Using our seas wisely

Maritime politics interact, influence and are influenced by other sectors. Indeed, the new European maritime policy aims to develop an integrated approach to maritime activities that benefits Europeans, notably by creating economic growth, and more and better jobs for EU citizens.

The sea has increasingly become the subject of political debate and a need for a more holistic view on maritime affairs has been identified. For this purpose a task force, made up of commissioners responsible for sea-related policies, chaired by Commissioner Joe Borg, prepared a consultation paper on a future maritime policy for the Union.

The publication of this Green Paper, 'Towards a future Maritime Policy for the Union: A European vision for the oceans and the sea', launched an extensive consultation exercise on possible options for a maritime policy for the Union and was adopted by the Commission. The aim was to promote a joined approach to all policies affecting maritime activities, to maximise the synergies between them and ensure that the continued economic development of the maritime sector is maximised in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner.

The consultation on the Green Paper was concluded on June 30. The Commission intends to come forward with a maritime policy package based on the outcome of this consultation in October. Following the launch of the Green Paper in June, I am convinced that marine science and technology must be the foundations on which a future EU maritime policy is built.

A maritime policy for the EU can help releasing Europe's tremendous growth potential, while protecting our marine environment. Science and technology hold the key and can allow us to reconcile the economic growth generated by sea-based activities with environmental sustainability.

The EU's response to the challenges of illegal migration, terrorism, drug trafficking and organised crime also depends on a new approach to maritime policy, with integrated surveillance of the seas, on which key projects are already being developed, like the fight against illegal fishing, which is now becoming a most serious offence in the eyes of Europe's citizens.

This new maritime policy enables us to target and carry out measures in the EU in a way that sustainably benefits economic and recreational returns from the sea - a sea so rich in diversity. To maintain sustainable, competitive European maritime industry clusters, a European maritime policy framework is necessary.

In the challenge of understanding, predicting, mitigating and adapting to climate change, there is an opportunity for the development of valuable new economic activities.

The maritime zones, under the jurisdiction of the member states, are larger than their terrestrial territory. Almost 50 per cent of the European population lives within 50 km of the coast. The sea is what links us to one another and those who participate in this great debate understand the value that Europe can add to their lives.

An integrated maritime policy could create a new perspective to EU policy formation and create a sea change. This integrated approach can boost prosperity of areas in the coastal region, boost tourism and maintain environmental protection of the seas. I also think that this is a very timely instance to discuss maritime policy.

This year opened with the EU embracing new policies on energy and climate change. The broad-ranging policy on maritime affairs is a form of response to the current challenges we are facing and this integrated approach could ease consequences of climate change, such as rising sea levels and increasingly violent storms, through research and investments in coastal regions.

This integrated approach has its benefits. All activities have an impact on others. What occurs on land, especially in coastal regions, leaves its mark on the sea.

Twenty member states have coasts stretching to almost 70,000 km. The EU maritime regions of the 15 member states already accounted for over 40 per cent of GNP. Shipbuilding, ports, fisheries and related services industries employ two and a half million people.

According to the study, employment trends in all sectors related to the sea or using sea resources (European Commission DG Fisheries and Maritime Affairs), in the year 2004/2005, all sea-related sectors generated approximately five million jobs.

That is why it is important that all parties - the Commission, the member states, the regions and stakeholders - come together and debate what sort of maritime policy Europe needs. The success of the policy may be achieved only if all member states commit themselves to strengthening the EU marine research area, and the maritime research and technology community.

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