Brussels, 17/06/2015 (Agence Europe) - MEPs on the industry, research and energy (ITRE) committee adopted a report on the “blue economy” on Tuesday 16 June. The report, presented by Joao Ferreira (GUE/NGL, Portugal), argues for significant improvement in national and European investment in research and innovation so that full benefit can be drawn from the resources and economic potential of the EU's oceans and seas.
The report, a response to the European Commission communication published in May 2014 on the future of the blue economy, was adopted by a wide majority (48 votes to 8, with no abstentions). It defines an overall and inter-sectoral strategy so that marine assets can be best and sustainably used. “This report is an important step to start delivering concrete actions in the sustainable development of the Blue Economy”, said Ferreira. “Pointing out that the member states have a key role to play in this domain, the report advocates the need for strategic planning of activities in the Blue Economy, direct methods of funding, priorities targeting and an action plan to boost this sector by 2020”, he went on to say.
Thus, MEPs argued for a restructuring of declining coastal economies that have traditionally been engaged in fishing and shipbuilding and redeploying them around resources that have hitherto been under-exploited, such as offshore minerals, marine renewable energies, aquaculture and biotechnology, for pharmacological purposes, for instance.
The ITRE committee calls, too, for closer coordination between the European institutions and national authorities and the preparation of an optimised financial framework so that the various financial instruments available, and especially the structural and investment funds (ESF, ERDF, EMFF, and cohesion funds) can be used to best advantage.
On a number of occasions, MEPs regretted the shortage of qualified professionals in various disciplines and in various sectors of activity. This, they said, hugely impedes full realisation of economic potential They also highlighted the member states' shirking of responsibility and growing disinvestment in science and education that serve the blue growth objectives of Horizon 2020.
The report will be presented in plenary session in September. (Pascal Hansens)