Maritime Europe alters course

Europe, a continent located between two oceans and four seas, has nearly 70,000 kilometres of coastline. Europeans have always been among the world's leading seafarers and this is the case even today. Nowadays, over 40 per cent of the EU's internal trade is carried out by sea and nigh on 4.8 million Europeans now work in the maritime sector.

Thus far, the EU has tended to see itself primarily as a continental bloc rather than a peninsula. Maritime matters have traditionally been addressed as part of sector-specific concerns immune to the lure of shared interest. The governance of the seas and oceans remains very much anchored in sectoral management methods. Treating every domain as a separate entity remains the order of the day for most European governments, whether at national or local level. This is quite surprising, given the potential synergies between sectors such as transport, energy, environment, spatial planning and research.

Through its recent Maritime Action Plan, Europe is proposing a radical change of tack away from the sector-specific to an all-embracing, integrated approach to our maritime heritage. The European Commission cannot impose this new approach without the support of the EU member states. However, it has recently launched promising initiatives to encourage ambitious forms of cooperation between the various policies with a bearing on the sea.

The rational exploitation of the oceans and seas should enable Europe to benefit from new opportunities in terms of transport and economic development, while conserving marine resources. In facing up to climate change, coastal regions must prepare to deal with rising sea levels. Turning to energy, the exploitation of the seabed can offset the forthcoming scarcity of fossil fuels on land. Also, the development of renewable marine energies can contribute to the diversification of energy supplies and the efforts to combat climate change.

The Commission is encouraging member states to adopt this integrated approach. Issues often hinge around the maritime sector and transcend borders. It is more cost-effective to organise maritime surveillance or planning in marine and coastal areas with cross-border partners than in isolation. Accordingly, coordination between the different member states' services makes it possible to improve surveillance at sea, thereby making it more effective in terms of monitoring, safety and fisheries management. Maritime spatial planning such as the eco-friendly development of wind farms or ports is also more rational and sustainable when coordinated in conjunction with neighbouring countries. By taking action at European level we can be better equipped to take on common challenges.

We are counting on the EU member states to make this all-embracing, integrated view their own. This will entail a change in maritime governance methods, as suggested in the Commission's guidelines. The financial crisis is at present pushing us to invest in the industries of the future and to generate jobs. Maritime matters can be an intrinsic part of this general stimulus. Offshore energy, port expansion, new energy transmission systems and the development of cost-efficient coastal infrastructure will ensure a return on Europe's investment. The time for action has come.

Dr Borg is European Commissioner for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries.