Geographical information systems, remote sensing, zoning are all spatial planning tools that can facilitate the implementation of integrated marine and coastal area management.

The use of spatial planning tools for marine capture fisheries and aquaculture, indeed, can greatly help in the identification, analysis and possible allocation of specific geographical areas to be used for marine capture fisheries and aquaculture, particularly in those countries that have limited natural resources which are in high demand by competing users. Spatial tools can also simplify the process of farm site selection for aquaculture and can match other demands on the marine space.

Aware of the key role that credible and timely information on biological, statistical and institutional aspects, including spatial distribution, play to improve the application of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture management and planning practices, the Regional Commission for Fisheries (RECOFI) held a Regional Technical Workshop on Spatial Planning for Marine Capture Fisheries and Aquaculture in 2010, creating awareness and building capacity among member countries as well as resulting in the proposal of a Regional Programme for Implementing a Strategy on Spatial Planning.

This preliminary work has created solid and sound basis for a complete capacity development program outline to use spatial tools in fisheries and aquaculture management and planning.

Within this context RECOFI is holding a regional workshop that will bring together sectoral experts from the eight Member Countries to discuss and finalise a draft proposal of a regional spatial planning development programme . The draft proposal, will be submitted and discussed during the Seventh Session of RECOFI to be held in May 2013.