Marine Spatial Planning - Marine Cadastre: a necessary interdependence in Greece

Abstract

Marine planning dates back at the 80's. In 2014, EU publishes a directive on Marine Spatial Planning. The location and the area of marine space of Greece necessitate the institution of a Marine Spatial Planning policy framework. Marine space represents an area where natural and human activities coexist. In addition, marine space is finite and ecologically vulnerable. Increasing conflicts among uses and environmental degradation of marine ecosystems are crucial issues, which should be examined and resolved in the frame of Marine Spatial Planning in Greece. Marine Cadastre constitutes a necessary tool for the creation of a solid base for the implementation of Marine Spatial Planning. Marine Cadastre is defined as a unified registration system of legal, technical and other information regarding marine space, along with the rights, the restrictions and the responsibilities that take place in the marine environment. The aim of this paper is to point out and document the interdependence between Marine Cadastre and Marine Spatial Planning. Their in-between interaction is examined and the necessity of Marine Cadastre on Marine Spatial Planning. The paper is aiming at the documentation of an implementation proposal for a Marine Spatial Planning framework with the Marine Cadastre tool embodied, in Greece.