overcome in transboundary initiatives. This requires a stronger focus on understanding the governance frameworks within which MSP operates and fostering interlinkages between them. This article discusses a European-funded project in which emphasis was placed on joint-working in every aspect, based on principles of equity and mutual trust. This led to the development of interrelations , not just of the geographies and maritime resources and activities of the marine areas concerned, but also of the systems of data management , governance and policy-making and of the participants involved as officials or stakeholders, including their means and cultures of exchange. It is suggested that transboundary initiatives in MSP would benefit by complementing current resource management-focused understandings with govern-ance and policy-related perspectives, drawing on experience in other fields of territorial cooperation. Crown
This report was commissioned by the Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) in Ireland to assess the potential contribution of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) implementation in meeting the objectives of the Water Framework and Marine... more
This report was commissioned by the Sustainable Water Network (SWAN) in Ireland to assess the potential contribution of Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) implementation in meeting the objectives of the Water Framework and Marine Strategy Framework Directives which are legally binding instruments for the conservation, protection and management of catchment, coastal and marine waters within the European Union. ICZM is a process that seeks to bring together all parties with an interest in the coast, with a view to replacing sectoral based planning and management with a more integrated approach to achieving sustainability; ICZM is underpinned by a set of principles that espouse stakeholder participation, knowledge exchange, and the need to take a holistic and long-term view. The intention of the Water Framework Directive and Marine Strategy Framework Directive is to achieve good ecological / environmental status for aquatic environments within established timeframes. Ireland, as...
- by Sarah Twomey and +2
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PISCES (Partnerships Involving Stakeholders in the Celtic Sea Ecosystem) brought together stakeholders from the Celtic Sea to develop this practical guide on implementing the ecosystem approach in the context of the European Union (EU)... more
PISCES (Partnerships Involving Stakeholders in the Celtic Sea Ecosystem) brought together stakeholders from the Celtic Sea to develop this practical guide on implementing the ecosystem approach in the context of the European Union (EU) Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Co-funded by LIFE+, the project ran from 2009 to 2012. It was led by WWF-UK in partnership with WWF-Spain and The Environment Council, with country technical support from the Coastal and Marine Research Centre in Ireland and SeaWeb in France. Located in the north-east Atlantic Ocean, the Celtic Sea has a long maritime heritage and supports many economically significant industries and activities. It is an extraordinarily productive sea, hosting varied habitats and a wealth of biodiversity (including many commercially important species). However, the growing demand for finite marine space and resources is causing increasing conflict between stakeholders, and threatening the health of marine environment on whic...
- by Sarah Twomey and +1
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The value of stakeholder participation in marine planning has been well documented, and many commentators have acknowledged the essential nature of getting this element of planning practice correct. Different jurisdictions have different... more
The value of stakeholder participation in marine planning has been well documented, and many commentators have acknowledged the essential nature of getting this element of planning practice correct. Different jurisdictions have different approaches to stakeholder engagement and this has to be given consideration when bringing stakeholders into a process that spans a marine region such as the European Atlantic. Ultimately, there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach for stakeholder participation in transboundary MSP. Each situation (or plan) must be assessed in order to clearly determine the ‘who, when and how to involve stakeholders’ throughout the planning process.
- by Sarah Twomey and +1
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Europe's seas offer unparalleled opportunities for sustainable use, both for traditional and emerging maritime sectors. Blue growth is contingent on ecosystem health, and activities need to be carefully planned in relation to each... more
Europe's seas offer unparalleled opportunities for sustainable use, both for traditional and emerging maritime sectors. Blue growth is contingent on ecosystem health, and activities need to be carefully planned in relation to each other and the surrounding environment. Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) is recognised as a key mechanism for achieving these goals. However, MSP requires coordination across marine and coastal jurisdictions, to take account of the interests and dynamics of neighbouring areas. The Transboundary Planning in the European Atlantic (TPEA) project, co-funded by DG Mare, is developing a commonly-agreed approach to cross-border MSP in the European Atlantic region. TPEA involves ten governmental organisations and research partners from Ireland, Portugal, Spain and the UK, a team of expert advisors are also actively involved. The project is carrying out cross-border planning exercises in two pilot sites, one in the north of the region (within the waters of the Ir...
- by Sarah Twomey and +1
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The Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) is a globally coordinated network of observing systems for climate, and is designed to support national and international requirements for global observations. The GCOS Implementation Plan is a... more
The Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) is a globally coordinated network of observing systems for climate, and is designed to support national and international requirements for global observations. The GCOS Implementation Plan is a key document describing what actions Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) should undertake in order to ensure a comprehensive climate observation system is in place. This report provides a comparative assessment of approaches taken to addressing the state of European climate observations systems and related data analysis by five selected European countries. It reports on approaches to climate observations and analyses in Ireland, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands and Austria, and explores options for a more coordinated approach to national responses to climate observations in Europe. The preliminary findings indicate that: • Climate monitoring must be a long-term uninterrupted activity. Many of the countri...
- by Sarah Twomey
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There is broad agreement that marine spatial planning (MSP) should incorporate transboundary considerations , reflecting the cross-border nature of marine and coastal ecosystem dynamics and maritime resources and activities. This is... more
There is broad agreement that marine spatial planning (MSP) should incorporate transboundary considerations , reflecting the cross-border nature of marine and coastal ecosystem dynamics and maritime resources and activities. This is recognised in the European Union's recent legislation on MSP, and experience in transboundary approaches is developing through official processes and pilot studies. However , differences between institutional systems, priorities and practices may not easily be overcome in transboundary initiatives. This requires a stronger focus on understanding the governance frameworks within which MSP operates and fostering interlinkages between them. This article discusses a European-funded project in which emphasis was placed on joint-working in every aspect, based on principles of equity and mutual trust. This led to the development of interrelations , not just of the geographies and maritime resources and activities of the marine areas concerned, but also of the systems of data management , governance and policy-making and of the participants involved as officials or stakeholders, including their means and cultures of exchange. It is suggested that transboundary initiatives in MSP would benefit by complementing current resource management-focused understandings with govern-ance and policy-related perspectives, drawing on experience in other fields of territorial cooperation. Crown
- by Jorge M S Gonçalves and +4
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Regional seas and shared marine waters present challenges in terms of management. Typically, these environments are bordered by numerous maritime jurisdictions, accommodate multiple sectors and activities, and are subject to differing... more
Regional seas and shared marine waters present challenges in terms of management. Typically, these environments are bordered by numerous maritime jurisdictions, accommodate multiple sectors and activities, and are subject to differing governance arrangements. Governance sets the stage within which management occurs and effective governance is key to dealing with conflict and escalating pressures on the marine environment. Actions taken by one country can negatively influence the quality and availability of environmental resources in neighbouring jurisdictions. Transboundary, or cross-border, cooperation is a fundamental governance consideration. This research demonstrates that conflicts arising from complex socio-political transboundary marine ecosystems pose insights to a level of uncertainty in governance, that seldom align with conceptual frameworks for best practice. It adopts a case-study approach for engagement with a range of stakeholders in NorthWest Europe and South Asia (i.e. Lough Foyle, Ireland and Northern Ireland/United Kingdom; Palk Bay, India and Sri Lanka) and employs a qualitative, meta-analytical framework and timeline mapping technique. This enables an holistic, balanced and analytical synthesis of diverse sectoral conflicts involving disputed and contested maritime boundaries from two cross-border bays in ex armed-conflict zones. This toolkit can be deployed to inform the governance of transboundary marine ecosystems in other conflict settings going forward. Policy recommendations and future governance options are sensitive to the wider post-colonial historical context and current geo-political realities. Figure 1: Conceptual framework for meta-analysis and production of future governance options for conflicts arising from complex socio-political transboundary marine ecosystems.
Brexit poses major institutional and governance challenges for the island of Ireland, not least in the area of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and the cooperative governance and integrated management of shared marine spaces and ecosystems.... more
Brexit poses major institutional and governance challenges for the island of Ireland, not least in the area of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and the cooperative governance and integrated management of shared marine spaces and ecosystems. To date, MSP scholarship has not delved into the complex processes that construct marine borders and has failed to acknowledge how the same border may have different boundary qualities across a range of institutional contexts. Using the case of transboundary marine governance on the island of Ireland, we evaluate recent marine governance innovations in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) and Northern Ireland (NI) to assess if they promote integration. We then illustrate how the boundary characteristics of marine borders are context dependent, with the same border being both hard and soft in differing contexts, and we discuss how this may be impacted by Brexit. We argue that the development of integrated marine management is not a priority in these jurisdictions and that the resulting complex, multiple constructions of marine borders has largely been ignored by MSP researchers. 1 We conclude that developing a more nuanced understanding of borders in order to advance integrated marine management is crucial for post-Brexit MSP planning practice and research.