Mariparks: Derisking entrepreneurship and the sustainable blue economy

Workshop Summary

This workshop will bring together industry leaders, experts, and stakeholders to strategise on upscaling ocean multi-use solutions. Participants will explore market opportunities, investment strategies, and practical solutions to enhance the economic viability of multi-use ocean projects in the most optimal form: a Maripark.

Context

Maripark zones are designated areas in the marine spatial plan suitable for multiple (economic and scientific) activities and accommodating multi-use as a basic principle. Moving away from the traditional single-use approach is necessary if we want to optimally use the scarce space at sea, address the energy and food transition, and combat the biodiversity crisis and climate change.

The Maripark concept was created to stimulate innovation, facilitate procedures, and achieve economic growth. Additionally, it acts as a stepping stone towards large-scale nature restoration. It supports entrepreneurs who want to develop innovative and sustainable economic activities at sea in a scientifically substantiated manner. Current barriers for entrepreneurs include infrastructure presence, such as buoys, and services, such as monitoring, data management, and safety and security provisions. They also arise within policy: long and complicated licensing procedures can be simplified with this concept. The Maripark creates a 'one-stop shop' for entrepreneurs, offering collectively managed infrastructure, services, and administrative simplification: one permit for various activities. Conversely, the government can also encourage blue economy sectors to move away from single-use projects by integrating multiple space use as a basic requirement. In this way, more developed sectors can also incorporate new innovations.