The main aim of the project is the delivery and the synthesis of the scientific knowledge on the use and possible impacts of use functions in order to formulate a first proposal of possible optimal allocations of all relevant use functions in the BPNS in the framework of its sustainable management. It can therefore be divided into three main steps:
- the making of an accessible and scientific knowledge module
- the making of impact maps
- a first proposal for optimal allocation
(1) The knowledge module should be scientifically valid, dynamic and easily accessible for decision makers.
It should embrace the current state of knowledge about the BPNS. This knowledge encompasses:
- physical characteristics
- ecological characteristics
- current and potential marine use functions such as historical (where relevant such as wrecks),
- present (shipping, fisheries, civil engineering, tourism and recreation, sand and gravel
- extraction, dredging and dumping, cables and pipelines, off-shore bunkering and military use) and future (aquaculture, energy production, nature protection,...)
and - legal and jurisdictional characteristics
(2) Possible impacts of the different marine use functions on the economic, environmental and social functioning of the system should be synthesised into maps that are scientifically valid, dynamic and easily accessible for decision makers.
(3) A first proposal for an optimal allocation of relevant use functions should be agreed upon taking into account:
- an equilibrium between economic, environmental and social requierements that live within society
- sustainability without compromising the future generations
- a sufficiently wide public support and participation
- different relevant principles, opportunities and restraints for action such as the ecosystem approach, the precautionary principle, the principle of prevention, the principle of solidarity, the principle of social justice, the principle of participation and the principle of subsidiarity
- nationally and internationally defined priorities and policy guidelines such as the 5th CONSSO, the Kyoto protocol, the OSPAR commission, the Convention on Biological Diversity, EU, UNEP, the Federal Plan for Sustainable Development 2000-2004 with its chapter on Marine Environment,...
The four partners went through these steps using an interdisciplinary network approach:
