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 yellow country in that edition.
Country Yellow 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 Yellow has been leading in years.
The country Yellow 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 Yellow sea space.
Country Yellow'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.
Country Yellow's sea area can actually better be understood as consisting of two connected ones: an area in the Baltic Proper region, and an area that actually a Gulf. In terms of marine ecosystem and human activities both are quite different. The latter is more oriented towards the country's capital city, with its tourism and its busy port, while the former is much more oriented towards other more commercial ports and wider shipping industry. The country is a westerly oriented country, situated between countries Navy and Red with which it has strong, historic ties. Ties with country Black, which it borders to the east, exist (in several different ways), but are emotionally very weak.
Yellow's government indeed likes to keep the two sub-areas mentioned above separate in its ambitions. The government feels that the Gulf needs protection and can simultaneously benefit much more from (marine) tourism, think of boating, sports, artisanal fishing, diving, the works. Fishing further out into the Gulf should still be possible too - the unique brackish ecosystem has given the fishing industry an edge here. In the Baltic Proper area the needs of the shipping sector are paramount. Still, the government recognizes (perhaps a bit reluctantly) that there are some opportunities for offshore wind farm areas in that region too.
The government is looking for a scenario where shipping, fishing and tourism are catered to first, marine protection second, and offshore renewable energy third. This latter sector should only get Baltic Proper areas. Current marine protection sights make a lot of sense, they should be properly implemented first before additional areas are found.
Internationally, the government needs to be mindful of its membership of the EU and NATO. It enjoys these westerly ties, and is weary of developments towards the east. Yet the westerly ties also introduce some influences that this country is still getting used to, notably when it comes to environmental protection. Other influences, e.g. concerning energy security, are not so difficult to deal with at all - the country happily benefits from them.
Country Yellow has reasonably small role to play in geographical and geopolitical terms within the Adriatic Sea region. The country's modern history was very dynamic, swinging back and forth between left and right. Most recently the country became much more westerly oriented, becoming a NATO member and with a pending EU membership. It is not the most economically prosperous of countries, but also certainly not poor. In the sea area its primary sectors are fishing and shipping, in that order.
The country's government wants to open up much further for tourism. Neighbouring countries have a very well-established touristic infrastructure, and this country has beautiful and improving fishing villages and marinas, so why shouldn't they get a piece of the tourism pie? It should be relatively easy to attract tourists, and it can easily coexist with existing maritime activities, according to this government.
Consequently, the government is looking for a scenario where (marine) tourism is highly stimulated, in peaceful coexistence with fishing and shipping. The government has heard of international interest in offshore renewable energy areas, but so far has limited knowledge about it to make any decisions. Aren't our waters simply too deep, the government wonders?
Internationally, the government needs to be mindful that its EU membership is still pending. It wants to join, but knows that it'll have to conform to new policies and regulations, but which exactly and to what extent? Surely they won't go against the government's vision and plans for the future?
Co-funded by the European Union.