The area shows some specific characteristics in terms of biodiversity and marine resources , but also shares common human activities with other European regions. Human activity is intense and diverse, characterised by holding some specific economic activities such as red seaweed extraction.
Wave energy converters, wind farms and aquaculture is being foreseen for the area. This leads to conflicts between key uses and activities in the Basque continental shelf.
In 2007 a spatial management plan was approved by the Basque Government Council. The plan aims to become a decisive instrument, not only to protect and manage Basque sea, but the Basque coast as a whole, by optimising the optimize the coordination of planning actions on the coastal and terrestrial environment. This to maximise the efficiency to preserve the environment.