As all other coastal EU countries, Belgium was obliged to prepare a detailed Maritime Spatial Plan and submit it to the EU as part of the MSP Directive. The aim is to balance and provide space for potentially competing uses of the Sea, from tourism to shipping, conservation and offshore energy. In the current version of the Belgian Maritime Spatial Plan, the use of waters around marina were as "multiuse", which resulted in being half-blocked by aquaculture and a partially restricted military shooting exclusion zone. Other obstacles might take the form of offshore energy structures. Recently, however, the Flemish Boating Federation has been lobbying on this. A consultation was now opened by the Belgian Federal Government with the proposal to include a 6nm clear zone outside the marina for recreational boating use. No new physical structures could be placed there. Many other new elements are proposed, such as three new marine nature reserve. The new plan must be approved by 2026 with the consultation open until end-August.

With thanks to EBI’s sustaining member, TransEurope Marinas and the Flemish Boating Federation for this important update. Further information on this best practice can be shared further. More information can be found in French and Dutch here.