Aquaculture in Maritime Spatial Planning Frameworks and Its Contribution to Global Food Security

Abstract

Increase in aquaculture toward realizing the potential of the ocean as a key food provider requires comprehensive and proactive management approaches to mitigate impacts on coastal areas and to secure space for sustainable aquaculture development in both inshore and offshore areas. Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) and Marine Functional Zoning (MFZ) are policy instruments employed in the management and regulation of multiple human activities to balance social, economic, and environmental objectives. This work reviews the processes and stages of aquaculture integration into these marine spatial planning frameworks (MSP and MFZ) in major producers, China, the EU, Norway, and Canada. Implementation of aquaculture in the spatial planning frameworks varies widely, partly because the nations reviewed are at different stages of aquaculture development, and partly due to the heterogeneity of institutions, traditions, social acceptance, marine space, and governance. The common challenge of aquaculture impacts and interactions with the environment contribute to the complexity of regulating space for mariculture development. The apparent weak and in some cases receding position of aquaculture in the maritime spatial planning frameworks reviewed here warrants considerable concern with respect to expectations of marine aquaculture as a route for ensuring future seafood provision. There is a need to strengthen the position of aquaculture in marine spatial planning frameworks, particularly when considering its expansion in areas with potential for development. It is recommended that the global scientific, management, and regulatory communities work together with local actors to develop and provide accessible tools that will address sustainability challenges ahead.

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