The European Commission yesterday adopted a roadmap on maritime spatial planning to better manage maritime activities of European Union (EU) member states in face of the growth in competing uses of the sea.

Maritime spatial planning can also help coastal areas to prepare for climate change impacts such as rising sea levels, floods, altered marine ecosystems and investments in coastal protection, said the commission, the executive body of the EU.

"Maritime spatial planning is a key tool for a more rational use of sea areas and for the sustainable development of the maritime economy. It is the only way in which we can provide a predictable framework for economic investments in offshore areas and is a precondition for striking a balance between the vested interests of different maritime activities while preserving the marine environment," said Joe Borg, EU commissioner for maritime affairs and fisheries.

The fast growth in maritime activities such as maritime transport, port development, aquaculture, offshore drilling and tourism, combined with emerging and potentially new uses of the sea is increasing the pressure on already limited marine space.

Action at European level can provide significant added value in facing common challenges such as climate change, the global competitiveness of the EU's maritime economy, cross-border issues and the management of maritime activities in line with ecosystem requirements.

The commission hope to develop a common approach at the EU level to maritime spatial planning.

In 2009 the commission will organize a number of workshops to discuss the key principles for maritime spatial planning set out in the roadmap, launch pilot projects aimed at developing cross-border cooperation aspects and produce a progress report.