How can spatial planning be improved to promote the development of the aquaculture sector?
On Friday, June 30, Blå Mat's Fredrik Gröndahl and Gunilla Rosenqvist will participate in the seminar "How can spatial planning be improved to promote the development of the aquaculture sector?". Aquaculture is an important part of the blue economy and a sustainable transition of the food sector. Today, municipalities are expected to plan for the sea but lack mandates and tools. How can more active and effective planning be designed to boost aquaculture in Sweden?
State marine plans deal with areas far from the coast. However, in the coastal zone, it is the municipality that must prepare plans for use. Experience from municipalities that have done this shows that the plans are of no significance when it comes to, for example, granting permits for aquaculture. Why should municipalities spend resources on drawing up plans if they do not ultimately have any impact on how the coastal zone is used? Is there something wrong with the county administrative boards' permit processes or the municipalities' plans? How should the authorities work in the future to enable the ecosystem-based marine management that everyone is talking about?