SIMCelt

Supporting Implementation of Maritime Spatial Planning in the Celtic Seas (SIMCelt) is a two-year project that aims to enhance cross-border cooperation between the Member States on the implementation of the Marine Spatial Planning Directive (MSP). MSP is broadly defined as a process by which . . . Member States authorities analyze and organize human activities in marine areas to achieve ecological, economic, and social objectives. Comprising a mix of governmental authorities and academic institutes, planners and researchers, from Ireland, France, and the UK, SIMCelt aims to develop a suite of practitioner focussed, ecosystem-based tools to assess the current and future spatial demands and collective environmental pressures, of traditional and emerging maritime sectors. Addressing effective strategic and jurisdictional barriers, SIMCelt also aims to enhance transnational co-operation on the management of collective pressures to ensure sustainable use of marine resources and support the development of individual national maritime spatial plans that are coherent across the entire Celtic Seas region.

Final – Signposting document

Transboundary Cooperation in the Celtic Seas – Reflections from the SIMCelt project. Final version March 2018, University of Liverpool. 

Initial Assessment: Developing an Overview

Overview Assessment: Summary Information on Marine Aspects of the Celtic Seas (D1), Final version February 2017, UCC.

Spatial demands and scenarios for maritime sectors and marine conservation

• Series of “Maritime Sector Briefing Notes” (D2) on Aquaculture; cables and pipelines; offshore wind; ports and shipping; and wave and tidal energy, Final version March 2018, Uni. of Liverpool.
• Overview Report on the Current State and Potential Future Spatial Requirements of Key Maritime Activities: comprised of three reports
• 3A: “Comparative Analysis of National Strategies for Marine Conservation in the Celtic Sea Region” Final version March 2018, AFB.
• 3B: “NEA MPA Database” report. Final version March 2018, AFB.
• 3C: “Overview Report on the Current State and Potential Future Spatial Requirements of Key Maritime Activities”. Final version March 2018, Uni. of Liverpool.

Data and Information requirements for MSP

• Analysis of Data Needs and Existing Data Gaps – Specifically Relating to Transboundary Working, Final version April 2017, Shom.
• Initial Activity to Address Data Needs (D6), Final version November 2016, Shom.
• Data Management Guidance Document (D7), Final version March 2018, Shom.

Stakeholder Engagement

Report on Potential Approaches for Stakeholder Engagement on MSP – Pilot Testing at Local Transboundary Scale (D9), Final version March 2018, Scottish Government.

Establish case Studies on Approaches to MSP Implementation

• CS#1: Issue Specific Analysis – Practice Focused and Policy Relevant – “Understanding specific cross border issues and opportunities: Offshore Renewable Energy and Shipping & Navigation” (D10) Final version December 2017, UCC.
• CS#2: Recommendations on Cumulative Effects Assessment Methodology (D11 – two reports, one Story Map, one video). Mapping risk of cumulative effects – Recommendations from the approach tested within French Celtic Sea waters (D11A) final version January 2018, AFB and Assessment of Cumulative Effects in Marine Spatial Planning: Irish Sea Pilot Project Methodology (D11B), final version March 2018, Marine Institute.
• CS#3: Case Study Report on Approaches to Cross-Border Cooperation Including Stakeholder Engagement Mechanisms (D12 – consisting of five reports)

o  D12.1: Initial comparison of requirements of, and differences between, primary UK legislation pertinent to marine planning. Final version March 2018. Scottish Government.

o  D12.2: References to marine and coastal planning within Local Development Plans relevant to the Solway Firth. Final version March 2018. Scottish Government.

o  D12.3: Report on Sectoral Interactions around the Solway Firth in relation to marine planning. Final version March 2018. Scottish Government.

o  D12.4: Particular cross border issues for the Solway Firth. Final version March 2018. Scottish Government.

o  D12.5: Options for the Solway Marine Region in terms of marine planning. Final version March 2018. Scottish Government.

• CS#4: Understanding and Applying Ecosystem Services to Transboundary MSP (D13 – Story Map)
• Overview Report on SIMCelt case studies (D16). Final version March 2018. UCC.

Development of Cooperation on MSP

Existing Mechanisms for Cooperation on MSP in the Celtic Seas (D14), Final version March 2018, UCC.

Evaluation of the MSP Process

Evaluation of the Maritime Spatial Planning Process (D15), Final version March 2018, University of Liverpool.

For items in bold  please contact Anne Marie O’Hagan – E: ei.ccu@nagaho.a