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 purple country in that edition.
Country Purple has the largest marine presence in the North Sea (compared with neighbouring countries) and has had a strong presence there since the 1960s when oil and gas deposits were found. Before then, fishing was, and still is, of great importance. Today, commercial fishing in the North Sea is a large business, but also seeing strong competition with emerging sectors, such as green energy forms and aquaculture. The dominating sector is, however, still oil and gas extraction, which the country's economy largely depends on.
The country Purple 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 creating more conservation areas, especially those with coral reefs closer to the Oslo Fjord.
The domestic case concerns planning for a scenario with continued oil- and gas rigs extraction and commercial fishing, but with growing interest in renewable energy (both wind, wave and current) as well as more conservation efforts, both close to land and close to neighbouring countries. A current concern is also fishers who are not or no longer participants 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. The country wants to propose a new plan for its North sea area, with special attention given to the needs of the following three sectors:
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. Finally, attention needs to be paid to environmental conditions and ecological qualities in the area, e.g. wind speed, currents, various species, pressures, biodiversity, etc. that may affect marine activities.
Country Purple has the by far biggest marine presence in the Baltic Sea region, at least geographically. Geopolitically, the country is a strong player, yes, but given its low population density and relatively lower economic power, it's not as influential as it used to be many centuries ago. Having said that, practically all the big container, bulk and tanker vessels go through this country's sea area at some point, or multiple points. There are important IMO routes and schemes in place in this country's sea area as a result. The biggest port of the region in the west is part of this country. Similar to country Green, this country hosts several distinct marine ecosystems: two in the north-east (Bothnian Bay and Bothnian Sea), two to the east (Bothnian Proper) and in the west towards the North Sea entrance/exit (Skagerak).
Country Purple's government wants to use its vast sea area to push something that it feels other countries would rather ignore: marine protection. The country is host to very important spawning and nursery areas, particularly in its Baltic Proper part. Moreover, the country's waters go from salty to brackish to practically sweet, and the ecosystems are all the more fragile because of it. Moreover, certain areas are already technically 'dead zones'. It's time for change, and this government is going to push for it strongly. The government also wants to see offshore renewable energy areas developed wherever they sensibly can. There are plenty of shallower waters particularly to the south. Marine protection comes first though!
To that end, the government is looking for a scenario where vast and more strongly enforced marine protected areas are defined on the short term, as well as the first offshore renewable energy areas (presumably wind farms). The latter should exponentially increase over the next 30 years. The country expects to export most of the energy produced, however, since its own energy demands are more or less met by hydropower and wind power on land.
Internationally, the government should keep an eye on EU legislation coming their way. After all, the country is an EU member state. When it comes to marine protection EU legislation, the government foresees no problems. It is planning to do even more/better anyway. The country really wants to join NATO as well. As soon as this happens, expect the military sector to have an even more powerful say in the marine/maritime spatial planning process than they already do...
The Purple authority area has an important piece of marine real estate: the very entrance to the Clyde river, the beginning (or end?) of the estuary, or 'firth'. All big ships coming in and out of the major port up the river go through this authority area. Simultaneously, the area also provides access to several major Lochs (or gulfs). The Lochs and small towns around them are major tourist attractions. In turn both the Lochs and the river provide access to the rest of the country. So if something goes wrong here, the whole country will be affected.
The authority wants first and foremost to maintain much of the status quo. The heavy ship traffic, most of them container vessels, need to be able to continue. The touristic activities in this area are also well-established, and shouldn't necessarily grow either, as this might damage the Lochs ecosystems.
The authority is looking for a scenario where nothing really radical happens. The estuary/firth is narrow, the area is busy, there is simply limited room for additional new activities. The only real concern is that both commercial and touristic vessels can coexist safely in this area. With the region's and world's further economic growth, this is a valid concern. Economic growth could lead to increases in both types of ship traffic, after all.
Within the wider Celtic Sea context, the authority needs to be mindful of the attention it gets from the other authority areas and nations. Not so much in a negative sense, more in a positive sense. The economic and geographic importance of this area gives this authority a lot of power. Perhaps too much, sometimes?
Co-funded by the European Union.