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Ireland’s Marine Spatial Plan
Marine spatial planning brings ocean users together to make informed, coordinated decisions about the sustainable use of marine resources. It considers current conditions and future spatial demands. The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE) is Ireland’s competent authority for marine spatial planning. Ireland’s plan is the National Marine Planning Framework (NMPF).
Designated Maritime Area Plans
We support these plans through technical expertise, including data acquisition, data collation, and GIS analysis.
The SouthCoast Designated Maritime Area Plan is Ireland’s first forward spatial plan for offshore renewable energy. It identifies four maritime areas in the Irish Celtic Sea where future fixed offshore wind projects may be located.
The National Designated Maritime Area Plan for Offshore Renewable Energy will provide a spatial planning policy framework, including spatial designations. We provide technical services to DCEE to support its delivery.
How we support marine spatial planning
Our technical and scientific services connect planning processes with relevant knowledge and expertise.
Scientific information and advice
We provide access to scientific information, marine data, and expert advice for informed planning decisions.
Outreach and education
We work with educators, students, and schools to improve understanding of marine spatial planning and sustainable resource management.
Research and collaboration
We carry out and fund research while participating in national and international marine-planning partnerships.
Data and evidence
Evidence for informed planning
We identify, collate, and analyse national and international data, then evaluate its relevance and quality for marine spatial planning.
Environmental and ecological data
Evidence includes biodiversity, species, food webs, seafloor integrity, marine litter, and hydrographical conditions.
Maritime uses and activities
Planning evidence covers maritime transport, fishing, aquaculture, and renewable energy activity.
Socioeconomic and cultural data
Relevant information includes coastal populations, unemployment, tourism, and shipwrecks.
Governance, management, and legal data
Protected sites and restricted areas provide important context for marine planning decisions.
Physical and geophysical data
Bathymetry, geology, atmospheric pressure, and wave information describe physical conditions in the maritime area.
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Additional evidence references
These organisations provide information relevant to maritime activity, protected sites, and restricted areas.
View all documentsReferences
Digital tools useful for marine spatial planning
Use these services to explore marine data, maps, economic indicators, literature, funding information, and planning activity.
Marine Institute Data Catalogue
Find marine datasets and metadata available from the Marine Institute.
Ireland’s Marine Atlas
View and download marine environmental data through a publicly accessible Geographic Information System.
Ireland’s Ocean Economy Dashboard
Explore turnover, Gross Value Added, employment, and trends across Ireland’s marine sectors.
Marine Institute Oceanus Library
Search scientific literature relating to marine and freshwater resources.
European Maritime and Fisheries Fund
View information about the EU fund for maritime and fisheries policies for 2014–2020.
South Coast DMAP Storymap
Follow the decision process used to designate sites for the South Coast Designated Maritime Area Plan.
Marineplan.ie
Access the Government of Ireland web-map portal for marine planning.
Outreach and education
Learn about marine spatial planning
Our initiatives help students, educators, and schools understand how marine spatial planning supports sustainable marine resource management.
Explorers MSP Module
The 2025 module provides online resources for educators and an interactive Digital Marine Maps platform for students and teachers.
Third-level lectures
We deliver guest lectures for students taking relevant third-level courses. Email marineplanning@marine.ie for more information.
Secondary-school visits
We offer visits to secondary schools that want to learn more about marine spatial planning. Email marineplanning@marine.ie for more information.
Research and international collaboration
- the Technical Expert Group on Data for MSP
- the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea Working Group on Marine Planning and Coastal Zone Management, WGMPCZM
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Planning references and resources
Use these plans, policy resources, evidence services, education materials, and maps for further information.
View all documentsNational Marine Planning Framework
Read the Government’s goals and planning policies for activities in Ireland’s marine area.
SouthCoast Designated Maritime Area Plan
Review Ireland’s first forward spatial plan for offshore renewable energy.
National Designated Maritime Area Plan for Offshore Renewable Energy
Review information about the national spatial planning policy framework for offshore renewable energy.
Marine Strategy Framework Directive
Access Marine Institute information about the Marine Strategy Framework Directive and marine environmental evidence.
Marine Protected Areas
Find Government information about Marine Protected Areas in Ireland.
Fisheries and Ecosystems
Access information about fisheries and ecosystem evidence relevant to maritime uses and activities.
Aquaculture
Access Marine Institute information about aquaculture activity and supporting evidence.
INFOMAR
Explore Ireland’s national seabed-mapping programme and its physical and geophysical data.
Marine Institute Oceanus Library
Access the Oceanus Library’s collection of scientific literature on marine and freshwater resources.
Explorers MSP Module
Access Marine Spatial Planning education resources developed for educators and children.
Digital Marine Maps platform
Use an interactive map designed to make complex marine data accessible to students and teachers.
Contact the marine planning team
Contact us about marine spatial planning research, education, school visits, or third-level lectures.