Marine spatial planning and the risk of ocean grabbing in the tropical Atlantic

Ocean grabbing occurs when traditional users, such as small-scale fishers, are pushed aside by new development activities. This grabbing must be prevented to avoid sea uses that maintain or increase social inequity. In this paper, we show that in tropical Atlantic countries, such as Brazil and Senegal, examples of ocean grabbing already occur. In this context, we analyse if Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) may be an opportunity to limit ocean grabbing or, to the contrary, poses a risk to increase it. MSP calls for an ecosystem approach that requires integrated coastal and marine management and involves stakeholders in developing a shared vision of the future, where society and environment are preserved. However, recent studies have shown that MSP is a process to be used cautiously to ensure equitable decisions. Meanwhile, the concept is spreading worldwide including in tropical Atlantic countries. We highlight that context matters and the specificities of the tropical Atlantic must be taken into account when deploying MSP processes. In the tropical Atlantic context, there is increased imbalances of stakeholder power, traps from decision support tools, and a need for adaptive management. These specific features must be addressed when deploying MSP in a way to avoid ocean grabbing.

Automated summary

Ocean grabbing, where traditional users are pushed aside by new development activities, must be prevented to maintain social equity. In tropical Atlantic countries like Brazil and Senegal, examples of ocean grabbing already exist. Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) could be an opportunity to prevent ocean grabbing, but also poses risks of increasing it. It requires caution to ensure equitable decisions and should take into account the specificities of the tropical Atlantic context.