Ecorys contributes to stakeholder workshop in Venice for Multi-Use of European Seas

On the 27th of June different stakeholders came together to discuss the opportunities of multi-use in European seas. The stakeholder workshop was organised for the Horizon 2020 funded project MUSES, in which Ecorys is one of the consortium partners. Ecorys is responsible for studying the existing multi-use projects in the Netherlands, Belgium and Bulgaria, by analyzing the drivers, barriers, added values and impacts. During the workshop, researchers, policy makers and industry representatives from various sectors discussed the draft MUSES action plan to further realize the opportunities of multi-use in European seas.

Why multi-use?

There are increasing demands on ocean resources as well as increasing pressure on the use of ocean space. Challenges may arise from tensions between different maritime activities demanding marine space. Sustainable and efficient use of maritime space can be achieved through a combination of different maritime activities at the same location or using the same resources. Combining uses, both in close proximity, through joint operations, or on the same platform, can reduce space demand and potentially offer significant socio-economic and environmental benefits.

Which activities can be combined?

A total of 19 multi-use combinations were identified over the course of the MUSES project. These include various combinations of tourism, offshore wind energy, aquaculture, fishery, environmental protection, wave and tidal energy, underwater cultural heritage or decommissioned oil and gas platforms. Examples of multi-use could be an offshore wind farm in which seaweed is also cultivated or a fishing boat taking tourists on a tour to engage them in fishing practices.

For more information on the MUSES project and relevant outputs, visit www.muses-project.eu