The actual number of references to the EGD in MSP plans is limited, presently. This is likely explained by the fact that numerous MS developed their plans before the EGD was in place. However, the interdisciplinarity nature of MSP involves interactions with a number of different policies, legislations, strategies and stakeholders. In this sense, the EGD, and specifically the agenda expressed in the Communication on a new approach for a Sustainable Blue Economy in the EU, are expected to have a great impact on the implementing actions of the maritime spatial plans in next years.
As acknowledged in the EU Mission Starfish 2030 “Restore our Ocean and Waters”, the main challenge in the decade to come will be to build on scientific knowledge to advance the sustainability of marine and maritime
activities, feeding and involving in an integrated way a number of different categories of policies – environmental protection, sustainable food production, decarbonization, circular economy, landscape and cultural heritage protection, etc.
There is an overarching and urgent need, to operationalise EGD objectives, in order to reinforce coherence between the different directives and to clarify priorities, to solve tensions among conflicting objectives.
