Conservation ready marine spatial planning

Marine spatial planning (MSP) often favors blue growth objectives over biodiversity conservation, diminishing its role in promoting sustainability. We used in-depth qualitative document analysis to assess how conservation principles and priorities are included in five case studies to identify a path for better integrating conservation with MSP. Five themes emerged, reflecting conservation in MSP from weak to strong inclusion: (1) prioritizing economy; (2) ecosystems as limits; (3) social-ecological systems; (4) ecosystems as functional; and (5) ecosystems as fundamental. Our analysis suggests MSP priorities for managing or mitigating impacts and conservation was less apparent, though some plans appear more prepared to integrate conservation. We propose the concept of conservation ready MSP, where plans are designed to integrate conservation in MSP as a way to support sustained ocean use. MSP may be more conservation ready when specific commitments are made and conservation underpins ocean use, reflecting the fundamental role of biodiversity conservation in sustainability.