Ocean multi-use for the transition to sustainable energy and aquaculture developments in the Mediterranean Sea

The suitability of the Mediterranean Sea for offshore wind and wave energy, aquaculture, and multi-use developments is examined considering the human and environmental dimensions. The human dimension analysed marine renewable energy, aquaculture and multi-use developments, and described the current cumulative impact of existing marine uses and activities on marine ecosystems. A Suitability Index was applied to assess technical, structural, operational, and biological factors for wind and wave energy and aquaculture developments across 3632 cells in the Mediterranean (0.2°). Aquaculture potential was evaluated for 22 species, selected based on their farming history, biomass, economic importance and future market potential. The environmental dimension analysed the marine protected areas and biodiversity conservation status. The study highlights that seventeen Mediterranean countries have potential for multi-use development, but southern countries have a unique advantage in combining wind, wave and aquaculture. However, it also underscores a limited ecological capacity of these regions to tolerate additional anthropogenic activities. One of the main challenges when developing new activities in complex socio-ecological systems, such as the Mediterranean, is ensuring biodiversity conservation. Thus, the main contribution of this study is to provide interested parties and administrations with the necessary information and criteria for informed decision-making, guided by precautionary and preventive principles. The results of this study can be visualized in the following link: https://msp.ihcantabria.com/#/tool.