The EU’s strategy for sustainable marine and maritime growth: Blue Growth

 

SUMMARY

Marine and maritime activities provide work for 5.4 million people in the EU and account for a gross value added (GVA) of just under EUR 500 billion per year. In 2012, the EU presented a long-term strategy to harness the potential of its oceans and seas.

WHAT DOES THIS COMMUNICATION DO?

The European Commission's communication launched the European Union (EU) strategy for the maritime sector. The strategy - known as Blue Growth — is the maritime sector’s contribution to achieving the goals of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. It builds upon the Commission's Integrated Maritime Policy launched in 2007.

KEY POINTS

The Blue Growth strategy focuses on the potential of marine and maritime sectors (the blue economy) to contribute to sustainable economic recovery in the EU, and in particular to create new jobs and promote innovation and sustainable growth.

Maritime regions and their coasts, because of their unique geographical situation (i.e. looking outwards) have traditionally been centres for new ideas and innovation. However, there are 3 new factors which are likely to further reinforce their potential in this regard:

—	In the past decade, there has been rapid technological progress (particularly in robotics, video-surveillance and submersible technology) in working offshore in ever-deeper waters.

—	With population growth, there is ever-increasing pressure on land-based resources to provide food and energy. We need to look at the 71 % of the earth's surface that is ocean to find more sustainable ways of meeting human needs.

—	Our seas have an important part to play in helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, by means of offshore renewable energy installations, and in saving energy thanks to transport by sea which is less polluting than land transport.

The strategy identifies 5 sectors that have high potential for jobs and growth. These sectors are aquaculture (fish and shellfish farming), tourism, marine biotechnology, ocean energy and seabed mining. A set of Commission initiatives has been launched to explore and develop the growth potential in these areas. These include Communications on:

—	coastal and maritime tourism,

—	ocean energy, as well as

—	strategic guidelines on aquaculture.

The strategy highlights the importance of:

—	increasing marine knowledge (to develop new products and services);

—	improving the management of marine activities — this is vital in order to avoid potential conflict and to create synergies between different activities;

—	security (i.e. integrated maritime surveillance) of the EU’s waters to allow maritime authorities to share information on risks and threats.

It also recognises that tailored approaches need to be taken in relation to Europe's 7 sea basins (Adriatic and Ionian Seas, Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and North Sea). This ensures that each basin's individual needs are met and seeks to encourage the countries involved to work together.

Further information is available from the European Commission's Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries website.

ACT

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions - Blue Growth opportunities for marine and maritime sustainable growth (COM(2012) 494 final of 13 September 2012)

RELATED ACTS

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Strategic Guidelines for the Sustainable Development of EU Aquaculture (COM(2013) 229 final of 29 April 2013)

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Blue Energy Action needed to deliver on the potential of ocean energy in European seas and oceans by 2020 and beyond (COM(2014) 8 final of 20 January 2014)

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: A European Strategy for more Growth and Jobs in Coastal and Maritime Tourism (COM(2014) 86 final of 20 February 2014)

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Innovation in the Blue Economy: realising the potential of our seas and oceans for jobs and growth (COM(2014) 254 final/2 of 8 May 2014)

Commission staff working document — Marine Knowledge 2020: roadmap Accompanying the document Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Innovation in the Blue Economy realising the potential of our seas and oceans for jobs and growth (SWD(2014) 149 final of 8 May 2014)

last update 02.10.2015