An Integrated Maritime Policy

Transcription

1 An Integrated Maritime Policy Euro-Mediterranean Transport Forum - 9th Meeting Brussels, 12 December 2008 Fabrizia Benini Head of unit DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Unit D1 Mediterranean and Black Sea 1

2 Strategic objectives In its strategic objectives for , the Commission declared the particular need for an all-embracing maritime policy aimed a developing a thriving maritime economy, in an environmentally sustainable manner. Such a policy should be supported by excellence in marine scientific research, technology and innovation 2

3 Europe s seas and oceans Europe is surrounded by four seas: The Baltic Sea North Sea Mediterranean Sea Black Sea And two oceans: The Atlantic The Arctic Over 2/3 of the Union s borders are coastal The maritime spaces under the jurisdiction of its MSs are larger than their terrestrial territory 3

4 A wide consultation Green Paper followed by one year of consultation Blue Paper on an integrated maritime policy for the EU Oct 2007 endorsed by the Council in Dec

5 Objectives Maximising the sustainable use of the Seas Building a knowledge and innovation base Delivering the highest quality of life in coastal regions Raising the visibility of Maritime Affairs 5

6 Maritime policy and sectoral policies (1) Maritime Policy is about ensuring coherence and synergies whenever human activities interact with the marine domain or have an impact on marine ecosystems 6

7 Maritime policy and sectoral policies (2) Two situations: Strong interaction - activities where two or more sectors interact with potential synergy Environment/climate change Competition for space e.g. Offshore wind vs fishing or transport Living conditions and development in coastal communities Weak interaction - activities which only marginally interact e.g. Short sea shipping and underwater cabling 7

8 Promoting coherence Competitiveness Research Observation and data collection Safety and Security Coordination Spatial planning Environment Surveillance Maritime transport 8

9 IMP in practice Environmental concerns Promote cleaner transport solutions; Promote shore side electricity in ports; Promote the use of renewable energy, including offshore energy; Climate change Promote integrated coastal zone management and spatial planning; Introduce a viable and enforced regulatory; framework for protection of marine resources for all coastal states; Maximise growth to respond to globalisation Promote value added jobs by bringing together maritime industry/services/researchers/education; Promote maritime professions Information and surveillance networks 9

10 Why a geographical approach? Seas are different regional specificities Geography Political context Economic situation Social situation Environmental challenges Main objective Adapting the IMP to regional challenges and opportunities for specific policy development Providing added value in relation to capacities 10

11 IMP - regional implementation Baltic Sea Strategy Artic Communication Working towards implementing IMP in the Mediterranean 11

12 Mediterranean Sea 22 Mediterranean coastal states Union for the Mediterranean Neighbourhood Policy Several international bodies and conventions (e.g. GFCM, Barcelona, UNEP) 12

13 IMP in the Mediterranean Sea What has been done so far? High-Level Mediterranean Conference in Piran (Slovenia) 10 June 2008 Online consultation on the implementation of the IMP in the Mediterranean launched in May 2008 active until December 2008; Missions IMP introduced in bilateral agreements 13

14 Issues identified at the Piran Conference by High Level Experts improve both dialogue and cooperation with Mediterranean with a view to a better governance of maritime affairs foster positive as opposed to the present unregulated competition between EU and non-eu ports, promote adoption of international regulations; reduce environmental pollution, with reference to untreated water discharged into the Mediterranean Sea and to overfishing, favouring a responsible and sustainable approach to these issues; ensure safety and security at sea, making use of existing surveillance systems. These systems need to be maximised, made interoperable and provide for data-sharing in the whole Mediterranean basin; favour cooperation within the research community to promote growth of maritime sectors 14

15 Implementing IMP in the Mediterranean Need political endorsement by as many coastal states as possible Follow up to Piran conference Need to ensure overview and coherence of action whilst policies and administrations are sectoral National Focal Points Need to involve maritime stakeholders Need efficient communication and relays with local communities Develop a more structure dialogue specific project 15

16 Outlook for 2009 Pilot project on maritime surveillance in the Mediterranean and Atlantic approaches- call for proposals to be launched by the end of 2008; Expert group on the issue of governance of maritime space in the Mediterranean January 2009; European Maritime Day in a Mediterranean region May 2009; Policy Paper on the implementation of IMP in the Mediterranean for 2009; 16

17 Thank you! 17