National Spatial Planning Strategy for the Maritime Space of Greece
Hellenic Ministry of Environment and Energy
(
Government
)
#OceanAction41443
Description
The EU Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) Directive 2014/89/EU has been transposed into Greek legislation with Law 4546/2018 that sets the legal framework defining the scope, objectives, procedure and structure of Maritime Spatial Planning. In the end of 2020 there have been significant changes in the relevant Greek legislation, including amendments on Law 4546/2018 as well as on the sectoral strategic planning tools. According to the above, MSP consists of (a) the National Spatial Planning Strategy for the Maritime Space (NSPSMS) and (b) the Maritime Spatial Frameworks (MSFs), which correspond to Maritime Spatial Plans and refer to Maritime Spatial Units (MSUs). The NSPSMS: determines the strategic directions towards sustainable development, is harmonised with the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) 2008/56/EC aiming at achieving good environmental status (GES) of the marine environment, indicates and justifies the priorities for the elaboration of Maritime Spatial Frameworks, sets goals focusing on the promotion of the Blue Economy and integrates within its planning the political framework and the current legislation introduced by the EU Green Deal, taking into account the New EU Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change.
Approval of the National Spatial Strategy for Maritime Space of Greece through a Council of Ministers Act
As the National Spatial Planning Strategy for the Maritime Space (NSPSMS) is applied across the entire national maritime space, encompassing all maritime zones of the country, including the coastal zone, the continental shelf, and the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), it addresses the entire coastal and island populations, communities and all range of stakeholders .
The enactment of the NSPSMS has been concluded in 2025 with the adoption of the Council of Ministers’ Act no 6 on the “Approval of the National Spatial Planning Strategy for the Maritime Space” on 17 April 2025 (Official Journal of the Government D’ 227/17.4.2025). The benefits of its enactment include sustainable development, allocation principles and rules for marine space and resources, economic growth, stability, transparency and predictability of the investment climate. Moreover, to complete the required legal framework, on 17 April 2025 Greece|Hellenic Ministry of Environment and Energy has also adopted two Ministerial Decisions on the “Technical Specifications for the Maritime Spatial Frameworks (MSFs) in accordance with Law 4546/2018” and on the “Determination of Maritime Spatial Units (MSUs) for the elaboration of the Maritime Spatial Frameworks (MSFs)”.
SDGS & Targets
Goal 14
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
14.1
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
14.1.1
(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density
14.2
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
14.2.1
Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas
14.3
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
14.3.1
14.4
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
14.4.1
14.5
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
14.5.1
14.6
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
14.6.1
Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
14.7
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
14.7.1
Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries
14.a
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
14.a.1
14.b
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
14.b.1
Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries
14.c
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"
14.c.1
Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources
SDG 14 targets covered
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| 14.2 | By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans |
Deliverables & Timeline
Enactment of the National Spatial Planning Strategy for the Maritime Space of Greece
Resources mobilized
Partnership Progress
| Title | Progress Status | Submitted |
|---|---|---|
| Elaboration of National Maritime Spatial Planning Strategy by 2021 - Fri, 09/20/2024 - 12:51 | On track |
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Timeline
Entity
SDGs
Geographical coverage
Other beneficiaries
Maritime stakeholders and other key actors, costal communities, public and private sector.
Ocean Basins
Communities of Ocean Action
Website/More information
Countries
Headquarters
Contact Information
Evgenia Lagiou, Hellenic Ministry of Environment and Energy, General Secretariat of Spatial Planning and Urban Environment, Directorate-General of Spatial Planning, Directorate of Spatial Planning, Department of National Spatial Planning Strategy