COURSE OVERVIEW:

Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a strategic program designed for the sustainable management of ocean resources and the regulation of maritime activities. This course examines the process of analyzing and allocating the spatial and temporal distribution of human activities in marine areas to achieve ecological, economic, and social objectives. It provides a technical framework for balancing the competing interests of shipping, offshore energy, fishing, and conservation within a unified geographical context.

The scope of this training involves the detailed application of Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for maritime projects, such as port expansions, offshore wind farms, and subsea pipelines. Participants will explore the methodologies for identifying potential environmental stressors, predicting ecological consequences, and developing effective mitigation strategies. The program emphasizes the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and decision-support tools to visualize cumulative impacts and optimize the location of marine infrastructure.

Coverage includes the legal and international frameworks governing the blue economy, such as the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and regional MSP directives. The course addresses the importance of stakeholder engagement, the integration of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), and the monitoring of biodiversity indicators. By blending environmental science with policy and planning, this course equips professionals with the expertise needed to lead responsible development in the marine environment.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

After completion of this course, the participants will be able to:

1. Define the core principles and benefits of Marine Spatial Planning.
2. Conduct a step-by-step Environmental Impact Assessment for marine projects.
3. Utilize GIS tools for mapping marine uses and ecological sensitivities.
4. Evaluate the cumulative impacts of multiple maritime activities.
5. Identify legal and regulatory requirements for marine environmental permits.
6. Design effective mitigation and monitoring plans for offshore construction.
7. Manage stakeholder consultation processes for spatial planning.
8. Integrate "Blue Carbon" and climate change considerations into MSP.
9. Assess the environmental risks of subsea noise and chemical discharge.
10. Develop zoning strategies for competing marine industries.
11. Monitor biodiversity and habitat health using standardized indicators.
12. Navigate the transboundary challenges of international marine planning.
13. Lead the environmental compliance phase of major maritime developments.

TARGET AUDIENCE:  

Environmental Officers, Marine Planners, Port Authority Managers, Offshore Project Developers, and Government Regulatory Staff.

TRAINING COURSE METHODOLOGY:

A highly interactive combination of lectures, discussion sessions, and case studies will be employed to maximise the transfer of information, knowledge, and experience. The course will be intensive, practical, and highly interactive. The sessions will start by raising the most relevant questions and motivating everybody to find the right answers. The attendants will also be encouraged to raise more of their questions and to share in developing the right answers using their analysis and experience. There will also be some indoor experiential activities to enhance the learning experience. Course material will be provided in PowerPoint, with necessary animations, learning videos, and general discussions.

The course participants shall be evaluated before, during, and at the end of the course.

COURSE CERTIFICATE:

National Consultant Centre for Training LLC (NCC) will issue an Attendance Certificate to all participants completing a minimum of 80% of the total attendance time requirement.