Ecosystem-based marine spatial management: review of concepts, policies, tools, and critical issues

Conventional sectoral management and piecemeal governance are considered less and less appropriate
in pursuit of sustainable development. Ecosystem based marine spatial management (EB-MSM) is an
approach that recognizes the full array of interactions within an ecosystem, including human uses, rather
than considering single issues, species, or ecosystem services in isolation. Marine spatial planning and
ocean zoning are emerging concepts that can support EB-MSM. EB-MSM is driven by high-level goals
that managers aim to achieve through the implementation of measures. High-level goals and objectives
need to be translated into more operational objectives before specific targets, limits and measures can be
elaborated.