Socio-Economic Analytical Frameworks for Marine Spatial Planning: Evaluating Tools and Methodologies for Sustainable Decision Making

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Dear authors,

I congratulate you for the proposed research article.

I consider that you have done a tremendous job to present a systematization of the most important models to, using your words: "provide a comprehensive analytical framework for understanding and developing appropriate socioeconomic instruments and analyses used to estimate the economic effects associated with Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP)" 

Moreover, I consider that you not just present these models in a very systemic way, but also explain very well their application context, which is also very good.

Despite this merit of your research, however, I consider that the paper must be critically restructured, according to the following principles:

1- If your idea ends in the presentation of a systematic review of literature regarding those models, the paper must follow the structure of a systematic literature review paper, and the proper methodology;

2- If your idea is to discuss the applicability of the models considered, then the paper must be also restructured accordingly, and your methodology must identify the problem you want to address and the empirical domain where you want to apply your research results.

In either situations, I consider that you need to decide whether you pretend to develop a systematic literature review, or if you prefer to develop an empirical research, applied to some specific maritime area, and framework and, in their application, support the use of a specific model from those presented.

As it is, I consider that the readers will reach the end of the paper without understanding its added value besides systematizing those existing models for MSP.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

I consider English is in line with requirements. However, authors should consider a final review by an English Speaking person (if it is not their case).

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The paper analyzes Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) that allows analyzing the relationship between marine and coastal ecosystems and integrating socioeconomic aspects and evaluating the economic impacts in its two important aspects: cost and benefit.  The objective of this is to develop instruments to analyze the economic effects on MSP. It has correctly used the databases of different international organizations. On the other hand, the method is fine and correct.

It is a theoretical study that is well developed, but it would be good to have a practical application and analyze it with other studies such as the following

Economics in Marine Spatial Planning: A Review of Issues in British Columbia and Similar Jurisdictions

 Ibrahim Issifu; Dahmouni, Ilyass; García-Lorenzo, Iria; U Rashid Sumaila.  Sustainability; Basel Tomo 16, N.º 3,  (2024): 1210.

 

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Even if it seems like a valuable study, the article does not respect the structure of a scientific article recommended by the journal, which makes the study very difficult to follow and evaluate. Please restructure the article according to the journal's specifications and re-upload it.

Author Response

Please see the attachment

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

This is more a review article than an empirical research study and the authors should decide and highlight this more precisely and consistently. The study is largely based on the observations and data of other authors rather than on the authors' own data or observations.

The paragraph between lines 144 and 152 must be restructured according with the new structure and numbering of the article.