Pilot project: Southeast Pacific

Finished (November 2018 to October 2021)

The pilot project in the Southeast Pacific is being implemented mainly in a specific cross-border area named Gulf of Guayaquil (Ecuador/Peru), while training activities will benefit all the member states of the Plan of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment and Coastal Areas of the Permanent Commission for the South Pacific (CPPS): Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama and Peru.

The region shows important advances in coastal management, although with a different level of progress. However, implementation of MSP processes is still incipient, with specific exercises in the framework of projects and other non-institutionalized temporary initiatives.

Main objectives

> Develop the pre-planning phase of MSP in the Gulf of Guayaquil

> Strengthen the institutional coordination towards the adoption of a regional roadmap

> Reinforce institutional capacities

Desired outcomes

> Binational recommendations for cross-border MSP and Sustainable Blue Economy in the Gulf of Guayaquil

> Roadmap for transboundary MSP and Sustainable Blue Economy in the Southeast Pacific

Technical reports

With the aim to assist its beneficiary countries in developing approaches, tools and actions at regional level to contribute to a coherent ecosystem-based MSP process, MSPglobal has launched two technical reports on current and potential future conditions in the area covered by its pilot project in the Gulf of Guayaquil.

Technical Report on Current Conditions and Compatibility of Maritime Uses in the Gulf of Guayaquil

EN | ES
(IOC Technical Series, 161, 2021)

Technical Report on Future Conditions and Scenarios for MSP and Sustainable Blue Economy Opportunities in the Gulf of Guayaquil

EN | ES
(IOC Technical Series, 163, 2021)

Storytelling tool

Based on the spatial analysis of existing conditions and the identification of possible alternative outcomes (scenarios) within the Gulf of Guayaquil, MSPglobal has developed a multilingual storytelling tool for the pilot project area. The objective is to present the data and information in a simplified and interactive way, and as such to turn complex concepts into notions easily understood by a wide audience.

It is an additional product to support binational mechanisms between Ecuador and Peru to promote cross-border MSP and Sustainable Blue Economy initiatives in the region.

To access the storytelling tool, please click on the image below.

Southeast Pacific Roadmap on Marine Spatial Planning and Sustainable Blue Economy

Building on capacity development activities to foster knowledge exchange and dialogue, the MSPglobal Initiative guided its beneficiary countries towards the formulation of recommendations on transboundary MSP and Sustainable Blue Economy in the Southeast Pacific.

It is crucial to note that the set of recommendations below in no way represents a fixed list arranged in order of priority. Rather, it must be understood that the different thematic blocks are all interlinked and stand at the same level of importance.

I. Inter-institutional and cross-border cooperation
This refers to the interrelation and articulation between the different institutional, public policy and administration levels from the local to the national, as well as between neighbouring countries.
Sectoral or activity-based spatial plans must be articulated and unified through MSP, which requires coordinated and harmonious work among the institutions that develop these processes, in accordance with their capacities and competencies. For an effective planning and management of the coastal and maritime territory, an integral vision of the territory, ecosystem connectivity, risk management and adaptation measures to climate change are essential, in addition to environmental criteria, in the design and development of maritime activities. Joint work will continue with neighbouring countries in the region in order to identify both existing conflicts of interest and convergence between national objectives and interests, and with a view to articulating the efforts that each country has developed on MSP.
II. Blue economy
*Sustainable and strategic development of maritime sectors in the context of planning.*
It is necessary to encourage the participation of the private sector to consolidate its active commitment to MSP and sustainable blue economy processes. The MSP process must be accompanied by the promotion of sustainable production and consumption patterns of resources, goods and services offered by the marine and coastal environment, which enable the livelihoods of local communities. In the different economic sectors that come together in MSP, the offer of goods or services that generate positive environmental impacts and incorporate good environmental, social and economic practices should be encouraged to contribute to the conservation of marine resources, as capital that supports sustainable development.
III. Ecosystem approach
*Planning from an ecosystem perspective to ensure ecosystem coherence, taking into account the possible effects of the distribution of maritime uses in the coastal and marine environment.*
Joint actions will be defined between authorities and society to maintain ecological, social, cultural and economic connectivity, thus allowing the uninterrupted movement of species and the flow of natural processes that sustain life on Earth, so that ecosystems function properly and our region as a whole develops in a sustainable way. The need to strengthen and integrate the ecosystem approach in the plans and visions of the countries, as such promoting the establishment of prevention measures in the face of present risks, as well as investment in nature-based solutions as mitigation, recovery and adaptation measures. The importance of ensuring that the main threats to biodiversity are identified in the areas where MSP is implemented.
IV. Research, development, innovation and training
*Knowledge, techniques, data and products to support the development of marine spatial plans and the strengthening of stakeholders’ capacities during the process.*
The importance of analysing the growth trends of the different economic sectors in order to generate scenarios that allow the identification of strategic development areas, ensuring ecosystem-based conservation. Ocean literacy, investment in research and studies that help better understand marine areas and the development of more knowledge. Based on this knowledge, countries can develop better and more sustainable solutions. Education should be a priority through training to consolidate the objectives of these recommendations. Knowledge about MSP and the blue economy should be delivered at all institutional and sectoral levels in order to join forces and establish public education programmes aimed at promoting maritime awareness among citizens.
V. Participation and communication
*Dissemination of knowledge on Marine Spatial Planning and involvement of stakeholders and the public.*
Strengthening dissemination processes on MSP and the blue economy to ensure their adoption at all levels. Interaction with stakeholders at local, national and regional levels is essential. As such, it is necessary to establish channels for coordinating activities led by the competent authorities for all interested parties in order to report on progress, data and information requirements, technical meetings, as well as to raise awareness among the population. It is important to assure community participation from the beginning and throughout the entire process, as well as to strengthen governance at the institutional level of indigenous/native peoples, Afro-descendants and local communities in general in order to obtain legitimate results that allow and facilitate the appropriation, management, monitoring and control of what is planned.

I. Inter-institutional and cross-border cooperation

This refers to the interrelation and articulation between the different institutional, public policy and administration levels from the local to the national, as well as between neighbouring countries.

Sectoral or activity-based spatial plans must be articulated and unified through MSP, which requires coordinated and harmonious work among the institutions that develop these processes, in accordance with their capacities and competencies.
For an effective planning and management of the coastal and maritime territory, an integral vision of the territory, ecosystem connectivity, risk management and adaptation measures to climate change are essential, in addition to environmental criteria, in the design and development of maritime activities.
Joint work will continue with neighbouring countries in the region in order to identify both existing conflicts of interest and convergence between national objectives and interests, and with a view to articulating the efforts that each country has developed on MSP.

II. Blue economy

Sustainable and strategic development of maritime sectors in the context of planning.

It is necessary to encourage the participation of the private sector to consolidate its active commitment to MSP and sustainable blue economy processes.
The MSP process must be accompanied by the promotion of sustainable production and consumption patterns of resources, goods and services offered by the marine and coastal environment, which enable the livelihoods of local communities.
In the different economic sectors that come together in MSP, the offer of goods or services that generate positive environmental impacts and incorporate good environmental, social and economic practices should be encouraged to contribute to the conservation of marine resources, as capital that supports sustainable development.

III. Ecosystem approach

Planning from an ecosystem perspective to ensure ecosystem coherence, taking into account the possible effects of the distribution of maritime uses in the coastal and marine environment.

Joint actions will be defined between authorities and society to maintain ecological, social, cultural and economic connectivity, thus allowing the uninterrupted movement of species and the flow of natural processes that sustain life on Earth, so that ecosystems function properly and our region as a whole develops in a sustainable way.
The need to strengthen and integrate the ecosystem approach in the plans and visions of the countries, as such promoting the establishment of prevention measures in the face of present risks, as well as investment in nature-based solutions as mitigation, recovery and adaptation measures.
The importance of ensuring that the main threats to biodiversity are identified in the areas where MSP is implemented.

IV. Research, development, innovation and training

Knowledge, techniques, data and products to support the development of marine spatial plans and the strengthening of stakeholders’ capacities during the process.

The importance of analysing the growth trends of the different economic sectors in order to generate scenarios that allow the identification of strategic development areas, ensuring ecosystem-based conservation.
Ocean literacy, investment in research and studies that help better understand marine areas and the development of more knowledge. Based on this knowledge, countries can develop better and more sustainable solutions.
Education should be a priority through training to consolidate the objectives of these recommendations. Knowledge about MSP and the blue economy should be delivered at all institutional and sectoral levels in order to join forces and establish public education programmes aimed at promoting maritime awareness among citizens.

V. Participation and communication

Dissemination of knowledge on Marine Spatial Planning and involvement of stakeholders and the public.

Strengthening dissemination processes on MSP and the blue economy to ensure their adoption at all levels.
Interaction with stakeholders at local, national and regional levels is essential. As such, it is necessary to establish channels for coordinating activities led by the competent authorities for all interested parties in order to report on progress, data and information requirements, technical meetings, as well as to raise awareness among the population.
It is important to assure community participation from the beginning and throughout the entire process, as well as to strengthen governance at the institutional level of indigenous/native peoples, Afro-descendants and local communities in general in order to obtain legitimate results that allow and facilitate the appropriation, management, monitoring and control of what is planned.