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 relative to country size, with a traditional focus on commercial fishing, shipping and oil and gas. In later years, however, the commercial fishing and oil and gas sectors have become less important in favour of green energy forms at sea, particularly wind and wave energy forms, and conservation, between which there are conflicts because of interest in same areas.
For the country's regional authorities, who are responsible for the country's North Sea area, sustainable exploitation of marine resources is important. New opportunities may also appear, as there currently is talk about phasing out oil- and gas rigs, which will results in new marine space to plan new activities.
Country Blue's domestic case concerns planning for a scenario where oil- and gas rigs gradually are phased out over 10 years in favour of renewable energy forms. At the same time, there is competition with conservation efforts and shipping, which are both prioritized as well and cannot be compromised. A challenge at the moment is growth strategies in neighbouring countries, especially country Yellow. The country needs a new plan for its area, with special attention given to the needs of the following three sectors:
The country needs to be mindful about international traffic at sea, both shipping lanes and passenger traffic (i.e. should not/cannot be changed). In addition, any national defensive 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 Blue has a relatively small marine presence in the Baltic Sea relative to country size, with a traditional focus on commercial fishing, shipping and tourism. In later years, however, the commercial fishing sector has become less important in favour of green energy forms at sea, particularly wind and wave energy forms, and conservation, between which there are conflicts because of interest in same areas.
For the country's regional authorities, who are responsible for the country's Baltic Sea area, sustainable exploitation of marine resources is important. New opportunities may also appear, as the country is investing strongly in renewable energy, which will result in new marine space to plan new energy activities.
Country Blue's domestic case concerns planning for a scenario where more offshore renewable energy forms are developed. At the same time, there is competition with conservation efforts and shipping, which are both prioritized as well and cannot be compromised. A challenge at the moment is growth strategies in neighbouring countries, especially countries Orange and Yellow.
The Blue planning authority is an interesting one, as it purely concerns a sea area, so without any coastline or land area. The area is busy with shipping, as it is a gateway between the all the planning authority areas and more southern areas in the Celtic Sea, as well as Northern Ireland.
The authority wants to ensure the well-established shipping routes are maintained. At the same time the sheer amount of ships travelling in the area to practically all directions is a cause of concern. So the authority wants to increase safety. The authority is weary of the interest in offshore renewable energy in its area. Yes, the waters are shallow enough, but surely there are better areas in the region for this?
Consequently, the authority is looking for a scenario where shipping routes are streamlined and optimized for safety and efficiency, while keeping any interfering new activities at bay. Although there might be some wheeling and dealing possible...
Within the wider Celtic Sea context, the authority needs to be mindful of not just offshore renewable energy interests and sectors coming their way, but also other new 'blue growth'-related developments. It can't just say 'no' to everything all the time; ships don't occupy every inch of the area all the time...
Country Blue has only a very small area in the Adriatic Sea. We recommend nobody actually plays it, but that a session's facilitator represents it if/when they need to (i.e., when sea-basin-wide decisions are made, e.g. concerning IMO routes). That way the facilitator has some opportunities to influence developments when they matter.
Country Blue's maritime landscape is marked by unique challenges and opportunities that significantly influence sectors such as maritime boundaries, energy exploration, and the fishing industry. Blue's maritime boundaries face complexities, influencing the economic interests of local residents and the sustainability of marine resources.
The ongoing delineation process and territorial challenges contribute to the evolving landscape of Blue's coastal regions. As country Blue explores offshore energy resources, the delicate balance between economic development and environmental preservation becomes crucial. The pressures to tap into these resources must align with sustainable practices to safeguard Blue's coastal ecosystems. The impact of pollution on Blue's fishing industry is substantial. Dumping solid waste into landfills along the coast, untreated sewage in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, and illegal net usage contribute to the environmental degradation affecting fish populations.
Crafting a sustainable future requires a holistic approach encompassing environmental conservation, responsible resource management, and community involvement. Ongoing developments, including the impact of development projects underscore the urgency of adaptive strategies for Blue's coastal regions.
Co-funded by the European Union.