Clear and strategic spatial planning direction from the Government is necessary to guide decision-making, minimise conflicts, and ensure that marine space is allocated in a way that supports both environmental recovery and sustainable economic development. The Government’s proposed Marine Spatial Prioritisation Programme has the potential to deliver this. However, the Committee is concerned that there is confusion or obfuscation about when and how this Programme will be delivered. (Conclusion...

Clear and strategic spatial planning direction from the Government is necessary to guide decision-making, minimise conflicts, and ensure that marine space is allocated in a way that supports both environmental recovery and sustainable economic development. The Government’s proposed Marine Spatial Prioritisation Programme has the potential to deliver this. However, the Committee is concerned that there is confusion or obfuscation about when and how this Programme will be delivered. (Conclusion, Paragraph 37) Type: conclusion | Number: 8 | Response status: not_addressed Government response: The MSPri programme supports the goal of achieving “clean, healthy, safe, productive and biologically diverse oceans and seas” and does so through developing a more strategic approach to the use of sea space. Key consideration is given to the needs of different marine sectors and nature recovery. De