Brussels, 20/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - What is the best way to relieve the many pressures on Europe's coastal and maritime areas? Is there a need for EU action on maritime spatial planning and integrated coastal management to protect this reservoir so rich in biodiversity and opportunities for economic development, leisure activities and living, yet, at the same time, so fragile? The European Commission wants to gather the points of view of all interested persons and organisations. Thus, it is holding a public hearing to discuss options for future EU action to ensure sustainable development along Europe's shores, at the Committee of the Regions on 30 May. This hearing (for which participants must register on-line by 13 May) complements the online public consultation which will run for a further month, until 20 May.
The questions put to the discussion relate to the main issues and prospects of maritime spatial planning and integrated coastal management and the best ways forward. The Commission will decide whether or not there is any need to propose EU initiatives in these areas before the end of the year.
Transparent planning and management of European waters are needed to balance the interests at play against sustaining the long-term benefit of coastal and marine resources to society. The Commission has already produced guidelines to encourage transparency, predictability, coherence and stability of maritime spatial planning activities in Europe, in the interest of sustainable economic growth. But so far there are only a few cases where member states, either on their own or in cross-border cooperation, have implemented coordinated coastal and maritime spatial planning systems.
With increasing pressures from urbanisation, tourism and the effects of climate change, problems are more acute in coastal waters and adjacent coastal land. These areas are facing serious problems of habitat destruction, water contamination, coastal erosion and resource depletion. The lack of coordination between multiple development plans for coastal areas hinders efficient investment decisions and optimal allocation of space. The European Commission says it has been working since the 1990s to identify and promote measures to remedy this deterioration and improve the overall situation. The EU has recommended that coastal member states set up comprehensive strategies to ensure sustainable coastal development along their shores, an approach known as Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM). In September 2010, the EU adopted an international protocol to reduce pressures in the Mediterranean - the first significant step towards developing international legislation for Integrated Coastal Zone Management. http://www.ec.europa.eu/yourvoice/ipm/forms/dispatch?form=MAREENV&lang=en (A.N./transl.rt)