From maritime scholarship to marine governance: Academic contributions to marine spatial planning in Spain

Abstract

This paper traces the evolution of marine spatial planning (MSP) in Spain, from early geographical reflections on the territoriality of the sea to the institutional implementation of legally binding marine spatial plans. Building on the tradition of maritime geography, Spanish scholarship conceptualized the ocean as a political and spatial domain long before MSP emerged as a formal policy tool. The paper situates this intellectual lineage within the Europeanization of marine policy and the establishment of the Planes de Ordenación del Espacio Marítimo (POEMs) in 2023. By combining theoretical, cartographic, and administrative perspectives, it highlights how Spain’s trajectory exemplifies the convergence between academic innovation and policy implementation. The analysis underscores both the achievements and the ongoing challenges of developing a coherent, adaptive framework for marine governance in a multilevel European context.