Maritime spatial planning conference

The 7th National Maritime Law Conference „Maritime spatial planning” took place on April 12, 2018, at the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Gdańsk, organized by the Department of Maritime Law, WPiA UG and the European Law Students Association ELSA Gdańsk.

The conference takes place at an important time when Poland is in the marine spatial planning process – said Cpt. Wiesław Piotrzkowski, Director of the Maritime Office in Gdynia, Member of the Board of the Polish Nautological society. Pomeranian focuses on the dynamic development of maritime economy, so the spatial development plan is very important for our region, said Wiesław Byczkowski, Deputy Marshal of the Pomorskie Voivodeship. Gdańsk is strongly connected with the sea and a our  investments are support the development of the port, shipyards and other maritime services, said Aleksandra Dulkiewicz, Deputy Mayor of the City of Gdansk for Economic Policy. About activities for the activation of the National Center for Baltic Research – said prof. Krzysztof Bielawski – Vice-Rector for Development and Cooperation with Economy of the University of Gdańsk, Member of the Polish Maritime Cluster. About the SEAPLANSPACE Project, Marine spatial planning instruments for sustainable marine governance – said prof. Dorota Pyć, Director of the Department of Maritime Law.

The Law and Politics of Maritime Spatial Planning was the topic of the panel, headed by Jakub Puszkarski. The principles of maritime spatial planning were discussed by prof. Dorota Pyć. The objectives of the maritime spatial planning of the European Union were presented by dr Monika Adamczak-Retecka, and about the specificity of the legal regulation of spatial planning of Polish sea areas said prof.  Tomasz Bąkowski. The importance of the ecosystem approach and eco-space services in maritime spatial planning has been presented by dr Maciej Nyka.

 

A panel titled Marine Spatial Planning Instruments to Divide or Multiply The Sea Space? was leading by dr. Justyna Nawrot. The state of advancement of works on maritime spatial plans in EU countries and in Poland was presented by prof. Jacek Zaucha and eng. MSc Andrzej Cieślak. The challenges for Polish Maritime Administration in the field of spatial planning were discussed by eng. MSc. Anna Stelmaszyk-Świerczyńska, and the responsibilities of maritime administration employees in the implementation of spatial development plans for marine areas were presented by prof. Monika Tomaszewska. Differentia specifica planning authority in the marine area of Poland was the subject of discussion by dr. Jakub Szlachetko.

Common Practice – How to Rationally Use Sea Space – was the subject of the panel, which Dr. Magdalena Adamowicz was led. Scenarios of the development of shipping in the Baltic Sea were analyzed by Dr. Ernest Czermański. Drilling and mining platforms as part of the maritime spatial development plan were presented by Magdalena Jabłonowska, LOTOS Petrobaltic SA. Investments in the Port of Gdansk were dicussed by Agnieszka Drożdż, Port of Gdansk Authority SA, Member of the Polish Maritime Cluster. Offshore wind energy in the planning of maritime development was the subject of a presentation by Mariusz Witoński, Polish Maritime Wind Energy Association.

The conference discussed the most important issues that are important for the development and practical application of maritime spatial planning instruments for sustainable sea management. The idea was to develop principles of maritime spatial planning, develop good plans for maritime spatial development, define the responsibilities of public administration bodies, strengthen cooperation between the administration and social organizations. Photo: Marek Grzybowski