On Wednesday 19 April, the European Commission presented a range of initiatives, financed out of existing funds in favour of “the sustainable development of the blue economy” in the western Mediterranean.
In October 2016, Foreign Ministers from Algeria, Spain, France, Italy, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Portugal and Tunisia encouraged in the continuation of work on an initiative promoting the sustainable development of the blue economy, in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM).
The Commission adopted a communication to put this joint initiative into practice through action to develop coordination and cooperation between the ten countries. The aim is to increase security, promote sustainable growth in the blue economy and “preserve the ecosystems and biodiversity” in the western Mediterranean region.
The Commission draft points out that rising sea levels constitute a “considerable” threat to coastal economies and ecosystems as do, “other factors such as demographic growth and the ageing population and that migration and increasing globalisation will exacerbate these pressures even further”. The Commission re-examined the problem of overfishing (44/48 stocks are assessed between 2012 and 2014 were considered as having overreached biological security limits). It also pointed out that, “nationally designated marine protected areas and Natura 2000 sites cover around 3.5 % of its waters, which is still some way off the 10% coastal and marine area conservation target”. The Commission also points out that marine data stress tests reveal serious knowledge shortcomings regarding the geological and ecological nature of southern waters.
The Commission provides a list of all the different areas in which it intends to take action, according to the priorities outlined.
A safer maritime area. The Commission advocates action to: increase cooperation between coastguards across the two shores of the western Mediterranean region through actions such as networks among training centres; support to capacity building in areas such as illegal fishing, vessel traffic services, maritime search and rescue, the fight against the smuggling of migrants including through the further development of the Seahorse Mediterranean Network; encouraging the exchange of data on maritime traffic by providing support to southern countries to improve their infrastructure and facilitate their access to existing platforms (SafeSeaNet and the joint emergency communication and information system on marine pollution); capacity building to prevent and tackle Maritime pollution due to accidents.
A smart and resilient blue economy. Goals include a 25% increase in certified eco-ports and marinas by 2022; - a 20% increase in sustainable aquaculture production value by 2022; - a 20% increase in off-season tourist arrivals by 2022.
Better governance of the sea. The Commission would like 100% of the waters under national jurisdiction and 100% of coastlines to be covered by Maritime Spatial Planning and Integrated Coastal Management and their implementing mechanisms by 2021; - At least 10% of the coastal and marine areas to be covered by marine protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures by 2020; - a 20% reduction in marine litter on beaches by 2024; - Southern Mediterranean countries to be included in EMODNET by 2020; - All States equipped with adequate legal frameworks and human and technical capabilities to meet their fisheries control and inspection responsibilities as flag, coastal and port States by 2020; - 100% of key Mediterranean stocks to be subject to adequate data collection, scientifically assessed on a regular basis and managed through a multiannual fisheries plan by 2020.
The Commission explains that this action will not include creating new legislation. It emphasises greater coordination between financing instruments and a genuinely integrated approach to connect EU policies (maritime, fisheries, cohesion, environmental, climate, etc.). (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)