In this ninth episode of the Ocean Governance Podcast, we use a recent text of our own, published within the Pan Baltic Scope project, as a point of departure to discuss the meaning and utility of the ecosystem approach in the context of marine spatial planning (MSP). The publication synthesizes research publications and relevant policy documents with the aim of establishing a ‘state of the art’ for operationalization of the ecosystem approach in MSP. This is done as a basis for an assessment of the “Guideline for the implementation of ecosystem-based approach in Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) in the Baltic Sea area” adopted/approved in 2016 by VASAB (‘Vision and Strategies around the Baltic Sea’) and HELCOM (the Helsinki Commission). The publication was commissioned by the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management, as part of the agency’s participation in the regional MSP collaboration within the Pan Baltic Scope project.

We use the publication to reflect on the nature and usefulness of the ecosystem approach (or approaches) in relation to MSP. In doing this, we are greatly aided by a number of planners working with MSP who were interviewed at the Maritime Spatial Planning Forum: Global Meets Regional, which took place on 19-21 November 2019 in Riga. With their help, we address issues such as what do we actually mean by ecosystem approach?; does it have practical relevance for MSP?; and what is the place of social knowledge in applying an ecosystem approach?

The publication discussed in this episode is:

D. Langlet, and A. Westholm, Synthesis Report on the Ecosystem Approach to Maritime Spatial Planning (Pan Baltic Scope 2019)

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We hope that you will enjoy listening!