Abstract
Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) is evolving from a basic ocean-zoning tool into a strategic public policy instrument that translates Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA)—detailed knowledge of subsurface environments—into coordinated governance to balance ecological protection, security, and economic use. This research note argues that while global frameworks like UNCLOS, SDG 14, and initiatives in the Indo-Pacific and India promote MSP, significant gaps remain, including fragmented governance, exclusion of local communities, technological and data deficits, funding shortages, weak legal protections, and limited public awareness. To address these, the paper calls for integrated national laws, international cooperation, advanced monitoring technologies, adaptive planning, and inclusive, culturally sensitive approaches to ensure sustainable and secure ocean governance in a rapidly changing world.
