In each edition of the MSP Challenge, countries are coded by colours. This is to help users to distance themselves a bit from the real-life countries and assume a more playful mode - one where they are in control and can try out new things. The idea is to make plans for a managerial area without thinking too much about the how the real-life politicians and policy-makers from the actual country might think about it. Thus, the countries profiles are explained to the users for context and objective specification only. It is up to the users to decide what they want to achieve in MSP Challenge and how.
Click on the tab corresponding to the edition you are interested in and check the profile of the blue country in that edition.
Country Blue has a relatively small marine presence in the North Sea (large in relation to country size), but has had a strong presence there since the 1960s when oil and gas deposits were found. Fishing has traditionally also had a large presence and commercial fishing is still important but with strong competition with new sectors. The newest on the agenda is green energy forms at sea, particularly wind energy, where country Blue has been leading in years.
The country Blue government has a Blue Growth perspective, which means that exploitation of marine resources is prioritized, with fishing and material extraction as historically important activities. At the same time, there is currently talk about phasing out oil- and gas rigs, while there is also focus on protecting the Dogger Bank part in country Blue sea space.
Country Blue's case concerns planning for a scenario where oil- and gas rigs are completely phased out over 10 years in favour of areas with renewable energy (both wind, wave and current). At the same time, there is competition with existing sectors (like fishing and shipping) and a need to protect and connect representative key habitats. A current concern is also fishers from countries not partnering in the EU's Common Fisheries Policy, who are difficult to negotiate with. Planning border activities is therefore not easy, and collaboration depends on sectors across borders. Special attention needs to be given to the needs of the following three sectors:
Meanwhile, the country needs to be mindful of international traffic at sea, both shipping lanes and passenger traffic (i.e. should not/cannot be changed). In addition, any national defence needs must be left unchanged. Also environmental conditions and ecological qualities in the area need to be considered, e.g. wind speed, currents, various species, pressures, biodiversity, etc. that may affect any planned activities.
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