The concept of ocean multi-use emerged two decades ago in Europe as a response to challenges resulting from the increased intensification and diversification of human activities at sea. It is defined as the intentional joint use of resources in close geographic proximity. Multi-use can cover a multitude of combinations between marine uses, from the association of wind and wave energy technologies to the reconversion of decommissioned oil and gas platforms, right through to fishing-based tourism or aquaculture or fishing within offshore wind farms.
The 11 Blueprints presented in this report provide a state-of-the-art overview of multi-use developments worldwide. These cases have been selected out of 28 multi-use solutions identified by MULTI-FRAME partners during the project. The compilation of this series of marine use combinations relied on an exploratory and pragmatic approach comprising the analysis of available data, literature, and empirical knowledge. It provides a snapshot of multi-use diversity to provide a better understanding of how this concept is and can be applied in different environments and different regions of the world. Not only do these cases involve different marine uses, but also a wide spectrum of functional, spatial, governance, and temporal relationships between activities. Six cases are located in Europe, where multi-use was coined, three in North America, and one in South America.
