Transboundary marine governance and stakeholder engagement in complex environments and local seas: experiences from the Eastern Mediterranean

This paper discusses marine governance experiences from the Eastern Mediterranean, an area characterized by great complexities in spatial and governance terms. In particular, the paper examines experiences drawn from two research projects where multi-level and cross-sectoral governance schemes were tested as a side procedure to maritime spatial planning (MSP). The case studies represent highly complex marine environments (with great insularity, extended coastlines, formation of gulfs, etc.), where an unusually high number of national and local stakeholders are involved. Following the lessons learnt, the paper argues that (1) local governments (regions and municipalities) should have a more meaningful involvement in the MSP process that is currently a task mainly addressed by central government, and (2) certain competencies and licensing of marine activities and infrastructure can be transferred to the local governments. This paper also argues that MSP should also be performed at the local scale, where planning has a more regulatory nature and land–sea interactions can be addressed. Useful steps to achieve the above are as follows: (a) establishment of (regional) networks engaging coastal and insular regions and municipalities sharing the same (local) sea in the MSP process, and (b) establishment of local stakeholder networks having the same agendas and priorities at sea. Engaging regional and municipal authorities, as well as local stakeholders in a more fundamental way, is of paramount importance because at this (local) level, citizen science and ocean literacy prevail and can be of great use to the MSP process.