What is MSP? - MFMR
WHAT IS MSP?
Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) is a long-term and strategic decision-making process that guides where and when human activities occur in the ocean. Making sure the right activity takes place in the right areas, helps facilitate the development of a sustainable blue economy as recognized in the National Development Plan 5 benefiting Namibians and the environment alike.
WHY AND WHERE MSP IS IMPLEMENTED IN NAMIBIA?
There is a growing range of industries in the Namibian ocean space. These need to be managed in a coordinated way, to avoid conflicts between marine uses and conflicts with the environment. Namibia is therefore implementing MSP to facilitate integrated management of human uses in the ocean.
WHY AND WHERE MSP IS IMPLEMENTED IN NAMIBIA?
There is a growing range of industries in the Namibian ocean space. These need to be managed in a coordinated way, to avoid conflicts between marine uses and conflicts with the environment. Namibia is therefore implementing MSP to facilitate integrated management of human uses in the ocean.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MSP IN NAMIBIA?
Namibia has committed, through the Second National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP 2), Fifth National Development Plan (NDP 5) and the regional BCC Strategic Action Programme, to implement MSP. The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR) has been tasked by Cabinet, through the NBSAP 2 and NDP 5, to coordinate the process of MSP in Namibia. The MFMR initiated the formation of the Marine Spatial Planning National Working Group (MSP-NWG) which leads and implements the technical MSP process. The MSP-NWG consists of representatives from the following ministries and institutions:
- Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF)
- Ministry of Defence (MOD)
- Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET)
- Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR)
- Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and SME Development (MITSMED)
- Ministry of Land Reform (MLR)
- Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME)
- Ministry of Urban and Rural Development (MURD)
- Ministry of Works and Transport (MWT)
- Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST)
- National Commission on Research Science and Technology (NCRST)
- National Planning Commission (NPC)
- University of Namibia (UNAM)
WHAT IS THE STATUS OF MSP IN NAMIBIA?
The National Overview for Marine Spatial Planning and Knowledge Baseline for Namibia report (Current Status Report) is developed to provide both a national overview and the knowledge base for planning the central Namibian marine area based on the best available data, information and evidence, compiled and analysed by the MSP-NWG together with technical experts and validated by stakeholders.
The MSP-NWG has developed Current Status Report and presented it at the multi sector stakeholder workshop held in the 19th April 2018, in Swakopmund.
The workshop objectives were as follow:
- Provide an overview of the Namibian MSP process and present the progress to-date;
- Present and invite stakeholder views on the data and information collated and analysed so far; and
- Provide an opportunity for stakeholders to highlight any additional gaps or issues to help inform the coming planning steps.
In total 89 participants attended the workshop, including the NWG and the MARISMA project. Invitations were sent to over 100 stakeholders across all marine sectors to represent civil society groups and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), industries (companies and associations) as well as government/statutory agencies (local authorities, regional councils, state-owned enterprises, and ministries). From these three stakeholder groups, the following number of participants participated: 16 from civil society groups and NGOs, 25 from industry, and 48 from a wide range of government/statutory agencies. Three groups were representing 10 different sectors including conservation, fisheries, mariculture, transport and ports, tourism, mining, heritage, wastewater disposal, environmental protection and defence..
IMPLEMENTATION AND REVISION OF MSP
MSP in Namibia is implemented through a collaborative, participatory and integrative approach that engages all stakeholders concerned (marine users and regulators) to ensure and enable a process through which they cooperate in working towards (an) agreed Marine Spatial Plan(s).
The MSP process will consider any licenses, permits and other management measures that currently exist. In future, sectoral planning and decision-making in terms of issuing licenses, permits and other management measures in the marine environment is expected to be consistent with the forthcoming Marine Spatial Plan(s), which are to be approved by government.
Marine spatial plans are reviewed every 7 to 10 years but that doesn't restrict any amendment of the plan earlier if there is a need of amending it.
DATA AND INFORMATION MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
Introduction
This strategy guides the work of the Namibian Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) Working Group in establishing and implementing MSP in Namibia and developing the first marine spatial plan. It sets out what will be done to ensure appropriate data and information is available for the purpose of MSP, and what will be done to ensure this data and information is managed in line with the best possible standards for its immediate use and in the long term. The strategy is a public document that intends to contribute to the transparency of the MSP process.
THE STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY
Purpose of the Strategy
This strategy sets out how and when the Namibian Marine Spatial Planning National Working Group (MSP-NWG) will engage with government, industry and civil society stakeholders during the Namibian MSP process. It helps to ensure that the MSP process is transparent, coordinated and that stakeholders understand how they can be involved, contribute and influence the plan's development. To ensure adaptability to the process, this strategy will be updated regularly.
Stakeholders represent three broad categories as illustrated in the figure below:
- Government decision-makers: government stakeholders including ministries and state agencies
- Private sector: stakeholders representing the key marine sectors operating in the area
- Civil society: Stakeholders representing non-governmental and public interests
THE STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY
Purpose of the Strategy
This strategy sets out how and when the Namibian Marine Spatial Planning National Working Group (MSP-NWG) will engage with government, industry and civil society stakeholders during the Namibian MSP process. It helps to ensure that the MSP process is transparent, coordinated and that stakeholders understand how they can be involved, contribute and influence the plan's development. To ensure adaptability to the process, this strategy will be updated regularly.
Stakeholders represent three broad categories as illustrated in the figure below:
- Government decision-makers: government stakeholders including ministries and state agencies
- Private sector: stakeholders representing the key marine sectors operating in the area
- Civil society: Stakeholders representing non-governmental and public interests
WHY IS NAMIBIA IMPLEMENTING MSP?
Namibia is a maritime nation with a rich ocean wealth and an ocean area that is approximately 2/3 the size of its land area. The ocean is fundamental for the well-being of Namibians as it provides valuable services and resources for multiple sectors. Current use and management of the ocean space is mainly based on silo sector management.
MSP is a relatively new way of improving the management of human activi?es that take place in the ocean. MSP entails a strategic and long-term public development planning process that guides where and when human activies occur in the sea. MSP coherently organizes the use of space and its marine resources to guide single-sector decision-making and provide for comprehensive, integrated and complementary planning, management and governance of the ocean.
MSP REPORTS
Namport
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