Multi-use of the sea: A wide array of opportunities from site-specific cases across Europe

Abstract

The concept of multi-use of the sea has gained popularity in recent years as a result of ocean space (coastal areas and regions with relatively small sea space in particular) becoming increasingly crowded due to the development of the maritime economy. Competing claims for space can be a source of conflict, however this may also lead to mutual benefits for different users when sustainable combinations are sought. Despite increasing European-wide efforts, on-the-ground knowledge and practice of multi-use are still limited. Therefore, with the aim of investigating opportunities for multi-use development in the European seas, 10 case studies were selected, involving different site-specific contexts. This study analyses the characteristics and development potential for ocean multi-use, integrating results from desk analysis and stakeholder perceptions from different sectors in each of the case study locations. Similarities and differences between various combinations of sea uses are also identified. The results show a high heterogeneity of multi-use opportunities between case studies, with a range of combinations identified. The investigated combinations of maritime uses share an overall balance between factors promoting (drivers) and hindering (barriers) multi-use development. Based on stakeholder opinions, expected benefits (added values) of multi-use implementation outweigh potential negative impacts. Management actions are also proposed to further exploit multi-use potential at a local, regional (sub-national) and national levels.

Dissecting the offshore wind and mariculture multi-use discourse: a new approach using targeted SWOT analysis

“…This analysis follows the methodological framework depicted in Fig. 1 and is loosely adapted from the MUSES (Multi-Use in European Seas) project methodology presented in Bocci et al (2019). While the MUSES project employed a DABI (drivers, added value, barriers, impacts) approach to analyse potentials, this analysis focusses on the SWOT methodology.…”

“…However, this apparent dichotomy can at least partially be explained by the mismatch of research efforts which have been devoted to the investigation of either side. Discussions of the multi-use of OWFs and mariculture have long since focussed on biological and technological practicability as well as economic feasibility and stakeholder perceptions (Buck and Langan 2017;Bocci et al 2019).…”

“…2015;ICSU 2017). Towards this end, multi-use of ocean space has emerged as a new spatial use concept to further the development of future ocean industries such as mariculture, marine renewables and eco-tourism (Buck et al 2008;Bocci et al 2019;Schupp et al 2019).…”

“…(5) Fine tune recommendations with input from the same group of key stakeholders. Adapted and modified fromBocci et al (2019)…”

Is Demonstrating the Concept of Multi-Use Too Soon for the North Sea? Barriers and Opportunities from a Stakeholder Perspective

“…Hard MUs, mostly in the north, require medium-long term installation of major industrial and engineering infrastructures (e.g., platforms for offshore wind energy production or oil and gas extraction). In contrast, Soft MUs, mostly in the south, involved fleeting use and as such do not demand large infrastructures (e.g., small-scale fisheries, recreation and tourism) (Bocci et al 2019). MU application in the NS was led by renewable energy and aquaculture, reflecting favourable resource availability (Kalogeri et al 2017), site bathymetry and conditions, and the influence of technology, policy and regulations at EU, national and local levels.…”