Marine Spatial Planning

Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) is a process by which governments and communities decide how ocean space is used — and by whom. Think of it as zoning, but for the sea. Just as a city designates areas for housing, industry, parks, and transport, MSP maps out where fishing, shipping, tourism, energy development, conservation, and aquaculture can take place — and how these uses can coexist without damaging each other or the ecosystems that make them possible. Good MSP is built on scientific data, community input, and regional cooperation. In the Caribbean, where multiple industries depend on the same waters, it is an essential tool for preventing conflict, attracting investment, and ensuring the ocean remains productive for generations to come.