Increasing consumer demands and improvements in technology, coupled with population growth, have increased dependence on marine resources. It is necessary to find a balance between economic development, social needs and environmental sustainability in the use and management of the ocean. Given these situations, the rational and scientific use of the ocean has become a major challenge for all countries and coastal regions of the world, and Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) has become a valuable and effective tool to achieve these goals. Thus, this article aims to present proposals for strategic initiatives for the Brazilian management of coastal and adjacent oceanic environments to make MSP viable. The models, experiences and practices of MSP adopted in other countries were analyzed, proposals and methodologies for managing conflicts of marine uses and activities were identified, the federal legal basis in Brazil and a semi-structured interview with a focus group of experts was applied. As a result, proposals were identified to be incorporated into national legislation, such as the adoption of a directive based on that adopted by European Community countries or the IOC-UNESCO guide, the adoption of financial tools to support the implementation of the MSP, the interaction of the planning and implementation of the MSP with public policies for coastal management, the pre-establishment of zoning rules for the use of maritime spaces, the identification of parameters to be adopted in determining the prevailing use or activity in cases of conflicts of uses or activities, and the establishment of a methodology that strengthens cooperation and social participation. It is concluded that the implementation of the MSP in Brazil faces a series of complex challenges, but that there are opportunities for the adoption of proposals for the Brazilian management of coastal and adjacent oceanic environments.
