Marine Management Organisation engages students with innovative board game on coastal planning

We recently hosted the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) for an engaging and educational experience designed to immerse students in the complexities of modern marine management. The event featured a unique role-playing tabletop board game that explored the challenges faced in planning and managing installations in coastal waters.

Around twelve students participated in the game, joining MMO representatives Ellie Hoad and James Roper, both part of the MMO’s Marine Planning team. The game’s objective was to plan, discuss, and approve the placement and purpose of various installations in coastal areas. Throughout the game, participants took on the roles of stakeholders with competing priorities, such as fisheries, dredging site representatives, utility providers, conservationists, energy producers, and tourism operators.

One of the key aspects of the game was navigating the conflicting interests of these stakeholders. For example, players representing dredging sites and underwater cable installations found their objectives in opposition. As a result, they had to negotiate and form partnerships with other stakeholders to access sites that aligned with their goals.

The game fostered an environment of active discussion, negotiation, and compromise, encouraging students to consider the broader needs of the community while achieving their priorities. The timed nature of the game added extra intensity, pushing students to make quick decisions while maintaining thoughtful dialogue. As the game reached its final moments, last-minute trades and negotiations sparked lively exchanges, making for an exciting and dynamic experience.

The Marine Spatial Challenge Game, created by a company in the Netherlands, was commissioned by the MMO to deliver a tailored version for Cardiff University students. The game is a valuable tool used by the MMO to engage with a wide range of stakeholders who have different uses for the marine environment. For further information on the game, visit The Board Game.

In addition to the game, students were treated to a thought-provoking presentation by Ellie Hoad and James Roper from the MMO’s Marine Planning team. The presentation highlighted the wide range of career roles available in marine management, showcasing how different professions contribute to the health of our oceans. The session also featured insights from Dr. Rhoda Ballinger, Chair of the Severn Estuary Partnership and Honorary Lecturer at the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, who shared her expertise on coastal and marine conservation.

We would like to express our gratitude to the Marine Management Organisation for their invaluable contribution to the event. The knowledge and experience shared will undoubtedly enhance our students’ understanding of marine management and provide valuable skills for their future careers—both in academia and beyond their degrees.

Follow the MMO on LinkedIn via Marine Management Organisation: Posts | LinkedIn for further updates.