Competing uses on marine space: methodological aspects to consider in estuary management plans

Coastal and marine systems are of strategic importance as they play a crucial role in almost all biogeochemical processes that sustain the biosphere and provide a variety of goods and services which are essential to the well- b eing of mankind. Despite their value, coastal and marine systems and the services they provide are becoming increasingly vulnerable. Based on the recognition of bo th the importance and the sensitivity of marine ecosystems, maritime spatial planning emerges as an essent ial tool for sustainable deci sion-making process in the marine management. Despite being at an early stage, national and international maritime spatial planning experiences provide a feasible method that can be applied and adapted to the estuary scale. Based on that, the Vouga Estuary, in Portugal, is taken as a case study and it is proposed a four stage methodology to the Estuary Management Plans, which are a legally binding tool that materialize the territorial contiguity of spatial planning, since it focuses on transitional waters, filling the gap on the coastal and river basin interface. This exercise emphasizes, with regard to the territorial complexity, the importance of developing criteria that meet the specific objectives of the Plan, avoiding overlap with other planning and management tools