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 orange country in that edition.
Country Orange has a relatively large marine presence in the North Sea (large in relation to country size) and has had a strong presence there with fishing, shipping and fossil energy forms (oil and gas) as traditional sectors. Commercial fishing and oil and gas are still important sectors but with strong competition with new sectors, such as green energy forms at sea (wind, wave and current) and closer to the coast, aquaculture.
The country's government has a sustainable growth perspective, which means that exploitation of marine resources, especially green energy forms, and protection of marine resources are both prioritized. Concerning the latter, there is currently talk about phasing out some oil- and gas rigs in favour of protection, especially around the Dogger Bank area.
The domestic case concerns planning for a scenario where some oil- and gas rigs are phased out over 10 years in favour of areas with renewable energy (both wind, wave and current) and MPAs. At the same time, there is competition with existing sectors (like fishing and shipping). A current concern is also fishers from countries not or no longer participating in the EU 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 about 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 Orange has a relatively small marine presence in the Baltic Sea region geographically speaking. Geopolitically it's a slightly different story, as the country borders westerly oriented countries to the west, and easterly oriented countries to the east. The country itself can be characterised as more westerly oriented. In recent, modern history, the country was politically very dynamic. Still, over the past decades, arguably thanks to its new international alliances, it has become more and more economically prosperous. In the western part, the country's sea area is relatively tranquil and well-protected, while to the east the country's sea area is busy with commercial shipping and related industries.
The country's government wants to strengthen and safeguard the shipping industry, stimulate (marine) tourism, and develop some offshore renewable energy areas, in that order. While there are plenty of shallow waters at this country's disposal, they are relatively close to the coast. The government is concerned about what its own population as well as tourists will think of being able to see wind farms from the coast. New developments are interesting, as long as they are not in the way of the well-established, important sectors.
Consequently, the government is looking for a scenario where current shipping interests in the sea area are fully met, more bathing and boating areas combined with protected areas are developed in the west, and a decent surface area is found for some offshore wind farms using current, conventional technologies. Collaborations with neighbouring countries should be sought after when they make sense, in which case the government will first look to the west.
More internationally, the country needs to be mindful of its geographical position between the west and east, combined with its geopolitical position in the west. The government is not looking for political conflicts, but it expects they might come from mostly from the east. Either way, the government will neither run away from a conflict, nor avoid it at any cost. As the country is a full and relatively happy member of both the EU and NATO, keeping these friends close remains important to this country.
The Orange authority area is a relatively large one in the Clyde Marine Region with a huge role to play. It consists of a piece of the mainland in the east, and several islands, of which one large (Isle of Arran). These islands are major (marine) tourist attractions, with lots of sailing, boating and diving going on particularly close to shore. Lots of commercial ship traffic going upstream into the Clyde also go through this authority's area. Passenger vessels between the mainland and the islands cross this shipping line too.
The authority wants to improve or at least maintain the status quo in terms of tourism and commercial shipping. Closer to shore there are some, but limited, opportunities to explore offshore renewable energy development, in which the authority is interested to an extent. The authority wants to combine this energy interest with further marine protection. Actually, the authority values marine protection much higher, given its clear link to the kind of tourism this area attracts.
Consequently, the authority is looking for a scenario where more marine protected areas are defined and strictly enforced, perhaps combined with small offshore renewable energy areas at strategic locations relatively close to shore. To ensure (marine) tourism's continued existence and development, commercial shipping routes should stay well away and might need to be redefined, according to this authority.
Within the wider Celtic Sea context, the country needs to be mindful of UK and Irish policies concerning marine protection, commercial shipping and commercial fishing. The UK's departure from the EU has increased the complexity, which surely trickles down to this important authority area, but how exactly?
Country Orange has a relatively small marine presence in the Adriatic Sea, both in terms of surface and influence. The country is still relatively young in its current form, and has politically been incredibly dynamic over the past decades. Once part of a much larger nation with strong communist foundations and eastern alliances, it is now up for full EU membership and part of other more western alliances. The coastal area does not have the highest priority on the country's political agenda. Still there are important passenger routes across this country's part of the Adriatic. There are also several important electricity interconnecting cables connecting this country's grid to others'.
The country's government is looking to see its (marine) touristic areas grow. Offshore renewable energy development might be technically possible, but is not really on the government's agenda. It would rather focus on 'blue growth', notably commercial fishing and aquaculture. In the past neighbouring countries laid telecommunication cables through this country's EEZ, without really involving it. The country would like to see this change.
Consequently, the government is looking for a scenario where areas closer to shore are reserved for marine tourism interests, fishing and aquaculture. The government is open to exploring new marine protected areas further out at sea, in collaboration with its neighbouring countries. The commercial shipping traffic further out at sea needs to maintain its status quo.
More internationally, while the country is aware of new impending regulations because of its upcoming EU membership, it is unsure how to deal with them given the national interests.
Country Orange has a relatively modest marine presence in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, it traditionally has focused on commercial fishing, coastal tourism, shipping and offshore oil and gas ventures. Also Marine Aquaculture, which is mainly concentrated along the southern coast, has seen significant growth over the last decade. The official mariculture zones identified are crucial for sector sustainability, preventing competition for space and improving the investment climate.
The country is proactively preparing for the gradual phasing out of oil and gas rigs over the next decade, the main challenge is its competition with ongoing conservation efforts and the indispensable shipping sector- which both are deemed non-negotiable priorities. However, recent discoveries of hydrocarbons, and especially gas, implying additional exploration is likely in the near future. In 2019, 9 exploration licenses for gas and oil were granted. Country Orange and Country Pink have an agreement for cross-median line hydrocarbon resources development.
Country Orange remains vigilant about its maritime traffic, including the preservation of shipping lanes and passenger routes that are deemed unalterable. The island counts 6 ports and has the third-largest fleet in the European Union. The country also serves as a major port of call for the European cruise industry, as the leading economic sector is Coastal tourism. Simultaneously, the nation is committed to upholding its national defense needs.
In conclusion, country Orange is dedicated to striking a delicate balance between economic interests, environmental conservation, and international considerations of its Mediterranean waters. The strategic approach aspires blending traditional sectors with forward-looking initiatives to shape a diverse and robust maritime landscape. From the bustling deep-sea shipping industry, supported by strategically positioned ports, to the innovative approach in securing fresh water through desalination technologies.
Co-funded by the European Union.