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MARINE
SPATIAL PLANNING

We are planning for the future of the Maldives and we need your help!

Noo Raajje is developing a Marine Spatial Plan to sustainably manage the Maldivian ocean so that it will flourish for future generations. By taking a holistic approach to ocean management and stewardship, we can build a brighter future for the Maldivian economy, community and environment.

 

Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) is a public participatory process that uses the best available information about the natural environment and human activities (such as fishing, tourism, shipping, renewable energy, aquaculture, and infrastructure) to plan for future use and conservation of ocean space.

 

The Maldives Marine Spatial Plan is being planned in two phases:

  1. Offshore Marine Spatial Plan: 12-200 nautical miles from the coastline

  2. Coastal Marine Spatial Plan: 0-12 nautical miles from the coastline

 

The Draft Offshore Marine Spatial Plan is available for public comment from now through April XX. Follow Noo Raajje on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to keep up with program updates.

 

Jump to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

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DRAFT

WHAT WILL
BE PROTECTED?

Habitats rich in biodiversity:

  • Seamounts

  • Knolls

  • Abyssal Plains

  • Depth Zones

  • Basins

  • Canyons

  • Escarpments

  • Ridges

  • Troughs

  • Plateaus

Species important to the ocean ecosystem:

  • Cold water corals

  • Antipatharia corals

  • Octocorals

MARINE SPATIAL PLANNING

is a public participatory process to determine the best uses of ocean space. ​

The result is a map-based Marine Spatial Plan. Countries use their plans to designate what activities are allowed in each ocean space, what areas should be protected, and what implementation measures are needed to achieve their goals. 

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MARINE SPATIAL PLAN
BENEFITS

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Achieves local goals for economic growth and marine protection

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Improves fishing and livelihoods

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Healthier marine environments and increased resilience to climate change

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Creates more opportunities for future generations

Locally led, participatory, and based on best available science and information

Reduces ocean user conflict

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Marine Spatial Planning is driven by community and stakeholder input throughout the process.

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MSP
PROCESS & DEVELOPMENT

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SCIENTIFIC & POLICY ASSESSMENTS

  • Coral Reef Assessment executed (2020-2021)

  • Habitat mapping (2020-2021)

  • Legal & Policy Framework Assessment completed (2021)
     

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STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

  • Virtual public launch held (2020)

  • Ocean Use Survey completed (June 2022)

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MARINE SPATIAL PLAN DEVELOPMENT

  • Program Governance Committee  and MSP Subcommittee convened (2020-2021)

  • Principles, Goals, Objectives for Offshore​ MSP developed and approved 

  • Zone typologies will be developed and approved

  • Draft MSP will be developed, approved and circulated for public consultations

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MARINE SPATIAL PLAN ADOPTION

  • Final MSP will be endorsed by Cabinet 

  • MSP bill ratified and signed into law by President

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IMPLEMENTATION & MONITORING

  • Management and implementation plans development

  • Awareness campaign

  • Administrative systems development

  • Monitoring and enforcement

WHAT INFORMATION
GOES INTO A MARINE SPATIAL PLAN?

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Data and Gathering Analysis

Plan Development

Implementation and Enforcement

Monitoring and Review

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WHO'S
INVOLVED

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Government of Maldives

The MSP Working Group is co-chaired by representatives from:

  • Ministry of Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture

  • Ministry of National Planning, Housing and Infrastructure

  • Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology

  • Environmental Protection Agency

 

Additional government stakeholders involved in providing data and input throughout various stages of the MSP planning process include: 

  • The President’s Office

  • The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Coast Guard and Hydrography

  • Communications Authority of Maldives (CAM)

  • Ministry of Transport

  • Ministry of Tourism

  • Attorney General’s Office (AGO)

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Blue Prosperity Coalition

The Blue Prosperity Coalition is a global network of NGOs, academic institutions, foundations, and other organizations working together to assist committed governments in developing and implementing sustainable Marine Spatial Plans to protect the environment and improve the economy at the same time.

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Stakeholders

Noo Raajje has been engaging with stakeholders 

  • Noo Raajje Steering Committee (link to list)

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SeaSketch

SeaSketch is a digital mapping tool developed by the creative people in the McClintock Lab at the Marine Science Institute at the University of California Santa Barbara.

FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS

Insert FAQ here.

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100+ countries around the globe are using MSP to manage their ocean economies.

LINKS &
RESOURCES

MSP Around the Globe - UNESCO Marine Spatial Planning Programme

​

Designating Marine Spatial Planning for Implementation: A Guide for Legal Drafters - May 2020

​

Draft Offshore MSP - Gazetted doc

Offshore MSP Feedback Form

Link to narrated presentation on draft MSP for public (English and Dhivehi)

Link to narrated OUS explanation presentation?

Link to narrated NR program overview and why MSP presentation used in phase 1 engagement

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