Brussels, 13/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - The aim of the draft directive the European Commission adopted on Wednesday 13 March is to improve the planning of maritime activities at sea and the management of coastal areas. The proposal seeks to establish a common European framework for maritime spatial planning and integrated coastal management in EU member states, with a view to ensuring that the growth of maritime and coastal activities and the use of resources at sea and on coasts remain sustainable. European Commissioner for maritime Affairs and Fisheries Maria Damanaki said that this involved “a new tool for our Blue Growth Strategy. By facilitating sustainable development and investments at sea, the directive will contribute to make real the potential of Europe's Blue Economy for growth and jobs”.
Human and economic activities, such as offshore wind energy, submarine cable and pipeline routes, shipping, fishing and aquaculture, are increasing in marine waters and coastal areas, but the Commission points out that there is too little coordination, which can lead to competition for space and pressure on valuable resources. The proposed action will require member states to map these activities in maritime spatial plans in order to make more efficient use of seas, and develop coastal management strategies that will coordinate measures across the different policy areas that apply to activities in coastal zones. Respecting the minimum requirements proposed by the directive, means that member states will need to ensure that their maritime planning and coastal management supports sustainable growth, while involving relevant stakeholders and cooperating with neighbouring states.
According to the Commission, coherent application of maritime spatial planning and integrated coastal management should improve coordination between land- and sea-based activities. It also emphasises that better coordination would bring benefits in areas such as, for example, the connection of offshore wind installations to energy grids on land.
One-stop-shop. The Commission also explained that using a single instrument to balance all interests should also increase certainty for investors and reduce the administrative burden for national administrations and operators, while preserving ecosystem services. Currently, in some countries, several different administrative agencies have to be contacted before receiving the permit for an aquaculture site. With the one-stop-shop principle proposed in the directive, such administrative complexity will be done away with and time and money will be saved. It is estimated that increased business certainty and cutting red tape will lead to economic benefits of up to €1.6 billion across the EU, particularly for SMEs. Studies have also shown that, for example, the acceleration of investment in wind farm and aqua farm activity could generate between €60 million for one year's acceleration and €600 million for three years' acceleration by 2020. (OL/transl.fl)