Recorded Webinar: What is Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning?

Watch the Webinar Run time 55 min.

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This webinar was broadcast nationally March 4 by Florida Sea Grant's Boating and Waterway Planning Program. The presenter is one of the world's leading experts in marine spatial planning, Charles, "Bud Ehler." Ehler analyzed how marine spatial planning can assist with balancing the many uses and activities associated with our coastal and ocean resources.

He also reviewed how marine spatial planning has been practiced successfully in other countries like Australia, The Netherlands, Germany, and Norway for over a decade. Ehler also examined the U.S. approach from an international perspective, and identified management challenges that will have to be overcome if marine spatial planning in the U.S. is to be effective, efficient, and equitable.

Applications of Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning in Florida’s Coastal Communities

By Charles Sidman
Associate Director for Research

What is Marine Spatial Planning?

Marine Spatial Planning is a new policy framework being implemented by the federal government to guide coastal and marine ecosystem-based management efforts at national, regional and local levels.

The framework, which is now a major focus of the Obama administration and NOAA, is designed to address the growing need for a comprehensive yet flexible planning strategy to manage human uses of coastal and marine resources in a manner that sustains economic, ecological and cultural resources for future generations.