This course explores marine/maritime spatial planning (MSP), its relationship with other integrated ocean governance approaches, the process for developing a marine spatial plan and how to use a marine spatial plan. It explores the definition and elements of an effective MSP from a theoretical perspective and then looks to present how these theoretical approaches get delivered through the MSP process.

The importance of marine spatial planning (MSP) will be explored and there will be learning activities to support the understanding of MSP, how to develop a marine spatial plan, and how to use MSP for good decision making. The importance of setting the scene for plan development, inclusive stakeholder engagement and gender considerations, transboundary aspects, and robust data evidence as the base of MSP will be explored. This will include case studies from around the world of different approaches to MSP development and use of marine spatial plans.

Learning outcomes

Learners will be able to demonstrate the following skills upon completion:

• Identify and understand the global definition of marine/maritime spatial planning (MSP), its elements, benefits, and role within ocean governance.
• Apply the MSP principles and approach within daily marine management operations, in alignment with IOC-UNESCO’s guidelines such as the MSPglobal International Guide on MSP.
• Use tools and techniques that are relevant for MSP practitioners, including practicing stakeholder engagement, assessment for MSP and use of marine plans in decision making.

Course content

The module and lesson structure is based on easy-to-read text, figures and video interviews with MSP experts explaining concepts as well as presentation of case studies. The course is divided into the following modules:

• Module 1: What is Marine/Maritime Spatial Planning?
• Module 2: Delivering Marine/Maritime Spatial Planning
• Module 3: How do you use a Marine/Maritime Spatial Plan?

Target audience

All marine management professionals interested in MSP.

Language of instruction

English

Certificate

This is a self-taught course that includes quizzes designed to help learners assess their own learning at regular intervals. In order to successfully complete the course and award a Certificate at the end, the following is mandatory:

• complete all lessons in each Module of the course; and
• complete all quizzes (70% minimum score for each quiz, maximum 2 attempts for each quiz, 30 minutes time limit for each attempt).

Feedback survey 

At the end of the course, you will be asked to fill out a feedback survey. This information will be used to improve future courses. Note: submitting the course feedback survey is mandatory to obtain the course certificate.

Course duration

The course will be available online between 25 September 2024 and 30 December 2025. The estimated time to complete the self-paced course is approximately 20 hours.

Prerequisites

No previous knowledge or experience in MSP is required. However, any previous knowledge or experience about any planning or marine management processes will be useful.

How to enrol

Please register on the OceanExpert website (www.oceanexpert.org). Once your OceanExpert account is approved (this is not done immediately), you can self-enrol in the course. If you already have an OceanExpert account, you can self-enrol in the course using your OceanExpert username and password. Enrolment is available until 15 December 2025.

• Step 1. Log in OceanTeacher, then access the course page
• Step 2. Click on self-enrolment. The enrolment key for the course is: MSPglobal2025

The self-paced course will be open until 30 December 2025 (23:59 CEST: Central European Time).

UNESCO is committed to promoting equal access principles. Applications from minority or underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged.

Contacts

For any questions please contact the OTGA Secretariat (ioc.training@unesco.org) always using the name of the course as the email subject.

There are no tuition fees.