Brussels, 14/05/2013 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 13 May, the European Commission adopted a maritime strategy action plan for the Atlantic region.
The Commission explained that the marine and maritime sectors that make up the “blue economy” have the potential to provide 7 million jobs in Europe by 2020. These jobs will be found not only in emerging sectors, such as offshore renewable energy, but also through revitalising traditional maritime industries. The Atlantic area can make a significant contribution to this “blue growth”. The action plan explains that the environmental and ecological stability of Europe's largest and most important ecosystem also needs to be safeguarded for future generations. This Action Plan therefore sets out priorities for research and investment to drive the “blue economy” forward in the Atlantic area.
Union member states that border the Atlantic (Ireland, France, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom) have been very active at an individual level and some of them have adopted their own maritime strategy. The action plan encourages these countries to work together by sharing their information, their costs, their results and their best practices, as well as to explore other areas in which cooperation could prove beneficial.
Spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation. According to the action plan, it will be necessary to increase the Atlantic region's ability to innovate through research and technology by encouraging: - networking and co-operative research between research centres, higher education and business in the member states; - transferring knowledge and insights, as well as skills between higher education, business and research, including through regional, national and cross-border maritime clusters and technology platforms; - and enhancement of competitiveness and innovation capacities in the maritime economy of the Atlantic area.
The proposals included aim to improve skills in traditional Atlantic industries, such as shipbuilding, aquaculture and fisheries, as well as in the emerging sectors of the blue economy by (putting in place educational and training measures, including cross border programmes and mutual recognition of national education and training programmes; raising awareness of sea-related careers, generating an enthusiasm for maritime culture and careers among young people).
Support for Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is also required as well as the revitalisation of the EU's aquaculture industry through: - developing improved multi-species modelling, fishing gear and related techniques and technologies so as to minimise carbon footprint, seabed damage, discards and by-catch; - carrying out research to improve the growth, productivity, competitiveness and environmental sustainability of aquaculture (including offshore aquaculture) and the industry's ability to respond to market needs; - and improving the market position of EU-sourced fisheries and aquaculture products by improving processing, labelling, traceability and certification.
Protecting marine and coastal environment. The Commission suggests measures for reinforcing the safety and security of seafarers, coastal populations, property and ecosystems by: - evaluating and extending as necessary existing warning, reporting and response mechanisms for invasive and harmful marine species; - supporting initiatives undertaken by member states in the Atlantic, including risk assessments, coordinated response mechanisms and investments in state-of-the-art equipment that contribute appropriately to enhancing coordinated preparedness and responses to marine threats, natural disasters, marine accidents, spills of oil and hazardous material or trafficking; - developing, testing and deploying new technologies to improve the inspection of vessels and enhance the safety and security of ports and maritime transport; - helping to deliver regional sea-basin-related information services within the Common Information Sharing Environment (CISE), based on agreed EU-wide standards and experience gained by member states in pilot projects; - and exploring and protecting marine waters and coastal zones
The Commission also suggests developing a European Atlantic ocean observing and predictive capability that would: - use existing systems and mechanisms to develop and maintain a sustainable integrated programme for surveying and observing the coasts, seabed and water column; - develop new instruments and platforms for ocean observation and ecosystem monitoring (including seabed mapping); - develop a network of coastal oceanographic forecasting systems; - develop better predictive and risk assessment capabilities.
The Commission is proposing to develop instruments for tackling climate change issues on a global scale, including strategies for mitigating the effects of climate change and adapting to it (assessing carbon footprint of the blue economy, the exchange of good practices in emissions reduction, follow-up on the global impact of climate change on marine activities, ecosystems and the coastal populations in the Atlantic region). It will also be necessary to support marine environmental protection and the efforts made to develop “good environmental status” of Atlantic waters by 2020.
The Commission is also proposing: - measures to assess the social and economic value and functioning of the Atlantic's ecosystems and biodiversity in order to support decision-making: - contributing to member states' maritime spatial planning and integrated coastal management processes; - developing a better understanding of the technical feasibility, economic viability and environmental impact of mining for minerals in the Atlantic Ocean, and develop and test innovative mining technologies; - laying the foundations for a sustainable, high-value-added European marine biotechnology industry by assessing the social and economic value and functioning of the Atlantic's ecosystems and biodiversity and potential for providing material for the biotechnology industry in for innovative marine bioproducts (biomedicine, tissue engineering, pharmaceuticals, industrial enzymes).
The Commission is also considering ways to accelerate the deployment of sustainable offshore renewable energy (a European electricity transmission system that provides better links between offshore and onshore energies; promoting the construction and maintenance of renewable energy installations for offshore wind, wave, tidal and biomass energies including integration with desalination plants and multipurpose offshore platforms).
Accessibility and connectivity. Specific objectives of this priority include promoting cooperation between ports by improving connectivity with the hinterland, enhancing intermodality and promoting fast turnaround of ships through measures such as provision of shore side electricity, equipping ports with liquefied natural gas refuelling capacity and enabling ports to diversify into new business activities such as the maintenance of offshore renewable energy installations or tourism; promoting port networks and short-sea shipping routes between European ports, within archipelagos and to the coast of Africa through initiatives such as Motorways of the Sea to increase seaborne traffic.
Creating socially inclusive regional development model. Objective: - fostering better knowledge of social challenges in the Atlantic area using socio-economic indicators to measure, compare and follow trends in the development of the blue economy; preserving and promoting the Atlantic's cultural heritage; - combating seasonality and improving prospects for SMEs through the development of niche markets by investing in marine sport, marinas and nautical leisure activities, port services, including those for cruise passengers, protecting tourist attractions, including coastal and underwater cultural attractions and maritime heritage sites. (LC/transl.fl)