Jersey Marine Spatial Plan (MSP)

​​​​​​​​​​Objectives and outcomes

Objectives

An MSP's primary aim is to make sure we understand how people value and interact with our marine environment, which is achieved by making sure the MSP uses various evidence based factors.

The MSP process aims to find a balance between the different uses we have for our marine environment, and to make sure we interact with our local ecosystems in a sustainable manner. 

Outcomes

The MSP focusses on human activity and how those activities relate to the ecology of our marine environment. Gathering evidence of this relationship allows us to determine how sensitive our marine environment is to the various ways humans interact with it.

This was assessed at a habitat level to demonstrate the importance of biodiversity and the ecosystems that are affected by human interaction. 

The outcome of the MSP process is to make sure our marine environment is better protected and enjoyed for generations to come.

MSP consultation and reports

The public consultation phase ran from 24 October 2023 to 28 January 2024 . Public participation and involvement from the outset of this project was fundamental in shaping the content for the MSP.

Following the consultation,  the MSP went through a 14 week Scrutiny review process, and their report was published on 17 October 2024.​

​Review of the Marine Spatial Plan report 17 October 2024

The MSP was unanimously voted in by the States Assembly on the 23 October 2024.

There were several amendments proposed that were voted on separate to the MSP.

Marine Spatial Plan Amendment P.44/2024 

Marine Spatial P​lan Amendment P.44/2024 Second Amendment P.44/2024

Amendment number one was rejected, amendment number two was accepted, while the amendment to amendment number two was rejected.

Reports

Jersey Marine Spatial Plan: ​Legislation and Policy Review

Ecosystem service assessment of Jersey’s marine habitats​

An Outline of the Ecology and Sensitivity of Marine Habitats in Jersey​

Sensitive species and associated habitat for management consideration​

Maritime Activity Assessmen​t Report ​ ​​

Marine Protected Area Asse​ssment Methodology

Additional resources

MSP Priorities and Actions Plan

MSP Poster Map​

MSP Public Consultation Response​​

MSP Business Impact Assessment of the proposed Marine Protected Area network on the mobile gear fishing fleet​

The ​MSP structure

The final MSP will include:

• a strategy document which details the physical characteristics and current uses of the marine environment, along with priorities for its future management
• a map showing the extent of zones and the locations where specific priorities apply
• ​an evidence base which supports the priorities described in the strategy document​

This will include an online interactive atlas showing the spatial extent of habitats and the areas used for different human activities identified through existing datasets and the stakeholder engagement process. The interactive atlas will be developed following the outcome of the States Debate.

All documents will be made available at the end of the process through the Jersey MSP Portal. 

Timetable

Work is already underway on gathering information for the evidence base and we anticipate that the Jersey MSP will be produced to the following timetable:

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​The team

To achieve this plan, consultants have been brought on board who have experience working with the specific needs of island life. This has been demonstrated by their policy making and their work on the Island Plan.

Government of Jersey Marine Resources have commissioned Fiona Fyfe Associates to prepare the MSP. Government of Jersey are providing much of the evidence base and will be closely involved with the project. Their team includes specialists in marine planning, marine biology and mapping.

Fiona Fyfe and her team know Jersey's landscapes and seascapes well through previous projects, such as the recent Integrated Landscape and Seascape Character Assessment, which is in regular use by several Government of Jersey departments.