MSP4BIO SURVEY

MSP4BIO SCIENCE POLICY THINK TANK SURVEY - INTEGRATING BIODIVERSITY INTO MARITIME SPATIAL PLANNING

Thank you for your time to participate in this survey.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The MSP4BIO project aims to enhance the integration of biodiversity into Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP). One of the key initiatives within MSP4BIO is the Science Policy Dialogue Think Tanks. These Think Tanks are designed to co-develop key solutions in collaboration with related projects and initiatives, aiming to improve biodiversity integration into MSP. The objective is to validate these solutions through engagement with policy actors. The MSP4BIO project collaborates with sister projects and other EU initiatives to communicate scientific outputs to policymakers in a simple and coherent manner. Think Tank meetings involve relevant experts, scientists, and policy stakeholders at both EU and regional seas levels.
The main objective of this survey is to collect preparatory information from relevant stakeholders that will inform the 3rd Think Tank meeting, which will take place on October 24th in Marseille (France).
PERSONAL INFORMATION
Please provide the following details:
Name
Surname
Organization
Project or initiative, if any
Role
Email
example@example.com
Data Usage Permission

Do we have your permission to use the data you provide in this survey for the purposes of the MSP4BIO project and related reporting? (Note: The survey complies with GDPR requirements.)
PART 1 - POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

Below are the recommendations produced by MSP4BIO. Please rank each recommendation in terms of importance and feasibility on a scale from 1 to 5 (where 1 is the highest and 5 is the lowest score) and if you represent a project, please explain how it contributes to each one.
A. Establish a dedicated coordination framework or bolster existing structures to focus specifically on marine biodiversity, including regular meetings and policy sessions across administrative boundaries (e.g., including local, national, regional authorities).
Rank Importance
1-5
Rank Feasibility
1-5
If you represent a project or initiative, please provide a brief explanation of your project’s contribution to this recommendation (i.e. through specific outputs, tools, studies or reports), if any:
B. Develop comprehensive guidelines and enforcement mechanisms for marine environment protection in protected areas, including adequate training, resources, and designated MPA managers for effective reserve management.
Rank Importance
1-5
Rank Feasibility
1-5
If you represent a project or initiative, please provide a brief explanation of your project’s contribution to this recommendation (i.e. through specific outputs, tools, studies or reports), if any:
C. Integrate the CFP more closely with MSP by enhancing the coherence between CFP requirements and MSP frameworks.
Rank Importance
1-5
Rank Feasibility
1-5
If you represent a project or initiative, please provide a brief explanation of your project’s contribution to this recommendation (i.e. through specific outputs, tools, studies or reports), if any:
D. Revise MPA objectives to be specific and measurable, aligned with each area's ecological needs, and involve MSP authorities in a consultative capacity.
Rank Importance
1-5
Rank Feasibility
1-5
If you represent a project or initiative, please provide a brief explanation of your project’s contribution to this recommendation (i.e. through specific outputs, tools, studies or reports), if any:
E. Strengthen MSP's role in achieving GES through capacity building, technical training, and dialogue across governance levels.
Rank Importance
1-5
Rank Feasibility
1-5
If you represent a project or initiative, please provide a brief explanation of your project’s contribution to this recommendation (i.e. through specific outputs, tools, studies or reports), if any:
F. Allocate a portion of maritime-related tax revenue to directly fund National Biodiversity Strategy 2030 projects and bolster its operational effectiveness.
Rank Importance
1-5
Rank Feasibility
1-5
If you represent a project or initiative, please provide a brief explanation of your project’s contribution to this recommendation (i.e. through specific outputs, tools, studies or reports), if any:
G. Increase investment in biodiversity research and monitoring to build a comprehensive knowledge base for improved policy evaluation.
Rank Importance
1-5
Rank Feasibility
1-5
If you represent a project or initiative, please provide a brief explanation of your project’s contribution to this recommendation (i.e. through specific outputs, tools, studies or reports), if any:
H. Create continuous input channels for stakeholders, ensuring research institutes and others contribute regularly and influentially to policymaking.
Rank Importance
1-5
Rank Feasibility
1-5
If you represent a project or initiative, please provide a brief explanation of your project’s contribution to this recommendation (i.e. through specific outputs, tools, studies or reports), if any:
I. Create mandatory, clear measures connecting MSP activities with biodiversity goals, including specific targets for success.
Rank Importance
1-5
Rank Feasibility
1-5
If you represent a project or initiative, please provide a brief explanation of your project’s contribution to this recommendation (i.e. through specific outputs, tools, studies or reports), if any:
J. Invest in data collection, develop more accessible decision support tools, and provide guidelines for their use in planning, monitoring, and adaptation processes.
Rank Importance
1-5
Rank Feasibility
1-5
If you represent a project or initiative, please provide a brief explanation of your project’s contribution to this recommendation (i.e. through specific outputs, tools, studies or reports), if any:
K. Utilize existing groups like the maritime economy group to establish compulsory assessments and reporting mechanisms that include biodiversity considerations.
Rank Importance
1-5
Rank Feasibility
1-5
If you represent a project or initiative, please provide a brief explanation of your project’s contribution to this recommendation (i.e. through specific outputs, tools, studies or reports), if any:
L. Align MSP objectives with EU Biodiversity Strategy: Use EU Biodiversity Strategy objectives to guide MSP initiatives towards biodiversity conservation.
Rank Importance
1-5
Rank Feasibility
1-5
If you represent a project or initiative, please provide a brief explanation of your project’s contribution to this recommendation (i.e. through specific outputs, tools, studies or reports), if any:
M. Improve public administration and technical staff training to strengthen biodiversity conservation efforts.
Rank Importance
1-5
Rank Feasibility
1-5
If you represent a project or initiative, please provide a brief explanation of your project’s contribution to this recommendation (i.e. through specific outputs, tools, studies or reports), if any:
N. Amend MSP policies to prioritize both economic and biodiversity objectives equally, and introduce mandatory conservation targets.
Rank Importance
1-5
Rank Feasibility
1-5
If you represent a project or initiative, please provide a brief explanation of your project’s contribution to this recommendation (i.e. through specific outputs, tools, studies or reports), if any:
O. Strengthen existing mechanisms like monitoring commissions to improve coordination and establish a public participation body for stakeholder engagement.
Rank Importance
1-5
Rank Feasibility
1-5
If you represent a project or initiative, please provide a brief explanation of your project’s contribution to this recommendation (i.e. through specific outputs, tools, studies or reports), if any:
PART 2 – SPECIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS AND SYNERGIES FROM PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES IN SUPPORT OF CURRENT POLICIES (FOR PROJECTS ONLY)

Does your project contribute to the following policies? (Yes/No and How? With which specific solution/tool?)
1. MSP Directive:
Tools/Solutions:
2. MSFD Directive:
Tools/Solutions:
3. EU Restoration Law*:
Tools/Solutions:
4. CFP:
Tools/Solutions:
5. Habitat Directive:
Tools/Solutions:
6. Birds Directive:
Tools/Solutions:
7. EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030:
Tools/Solutions:
8. EU energy and climate policies:
Tools/Solutions:
9. Regional policies/processes (e.g. Barcelona Convention Post 2020-SAP/BIO, HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan):
If yes, please specify the policy/process:
Tools/Solutions:
*The Nature Restoration Law was adopted by the European Parliament in February 2024 and by the Council of the EU in June 2024, two years after the publication of its proposal by the European Commission. The final text reflects the difficult discussions and compromises that have had to be agreed upon to ensure its final adoption. The NRL is nonetheless still an ambitious and binding piece of legislation.

It sets legally binding targets for Member States to restore 20% of land areas and 20% of seas by 2030, and all ecosystems in need of restoration by 2050. The law includes ecosystem-specific targets for terrestrial, coastal and freshwater, marine, urban, agricultural and forest ecosystems as well as for pollinator populations (Articles 4 to 12). It also puts in place important provisions relating to the implementation process, as well as monitoring and reporting, to ensure all the tools are available to achieve the law’s targets and objectives. Once the NRL enters into force (foreseen in August 2024), Member States will be required to develop and adopt National Restoration Plans (NRPs) outlining how they will achieve the targets and obligations set out in the law. The MS have 2 years to develop those plans, which needs to be done in a participatory way, involving all key stakeholders.

More info: https://environment.ec.europa.eu/topics/nature-and-biodiversity/nature-restoration-law_en.
PART 3 – CURRENT POLICY AND PROJECT LEVEL GAPS

Addressing the gaps in the integration of biodiversity into MSP processes:
1. What key topics/issues are missing from current projects focusing on the integration of biodiversity into MSP processes?
2. What should future projects include or focus on?
3. What are the main gaps in the current EU and Regional Seas policy frameworks?
Thank you for your participation! Your input is invaluable for the successful and effective Science-Policy Dialogue Think tank discussions supporting the integration of biodiversity into Maritime Spatial Planning.
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MSP4BIO SCIENCE POLICY THINK TANK SURVEY - INTEGRATING BIODIVERSITY INTO MARITIME SPATIAL PLANNING

Data Usage Permission

PART 1 - POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

PART 2 – SPECIFIC CONTRIBUTIONS AND SYNERGIES FROM PROJECTS AND INITIATIVES IN SUPPORT OF CURRENT POLICIES (FOR PROJECTS ONLY)

PART 3 – CURRENT POLICY AND PROJECT LEVEL GAPS