Country information
Basic facts on marine waters
- Territorial sea (12 nm zone): N/A
- Exclusive Economic Zone: 57 000 km2
Strategic documents related to MSP
Technical resources related to MSP
Overview of MSP related maritime uses
Current main uses:
| Offshore renewable energy | Shipping |
| Ports | Oil and gas |
| Fisheries | Radars |
| Military | Scientific research |
| Cables and pipelines | Mining |
| Coastal protection | Nature conservation |
| Underwater cultural heritage | Tourism and leisure |
Which marine spatial plans exist?
Name of the plan (year) |
North Sea Programme 2022 – 2027 (2022) |
|---|---|
Scale of the plan |
National |
Pre-planning |
Status: Complete |
Assessments for planning |
Status: Complete |
Plan development |
Status: Complete |
Plan completion |
Status: Complete |
Plan approval |
Status: Complete |
Plan implementation |
Status: Underway |
Plan revision |
Status: N/A |
National authority in charge of MSP |
Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management |
Governmental funding |
Part of structural budgets |
External funding |
N/A |
Public-private funding |
N/A |
Size of planning area |
N/A |
Time required to planning document |
Two years |
Main issued that led to the adoption of MSP (drivers) |
Protection of marine life and habitats; to achieve good environmental status; renewable energy (predominantly offshore wind); shipping; sand extraction for coastal defense; all this in relation to climate change, fisheries and other (emerging) uses |
Stakeholder engagement activities |
Structured through the consultation body “Overleg Fysieke Leefomgeving”; face-to-face and online meetings; and once the draft of the plan has been published, consultation in accordance with national and international legislation. We promote stakeholders to organize themselves |
Sectors included in planning |
All relevant sectors amongst which maritime transport (shipping); oil and gas; offshore wind/renewables; pipelines and cables (including telecom); commercial fishing; mariculture; military; sand extraction for coastal protection; recreational boating/sailing |
Articulation between MSP and coastal zone management |
Two-fold: secure sand extraction areas for beach nourishment and special attention to Land-Sea Interactions. Also linkages with river basin management plans is discussed briefly (especially in relation to water quality) Land-Sea interactions are part of the MSP, other coastal topics are part of the National Water Programme 2022-2027 |
Articulation between MSP and marine protected areas |
The MSP policy plan and the integrated management plan set out the boundaries of areas in the North Sea in which the ecological features are to receive extra protection |
Articulation between MSP and sustainable blue economy |
N/A |
Plan approval process |
By Cabinet and Parliament |
Legal status of the plan (guiding or legally binding) |
Legally binding Statutory (self-binding). The plan has the status of a “policy rule” (or a “structural vision”) and the government is obliged to act in accordance with it. The plan mainly affects the regulation of use through permitting and is therefore important for permitting authorities and users who apply for a permit |
Plan review process |
Review starts this year to meet 2030 and post 2030 renewable energy targets |
Performance monitoring and evaluation |
Policy evaluation; separate monitoring; and evaluation of the good environmental status of the sea |
Legal framework
Legislation for Maritime Spatial Planning is in place for the Dutch North Sea. It is part of the National Water Act, which dictates a National Water Plan to be drafted every six years. Ecosystem-based MSP shall build on the Marine Strategy and a program of measures to ensure good environmental status of the sea. The National Water Plan ensures taking into account all relevant Land-Sea Interactions.
For various sectoral interest, specific legislation is in place, for instance the Electricity Law regulating offshore renewable electricity to be landed, or the Common Fisheries Policy of the EU for sustainable fisheries.
More information can be found here.
Contact
Ministry for Infrastructure and Water Management
Lodewijk Abspoel – Senior Policy Advisor EU IMP, MSP and North Sea