Ecosystem Approach in Maritime Spatial Planning - A Checklist Toolbox

The practice provides support when integrating the Ecosystem Approach in maritime planning. As a holistic approach with a focus on preserving/restoring marine ecosystems and maintaining ecosystem services to support human needs it should provide spatial solutions for the management of human activities in a way that is compatible with the achievement of good environmental status (GES) and the capacity of marine ecosystems to respond to human-induced changes. The checklist offers herefore solutions and practical approaches, for example by describing key elements of the Ecosystem Approach during the implementation phase in MSP processes as well as of integrated impact assessments. 

This toolbox has a checklist approach. The checklist approach also shows that there is no single right way to implement the Ecosystem Approach. The different dimensions of the general checklist can be considered and applied in different ways in different countries. But the checklists still indicate a minimum level for the implementation, as all dimensions/key elements have to be considered.