Introduction: Marine spatial planning in the age of offshore energy

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book explores the utility and underpinning rationale of marine spatial planning and describes how marine spatial planning can provide an integrated framework that brings together and guides sectoral management. It also explores the displacement of existing uses and focuses on the fishing community as the sector most directly and detrimentally affected. The book considers the often under-appreciated cultural ecosystem service of seascapes, and how offshore energy development can affect them. It examines and illustrates that the stakeholder participation is central to marine spatial planning and to achieving effective and 'optimal' plans. The book discusses that the ways in which offshore energy companies and conservation groups can develop mutually beneficial working relationships around the shared objective of reduced risks. It also considers potential co-location opportunities between offshore energy and fisheries, both wild capture and aquaculture.