Objective
The increasing pressures upon the marine realm call for a well planned approach of further spatial development of this area. An ecosystem-based approach to fisheries, the increasing demand for sustainable energy, coastal defence systems, building materials and safe transport routes and the need to protect marine habitats and species all compete for the same valuable space. At the same time climate change will alter the composition and functioning of marine ecosystems, calling for a robust approach of future spatial planning that also takes cross boundary developments into account. MESMA will supply innovative methods and integrated strategies for governments, local authorities, stakeholders and other managerial bodies for planning and decision making at different local, national and European scales. This will also comprise an easy accessible information system to gain support from politicians, stakeholders and the public in general for difficult (inter)national decisions that will be needed for sustainable use and protection of this vulnerable area. This data system, containing information on the distribution of marine habitats and species, economic values and benefits and human uses and its effects will also be an interface between science, policy and decision makers.
MESMA will supply strategic tools for sustainable development of European seas and coastal areas. The major challenge is to combine an optimized use with a sustained ecosystem of high quality, taking into account ecological and economic differences. By studying and comparing different national situations and solutions from a selected number of sites throughout Europe and by determining common features and differences, including the socio-economic settings and requirements, an integrated toolbox that can be applied throughout Europe will be made available.
Fields of science
- agricultural sciencesagriculture, forestry, and fisheriesfisheries
- engineering and technologyenvironmental engineeringenergy and fuelsrenewable energy
- natural sciencesbiological sciencesecologyecosystems
- natural sciencesearth and related environmental sciencesatmospheric sciencesclimatologyclimatic changes
Keywords
Programme(s)
Call for proposal
FP7-ENV-2008-1
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Funding Scheme
CP-IP - Large-scale integrating projectCoordinator
6708 PB Wageningen
Netherlands
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Participants (21)
WC1E 6BT London
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60325 Frankfurt
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9000 Gent
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19013 Attikia Anavissos
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9000 Varna
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5817 Bergen
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T12 YN60 Cork
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00185 Roma
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48395 Sukarrieta
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SVR 1301 Santa Venera
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2800 Kongens Lyngby
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SW1P 3JR London
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EH14 4AS Edinburgh
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2629 HV Delft
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0579 Oslo
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2595 DA Den Haag
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1000 Brussel
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38116 Braunschweig
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1000 Bruxelles
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81 712 Sopot
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6882 CT Velp
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