Framework for Follow-up of Marine Spatial Plans

Summary

Sweden’s seas are facing major changes. New demands on marine resources are emerging, while the need to protect the marine environment and create long-term sustainable solutions is becoming increasingly urgent. Marine spatial plans are an important tool for balancing these interests and creating the conditions for sustainable development in our marine areas. To ensure that the plans remain relevant and serve as an effective support for future decisions, structured and regular monitoring is required.

This framework describes how the monitoring of Sweden’s maritime spatial plans is intended to be carried out. The purpose is to establish a common structure for tracking how the maritime spatial plans are used, what effects they have, and how the external environment changes over time. The monitoring process is intended to help keep the maritime spatial plans up to date, identify any environmental impacts early on, and ensure that new knowledge can be incorporated into future planning cycles.

The framework is based on two complementary components: ongoing monitoring and in-depth monitoring. Ongoing monitoring focuses on monitoring external developments, changing conditions, and how the marine spatial plans are used in planning and permitting processes. In-depth monitoring is conducted at longer intervals and aims to analyse the plans’ impacts, goal achievement, and significant environmental impacts, as well as to assess the need for revisions.

The monitoring process includes, among other things, tracking developments in the use of the sea, its environmental condition, climate impacts, governance, and the implementation of maritime spatial plans. The work also involves analysing social, economic, and environmental impacts, as well as how maritime spatial plans contribute to societal goals and sustainable development.

A key premise is that marine spatial planning is a long-term, learning-based process. The development of the marine environment is influenced by many factors simultaneously, ranging from climate change and technological advancements to international legislation and municipal planning. Therefore, the monitoring must be conducted in close collaboration between government agencies, county administrative boards, regions, municipalities, the research community, the business sector, and other relevant stakeholders. Collaboration and participation in the monitoring process are also expected to yield coordination benefits and provide knowledge and data valuable for municipal and regional planning as well as other forms of management.

The framework is intended to contribute to a more adaptive and knowledge-based marine spatial planning process, in which experience and new insights gradually strengthen the planning of Sweden’s marine areas. Clear and coordinated monitoring creates better conditions for the sustainable use of marine resources, the protection of marine environments, and long-term sustainable development for society as a whole.