From May 21-23, 2024, the MSP4BIO team gathered at the University of Cadiz in Spain for the 4th General Assembly (GA) to discuss the latest project developments, future actions, and key challenges. These sessions fuelled the advancement of the Ecological-Socio-Economic (ESE) management framework, which aims to protect and restore marine ecosystems while integrating with Marine Spatial Planning (MSP). This step-by-step guidance is designed for marine planners, MPA managers, and other pivotal decision-makers involved in marine and coastal management.
On the final day of the GA, the team had the opportunity to visit coastal salt marshes and traditional salt pans in the Bay of Cadiz - one of six project test sites for validating the ESE management framework. Our team members from the University of Cadiz who organised this field trip with the support of the local NGO “Salarte”, demonstrated how safeguarding traditional economic activities and applying nature-based solutions in this natural park contributes to its biodiversity.
To learn more about the MSP4BIO test sites, explore the engaging Story Maps available on the project website at msp4bio.eu.
MSP4BIO, which stands for “Improved Science-based Maritime Spatial Planning to Safeguard and Restore Biodiversity in a Coherent European MPA Network,” is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme.
