fundamentals
Ocean waters and coastal areas host complex ecosystems and support numerous human activities, both social and economic. The marine environment supports a multitude of commercial activities, like Shipping, Offshore Drilling, Military Activities, Subsea Fiber Optic Cables, Commercial Fishing, Aquaculture, and Renewable Energy. The coastal and ocean environment is host to numerous noncommercial activities as well, such as Recreation, Conservation Areas, Tribal Sustenance, Cultural Heritage Sites, and National Parks. With the rising demands on our oceans and coasts, effectively balancing competing uses is critical to maintaining these resources.
Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning (CMSP) provides a framework for determining how the oceans and coasts can be managed to support the many, often competing uses in a sustainable manner. Essentially, CMSP involves identifying the various ocean and coastal activities in a particular area and considering how they can be managed in a way that maximizes economic and social benefits, while maintaining the health of the environment on which these activities depend. Oftentimes, this involves mapping marine activities and resources- both spatially and temporally- to evaluate existing activities and anticipate future uses. This analysis can then be used to develop a plan for effectively managing our ocean and coastal resources.