The Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development (VARAM) has taken a significant step towards updating Latvia's Marine Plan, holding the 15th meeting of the Marine and Coastal Spatial Planning Coordination Group on March 17, 2025. This meeting initiated the crucial process of incorporating the latest scientific data into the plan's amendments, emphasizing an ecosystem-based approach to sustainable marine planning.

Key highlights included presentations by researchers on the latest findings from the LIFE REEF project and the updated Marine Environment Assessment. These studies provided critical insights into benthic habitats, fish populations, and overall marine environmental trends, along with a socio-economic assessment of the Baltic Sea.

Discussions focused on identifying the necessary environmental and ecosystem data to inform the Marine Plan amendments, considering diverse sectors such as national defense, energy, transport, fisheries, tourism, and public interests. Participants stressed the need for ongoing research to build a comprehensive understanding of marine processes.

The next Coordination Group meeting, scheduled for May 2025, will delve into the current relevance of sectoral priorities within the Marine Plan.

For more information on past meetings, please visit the Marine and Coastal Spatial Planning Coordination Group section on the VARAM website.