Brussels, 04/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission launched a public consultation on Thursday 4 June to collect views on how the EU could contribute to achieving better international governance of oceans and seas to the benefit of “sustainable blue growth”.
Illegal fishing, uncontrolled seabed mining, marine litter are only some of the challenges that need to be addressed through global cooperation, the Commission states in a press release. The existing international ocean governance framework could be ineffective in addressing such maritime challenges, particularly in the 60% of the oceans that are beyond national jurisdictions. The blue economy already produces 5% of EU GDP and provides nearly 5 million jobs. Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Commissioner Karmenu Vella has pledged to meet stakeholders to discuss the role of the EU in shaping international ocean governance. (Lionel Changeur)