Last September the European Commission adopted a Communication on Blue Growth wherein it identified five areas in which additional effort at EU level could stimulate long-term growth and jobs in the blue economy. These areas are: blue energy, aquaculture, maritime, coastal and cruise tourism, marine mineral resources, as well as blue biotechnology. The Communication also deals with the concept of Blue Economy, and highlights EU policies designed to reinforce the efforts of Member States and regions in support of a blue economy. Last December, during the meeting of Council of the EU, Ministers from the 27 EU Member States called for the full implementation of the Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP). The Council concluded that the marine and maritime economy offers real development potential that can generate sustainable economic growth, create jobs and help revive the EU’s economy.
The Ministers endorsed the ‘blue growth’ strategy to give the seas and oceans their rightful place in the European economy. The Council also endorsed the ‘Limassol Declaration’, adopted last October, at the informal ministerial conference hosted by the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, aimed to boost this new strategy. This event has now become a milestone for the future development of the EU IMP, including the Blue Growth priorities. The EU has now managed to connect the blue sectors with the rest of the European economy and placed them high on the list of politicians and business priorities. The EU believes that the development potential offered by most maritime sectors can help boost the economy so that it can achieve the growth and job creation targets set by the EU in its Europe 2020 Strategy.
The Council invited the EU Member States and the European Commission to implement the agenda with a view to reaching the objective of creating seven million jobs and achieving a yearly gross added value of €600 billion in the European economy by 2020. Furthermore, the Ministers recognise the need for healthy marine eco-systems, upon which marine activities depend, as well as the importance of safeguarding biodiversity. It notes that to facilitate and deliver this growth potential, the institutions and stakeholders have to work together to develop the right conditions. The Ministers acknowledge that the development of ‘blue growth’ requires financial support and they consequently welcome the proposal for the new European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) and encourage the EU Member States to support the sustainable development of marine and maritime activities in the context of the Multiannual Financial Framework 2014-2020. Malta cannot but look upon any efforts towards the IMP as a significant step in the EU’s process of acknowledging and embracing its maritime vocation in a holistic approach. Three factors that point to the maritime environment and which provide opportunities for this growth and employment are: (i) rapid technological progress in working offshore in deeper waters; (ii) the limitations of land and fresh water resources, and (iii) the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
European Environmental NGOs, like the European Seas Environmental Cooperation, Seas at Risk, Oceana, Bird Life International, Friends of the Earth, Mediterranean SOS, Marine Conservation Society and Sea First, express their concerns regarding some of the priorities set in the Blue Growth Communication and to contribute alternative ideas in shaping a truly sustainable blue economy. They call in particular the EU Ministers and policy makers to fully enshrine the Good Environmental Status by 2020 - which envisages protecting the marine environment by preventing its deterioration and restoring it where possible, while using marine resources sustainably; and to adopt the precautionary principle – an approach to take prudent action in the face of potentially serious risk without having to await the completion of further scientific research; as prerequisites for the IMP and blue growth, and recognising the Marine Strategy Framework Directive as the overarching framework for future development.
During the last few years the Maltese Government’s commitment to this sector resulted in the importance given to ensure that the maritime infrastructure is relevant to the needs for its citizens and the industry. A number of projects that were undertaken were the repairs of the breakwaters, the panoramic bridge in Valletta, the cruise liner berths, the water taxis and the Barrakka lift. For Malta, the blue economy is an additional path to a sustainable future. This year, on May 21 and 22, Malta will be hosting the 6th edition of the European Maritime Day (EMD 2013) Conference and Stakeholders’ Workshop, under the current Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU.
The European Maritime Day is celebrated annually on May 20. The purpose is to highlight the importance of the seas and oceans and the challenges facing maritime regions and sectors. The EMD 2013 Conference will focus on sustainable coastal and maritime tourism in the wider context of Blue Growth. During the official events, organised by the European Commission (DG - Maritime Affairs and Fisheries) in partnership with the Ministry for Infrastructure, Transport, and Communication and the Ministry for Tourism, Culture and the Environment, Malta will be welcoming delegates and stakeholders from across Europe and the neighbouring countries during the stakeholders’ exhibition. Stakeholders in the maritime sector play a central role in the development and growth of the EU’s maritime sectors.
MEUSAC will be providing the latest information about these upcoming events of national implications in the coming months. For more information log on to http://www.emd2013.gov.mt/en/Pages/Home.aspx or send an email to MEUSAC on [email protected]
Brenda Azzopardi (Executive, EU Policy & Legislation – MEUSAC)