Stéphanie Yon-Courtin MEP (Renew Europe, French), who initiated the Renew Europe political group’s position on the ‘European Oceans Pact’, said on Tuesday 18 March that she was advocating a strategic and integrated approach to maritime policies aimed at “unlocking the potential of the low-carbon blue economy, strengthening maritime safety and integrating fisheries and seafood products into food sovereignty”.
The European Commission is due to present a communication on this ‘Oceans Pact’ in May (see EUROPE 13583/6). “Strengthening the EU’s maritime power” is essential to meet current geopolitical and defence challenges and to reinforce Europe’s strategic autonomy, the Renew Europe group document argues.
In a context of geopolitical threats, particularly from Russia, the EU needs to strengthen its strategic independence, not least through a well-managed ocean. “We must grasp the momentum created by the upcoming third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) in Nice in June 2025”, argue these MEPs.
Among the actions required, the group lists: rapid ratification and entry into force of the High Seas Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, progress towards ratification of the WTO agreement on harmful fisheries subsidies, and the signing of an “ambitious and effective” global treaty on plastics.
The Renew Europe group is also calling for a ‘roadmap’ for reducing emissions and decarbonising ships and the maritime sector.
With regard to fisheries, the document points out that the European fishing industry is facing a number of challenges. According to these MEPs, the potential of fisheries and aquaculture should be exploited as part of the blue economy “by enhancing the transition towards more sustainable, socially fair and competitive practices”.
The current review of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) provides an opportunity, according to Renew Europe, to strengthen the three pillars of sustainability (economic, social and environmental) and address the challenges identified, in particular by improving and simplifying the implementation of CFP rules.
Link to the Renew Europe group document: https://aeur.eu/f/fzq (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)