Managing Risk Through Marine Spatial Planning

Abstract

Governance and management are inherently risk management processes. In a management context, risk is related to the uncertainties of achieving set objectives. Risk assessment is used to identify and analyse risks in terms of likelihood and consequences. This chapter relates risk to the process of developing a maritime spatial plan. Risk may arise from not identifying and understanding the risks perceived by stakeholders, from not having specific goals and objectives or from unclear structures and decision-making rules. For the plan itself, risks are related to not having adequate spatial allocation for activities to achieve set objectives. Risk may also be related to not having the authority needed to lead the planning process and, subsequently, implement the spatial allocation identified in the plan.