Marine Planning & Policy
From MPA designation to marine spatial planning and regulatory support, we bring technical rigour and on-the-ground pragmatism to processes that need both.
Marine Protected Area (MPA) Designation & Management
Effective MPAs are designed with ecological ambition and social realism in equal measure. We support the full designation process — from priority area identification using ecological and socio-economic analysis, through the design of adaptive management plans with zoning, use regulations, and monitoring frameworks, to implementation support and long-term evaluation.
Support for the full MPA process, from area identification and management planning to implementation, monitoring, and long-term evaluation.
Marine Spatial Planning (MSP)
Marine spaces are increasingly contested — fisheries, energy, conservation, aquaculture, and tourism all competing for the same water. We provide technical and advisory support to MSP processes: spatial analysis of marine use conflicts, ecological sensitivity mapping, scenario modelling, and guidance on how to structure plans that are both legally sound and practically enforceable.
Technical and advisory support for organising marine uses through spatial analysis, sensitivity mapping, and practical planning guidance.
Stakeholder Engagement & Participatory Processes
Marine governance depends on the buy-in of those it affects. We design and facilitate stakeholder engagement processes that bring together fishing communities, government bodies, conservation organisations, and private sector actors — creating the conditions for decisions that are durable because they are genuinely shared.
Design and facilitation of participatory processes that bring together communities, authorities, NGOs, and private sector actors.
Policy & Regulatory Support
We assist decision-makers in translating scientific evidence into actionable policy — preparing technical reports, reviewing regulatory frameworks, and providing expert input to consultation processes. This includes support for bodies working under regional fisheries management organisations (RFMOs), national fisheries authorities, and international conservation agreements.
Expert support to translate scientific evidence into policy, technical reports, regulatory reviews, and consultation processes.
Our Projects
Marine Spatial Planning & Fisheries Pressure Analysis — Ireland
A marine conservation initiative in Ireland was developing proposals for a network of Marine Protected Areas along the Irish coast. The ecological case was strong — cetacean sighting surveys had identified areas of high biodiversity value — but the proposals lacked a layer of human use data that regulators and the fishing sector would inevitably scrutinise.
Vekamar integrated Irish fishing effort data with cetacean occurrence records and other anthropogenic pressure indicators to build a more complete picture of each proposed area. The analysis allowed stakeholders to assess where conservation objectives and fishing activity overlapped, where conflicts were manageable, and where designation would require the most careful stakeholder engagement. The result was a spatial evidence base that strengthened the MPA proposals and gave the initiative a more credible foundation for the regulatory process ahead.
Let’s Work Together!
Looking for reliable expertise in sustainable fisheries, marine conservation, or certification processes? Get in touch with our team to explore tailored solutions for your organization.