Combining nature conservation with maritime spatial planning in Northern Europe

Strengthening the protection of marine ecosystems requires approaches that address multiple sectors and operate across spatial scales. Maritime or Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) can complement traditional conservation measures by providing a broad, cross-sectoral framework that supports the integrated management of human activities in marine environments. This paper examines MSP practices in Northern European countries to assess the degree to which nature conservation objectives are integrated into MSP and the processes that enable such integration. Data were collected through a survey of national approaches, followed by a workshop designed to generate additional insights on improving collaboration between MSP and nature conservation authorities. Findings indicate that MSP contributes to marine conservation planning, but its potential remains underutilized. Administrative responsibilities for spatial planning, nature conservation and sectoral management are often fragmented and, in some cases, poorly coordinated, underscoring the need for stronger policy integration and governance mechanisms.