Applying marine spatial planning to challenges in areas beyond national jurisdiction: insights from the Southwest Atlantic

Effective governance of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (ABNJ) remains a central challenge, driven by fragmented legal frameworks and complex social-ecological interactions. This study advances the application of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) in ABNJ by analyzing a social-ecological system located adjacent to Argentina’s Exclusive Economic Zone. The study´s objectives are to characterize key human activities, pressures, and ecosystem services; analyze multi-dimensional conflicts and their implications for governance; and introduce a conceptual three-dimentional (3D) MSP tool for vertical overlaps within the SES. Using social-ecological network analysis combined with expert-informed assessments, we identified key system hotspots, including commercial fishing and conservation priorities, as well as pressures such as overfishing and pollution. Conceptual 3D visualizations are used to illustrate vertical overlaps, supporting early-stage diagnostics and management planning. Overall, the study demonstrates practical pathways for MSP in ABNJ, highlighting the need for coordinated governance, prioritization of critical hotspots, and adaptive ecosystem-based management under complex social-ecological and legal conditions.