A flow of key information links marine spatial planning (MSP) and oil spill risk analysis (OSRA), two distinct
processes needed to achieve true sustainable management of coastal and marine areas. OSRA
informs MSP on areas of high risk to oil spills allowing a redefinition of planning objectives and the relocation
of activities to increase the ecosystem’s overall utility and resilience. Concomitantly, MSP continuously
generates a large amount of data that is vital to OSRA. The Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI)
mapping system emerges as an operational tool to implement the MSP–OSRA link. Given the high level of
commonalities between ESI and MSP data (both in biophysical and human dimensions), ESI tools (both
paper maps and dynamic GIS-based product) are easily developed to further inform MSP and oil spill risk
management. Finally, several other benefits from implementing the MSP–OSRA link are highlighted