The Mediterranean Sea is one of the most heavily used marine regions in the world, with shipping, fishing, tourism, energy, and conservation all competing for limited space. Simultaneously, the region faces increasing environmental pressure, with ecosystems under strain from both human activity and climate change. With so many competing pressures, governments are finding it harder to balance economic needs with protecting the environment.

In this context, Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) has become an important tool for governments to coordinate the use of marine space. It allows countries to set clear priorities for how maritime activities, such as shipping, aquaculture, energy development, or marine conservation, can coexist in shared marine areas. MSP helps reduce conflicts between competing uses, such as between fishing zones and offshore infrastructure, and supports long-term environmental and economic sustainability.

In the Mediterranean, however, the application of MSP remains limited. This is largely due to gaps in environmental and spatial data, poor coordination across borders, and limited involvement from sectors such as tourism, fisheries, and maritime transport.

To help address these challenges, the MEDSEAPLAN project was launched in 2024. This three-year initiative aims to support the development of more practical and coordinated MSP processes, particularly in parts of the Mediterranean where planning is still in the early stages. The project is led by the World Ocean Council in the Netherlands and brings together 16 partners from eight countries: France, Turkey, Spain, Malta, Italy, Cyprus, the Netherlands, and Germany. Malta is represented by the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST).

MEDSEAPLAN focuses on strengthening the data systems, tools, and stakeholder processes that underpin effective MSP. This includes improving how data is collected, processed, and used to support decisions on how maritime space is allocated to different sectors. The project is testing a range of approaches, such as the deployment of monitoring instruments on industry vessels, the piloting of a floating data buoy, and the creation of a digital twin for selected marine areas. The goal is to provide accurate, real-time data that helps decision-makers balance environmental and economic needs.

The project also aims to improve stakeholder involvement to ensure that the perspectives of marine users, including local communities, maritime businesses, and environmental groups, are reflected in the planning process. The project also aims to enhance ocean literacy through targeted training on MSP and sustainable marine management.

This kind of support is timely for Malta, where a national MSP framework exists but continues to evolve. The Strategic Plan for Environment and Development (SPED), adopted in 2015, serves as Malta’s official maritime spatial plan. Its status was formalised through the Maritime Spatial Planning Regulations of 2016. These regulations transposed the EU MSP Directive into national law and designated the SPED as the country’s MSP framework. The SPED covers both land and sea, meaning that MSP objectives in Malta are not treated in isolation but as part of a broader strategy for the sustainable spatial management of national resources.

The SPED outlines high-level objectives for land and sea use across environmental, social, and economic sectors. Covering marine waters up to 25 nautical miles, the SPED sets out strategic

objectives for maritime use. However, it provides limited spatial detail for specific activities, highlighting the need for more practical planning tools.

The Planning Authority (PA) is Malta’s competent authority for MSP and is responsible for implementing the MSP framework, primarily through subsidiary plans and development permits up to 12 nautical miles. It also chairs the MSP Technical Committee, which brings together key national authorities, including the Fisheries Directorate, Continental Shelf Department, Transport Malta, and others, to improve coordination. For areas beyond 12 nautical miles, or for activities not classified as development, responsibility shifts to other regulators. These include the Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, the Continental Shelf Department, and the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage.

In late 2020, the government initiated a revision of the SPED. This update will result in a new National Spatial Strategy, intended to replace the SPED and provide a more detailed framework for spatial planning on land and at sea.

By participating in MEDSEAPLAN, Malta is playing an active role not only in data and technical work but also in improving communication and engagement around MSP. In doing so, it is helping shape a more coherent and coordinated approach to marine planning across the Mediterranean.

Project MEDSEAPLAN is financed by Xjenza Malta through the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership that is supported by the European Union through Horizon Europe.

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