16 February 2023
Islanders and organisation representatives from the marine sector are being invited to attend a
series of workshops to help inform Jersey’s first Marine Spatial Plan.
In 2022, as part of the Bridging Island Plan, the States Assembly voted in favour of delivering a
Marine Spatial Plan. The Plan would be similar in concept to the Island Plan. However, while the
Island Plan deals with land use issues, the MSP will set out how the marine environment can best
be used and protected.
Stakeholder consultations will run between 28 February and 3 March, and Islanders or
organisations associated with the marine sector are encouraged to attend any of the below
workshops in-person:
- Biodiversity and cultural heritage, Tuesday 28 February, 3pm to 5pm
- Coastal tourism and water sports, Wednesday 1 March, 3pm to 5pm
- Fishing (commercial and recreational) and aquaculture, Thursday 2 March, 5pm to 7pm
- Energy and infrastructure, Friday 3 March, 10am to 12pm
- General MSP session, online only, Monday 6 March, 3pm to 5pm
Those wishing to attend must register their interest by emailing the Marine Spatial Planning team on msp@gov.je.
The aim of the MSP is to support with Jersey’s maritime management and ensure that the Island’s
marine "estate” is being used to its best economic advantage while also protecting biodiversity,
geodiversity, cultural assets, and important natural habitats. It should ensure consistency and coordination in line with the Government’s environmental, economic, and social objectives.
It will establish the ways in which the marine environment is valued for fishing, climate change,
water sports, wildlife, recreation, tourism, potential green energy opportunities and other
commercial activities.
There will also be an opportunity in late March for all Islanders to submit their suggestions to help
inform the draft MSP.
Later in the year, a public consultation will be held for Islanders to review the draft and provide
feedback before the final version is written.
Minister for Environment, Deputy Jonathan Renouf: “Jersey’s planning system extends to the
marine environment, so preparing a high-quality Marine Spatial Plan is in many ways long overdue.
Our marine estate covers an area around 20 times larger than our land area, so there is both a
huge opportunity and a huge challenge in working out a strong planning framework for our marine
environment. However, a great deal of work has already been undertaken to gather information for
the evidence base, and we are now looking forward to the first series of consultations with
Islanders and organisation representatives who are associated with the marine sector.
“I’d like to encourage those Islanders with an interest in the MSP and representatives of relevant
organisations to sign up to one or more of the workshops by 28 February.
“It is important we engage with all interested stakeholders as this will help inform the next stages
of developing the draft plan. We will also be seeking the views of all Islanders through an online
consultation in March.”
Notes to Editors
- for further information, please contact the press office on +44 (0) 1534 440430 or pressoffice@gov.je
- more information, visit: Jersey Marine Spatial Plan
- Marine Spatial Planning team email: msp@gov.je
- the Bridging Island Plan Strategic Proposal 3 on page 31 is on creating an MSP for Jersey
gov.je