Country information
Basic facts on marine waters
- Internal waters (to the baseline) and Territorial sea (12 NM): Approximately 25 200 km2
- Exclusive Economic Zone: Approximately 11 300 km2 (Note: the EEZ between Estonia and Russia is not agreed)
Strategic documents related to MSP
Technical resources related to MSP
Relevant MSP projects
- MPA Europe (2023-2026)
- MSP4BIO (2022-2027)
- MAREA (2020-2022)
- Pan Baltic Scope (2018-2019)
- Baltic SCOPE (2015-2017)
- Baltic LINes – Coherent Linear Infrastructures in Baltic Maritime Spatial Plans (2016-2019)
- Plan4Blue – Maritime Spatial Planning for Sustainable Blue Economies (2016-2019)
- GAP2 – Connecting Science Stakeholders and Policy (2011-2015)
- BaltSeaPlan – Introducing Maritime Spatial Planning in the Baltic Sea (2007-2013)
Overview of MSP related maritime uses
Current main uses:
| Radars | Shipping |
| Ports | Nature conservation |
| Fisheries | Aquaculture |
| Military | Scientific research |
| Coastal protection | Tourism and leisure |
| Cables and pipelines | Underwater cultural heritage |
Which marine spatial plans exist?
Name of the plan (year) |
Estonian Maritime Spatial Plan (2022) |
|---|---|
Scale of the plan |
National |
Pre-planning |
Status: Completed |
Assessments for planning |
Status: Completed |
Plan development
|
Status: Completed |
Plan completion
|
Status: Completed |
Plan approval
|
Status: Completed |
Plan implementation |
Status: Underway |
Plan review
|
Status: N/A |
National authority in charge of MSP |
Ministry of Finance |
Governmental funding |
Financing from state budget |
External funding |
N/A |
Public-Private funding |
N/A |
Size of planning area |
The Estonian Maritime Spatial Plan solution has been drawn up for the entire Estonian maritime area (both territorial sea and exclusive economic zone), except for the previously planned maritime areas bordering the counties of Hiiu and Pärnu, which will continue to be valid |
Time required to complete the planning document |
N/A |
Main issues that led to the adoption of MSP (drivers) |
N/A |
Stakeholder engagement activities |
The Estonian Maritime Spatial Plan was prepared through three public displays, followed by public discussions. the material has been coordinated with all the relevant ministries and authorities, and interested parties (e.g. professional associations, developers, persons who expressed their wish to participate in the procedure, etc.) and the above-mentioned authorities have been consulted |
Sectors included in planning |
Fisheries, aquaculture, maritime transport, maritime rescue, renewable energy production, seabed infrastructure, tourism and recreation, protected natural objects, marine culture, cultural monuments, national defense, mineral resources, dumping, permanent connections |
Articulation between MSP and coastal zone management |
N/A |
Articulation between MSP and marine protected areas |
N/A |
Articulation between MSP and sustainable blue economy |
N/A |
Plan approval process |
Estonian Maritime Spatial Plan was approved by the Government on May 12th 2022 |
Legal status of the plan (guiding or legally binding) |
In order to ensure the implementation of the Estonian Maritime Spatial Plan, general guidelines are given for onshore planning, for the preparation of national designated spatial plans, local government comprehensive plans, designated special plans and detailed spatial plans, as well as for decisions related to marine use |
Plan review process |
At least once every five years |
Performance monitoring and evaluation |
The Action Plan will help to monitor the implementation of the Estonian Maritime Spatial Plan and to provide relevant reviews to the Government of the Republic and conclusions on the timeliness and relevance of the Estonian Maritime Spatial Plan |
Legal framework
Planning on land and in Estonia’s marine waters (EEZ, territorial sea, and inland waters) is based on the Estonian Planning Act, which has been in force since July 2015, and an Order of the Government from October 2012. The two pilot MSP plans are based on this Order. The national MSP process was initiated on 25 May 2017.
Contact
Ministry of Finance
Lembe Reiman – Adviser at the Department of Spatial Planning