The second generation of spatial plans for the German exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the North Sea and Baltic Sea were established in 2021. Because marine nature conservation was only insufficiently taken into account in the previous plan and capacities and sites for offshore wind energy were to be expanded due to the desired transformation of the German economy, the plan had to be fundamentally rewritten using the ecosystem approach prescribed by European Union law. This has been achieved in rudimentary form at best, as shown by the analysis of the provisions of the spatial plan, particularly in the area of marine nature conservation. The science-based ecosystem approach and the precautionary principle were misunderstood. There is a lack of connectivity, open spaces and no-take areas for marine nature, which is under pressure from multiple uses in the small German EEZ. The marine protected areas (MPAs) are sufficient in terms of area, but hardly more than paper parks in terms of quality.