Abstract
Marine spatial planning is growing in use as a tool to aid management efforts in coastal and ocean systems. In this exercise, we briefly review the history and rationale behind marine spatial planning and consider its relationship to and use in ecosystem-based management. We then outline an activity that introduces students to marine spatial planning through the use of SeaSketch (training-barbuda.seasketch.org). SeaSketch is a web-based program that allows users to create, analyze, and compare how marine protected areas and networks contribute to achieving conservation goals. Building on the use of SeaSketch to engage stakeholders in the creation of reserve networks off the island of Barbuda, students use a SeaSketch training environment to create networks of marine protected areas that meet habitat protection goals and consider how these networks impact local species and human fishing value. After creating and analyzing individual networks, students engage in small- and largegroup discussions to consider and compare alternative plans and decide on final choices. At each of these levels, students can compare their chosen plans to the zoning regulations that were approved in Barbuda.