Brussels, 03/12/2012 (Agence Europe) - A maritime strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian seas will be introduced in 2013. This strategy will be similar to those for the Atlantic and Baltic seas. An action plan will be elaborated by stakeholders from Italy, Slovenia, Greece and Croatia, to develop the blue economy for this maritime region. The strategy will be launched during a conference in Zagreb, Croatia, on 6 December.
The European Commissioner maritime affairs and fisheries, Maria Damanaki, presented a draft strategy for the region on Monday 3 December. She believes that given the increased levels of traffic in these maritime areas, “preserving the marine habitats and ensuring the sustainable development of the region will be challenging - and it is a challenge that we need to prepare for. I look forward to the input of all interested parties on this and to developing together a detailed plan for future action”. The main thrust of the strategy is to enhance trans-national cooperation between Italy, Slovenia, Greece and Croatia and between the different local, regional and national actors, as a means of providing a new boost to this maritime basin. The strategy rests on four pillars: a stronger blue economy, a healthier marine environment, a safer maritime space, and responsible fishing activities. To achieve this end, existing resources and structures will be mobilised and it will be necessary to enhance coordination between action, funding and implementation mechanisms.
Action includes the creation of maritime clusters and research networks; increasing skills and mobility of the workforce; optimising transport links, with special attention to island connectivity; supporting the sustainable development of coastal and maritime tourism; creating new jobs in aquaculture; improving waste management in coastal areas and modernising fishing activities. It builds on the Commission's Blue Growth initiative and on the “Limassol Declaration on a marine and maritime agenda for growth and jobs”, presented by the Cypriot president in October (see EUROPE 10705).
The Commission is not ruling out that this new strategy becomes a broader macro-regional plan for this maritime basin. The European Parliament is also calling for this kind of strategy to be introduced. (MD/transl.fl)