—

having regard to the Commission communication of 17 May 2021 on a new approach for a sustainable blue economy in the EU — transforming the EU’s Blue Economy for a Sustainable Future (COM(2021)0240),

—

having regard to Articles 3, 4, 13, 38, 43 and 349 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

—

having regard to Regulation (EU) No 1380/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy (1),

—

having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2021 establishing the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1004 (2) (EMFAF),

—

having regard to Directive 2008/56/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 2008 establishing a framework for community action in the field of marine environmental policy (Marine Strategy Framework Directive) (3),

—

having regard to the seventh Environmental Action Programme (EAP) and the concepts enshrined therein, such as planetary boundaries and ecological limits,

—

having regard to Directive 2014/89/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 establishing a framework for maritime spatial planning (4),

—

having regard to Directive 2007/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2007 on the assessment and management of flood risks (5),

—

having regard to Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (6),

—

having regard to the political agreement between Parliament and the Council of 11 March 2021 on the 2021-2027 Connecting Europe Facility,

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 11 December 2019 entitled ‘The European Green Deal’ (COM(2019)0640),

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 20 May 2020 entitled ‘EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 — Bringing nature back into our lives’ (COM(2020)0380), and to its resolution of 9 June 2021 thereon (7),

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 20 May 2020 entitled ‘A Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system’ (COM(2020)0381), and to its resolution of 20 October 2021 thereon (8),

—

having regard to the Commission report entitled ‘The EU Blue Economy Report 2021’ (9),

—

having regard to the Commission report of March 2021 on ‘Sustainability criteria for the blue economy’ (10),

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 12 May 2021 entitled ‘Strategic guidelines for a more sustainable and competitive EU aquaculture for the period 2021 to 2030’ (COM(2021)0236),

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 23 July 2020 entitled ‘A new approach to the Atlantic maritime strategy — Atlantic action plan 2.0: An updated action plan for a sustainable, resilient and competitive blue economy in the European Union Atlantic area’ (COM(2020)0329),

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 9 December 2020 entitled ‘Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy — putting European transport on track for the future’ (COM(2020)0789),

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 19 November 2020 entitled ‘An EU Strategy to harness the potential of offshore renewable energy for a climate neutral future’ (COM(2020)0741),

—

having regard to its resolution of 8 September 2015 on untapping the potential of research and innovation in the blue economy to create jobs and growth (11),

—

having regard to its resolution of 16 January 2018 entitled ‘International ocean governance: an agenda for the future of our oceans in the context of the 2030 SDGs’ (12),

—

having regard to its resolution of 25 March 2021 on the impact on fisheries of marine litter (13),

—

having regard to its resolution of 14 September 2021 on a new approach to the Atlantic maritime strategy (14),

—

having regard to its resolution of 7 July 2021 on the impact on the fishing sector of offshore wind farms and other renewable energy systems (15),

—

having regard to its resolution of 14 September 2021 entitled ‘Towards a stronger partnership with the EU outermost regions’ (16),

—

having regard to the agreement adopted at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) in Paris on 12 December 2015 (the Paris Agreement),

—

having regard to the global guidelines and international standards for fisheries and aquaculture as developed by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in cooperation with the EU as a member,

—

having regard to the FAO report entitled ‘The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture 2020: Sustainability in Action’,

—

having regard to the Blue Fishing Ports Network initiative launched in July 2018 by the FAO,

—

having regard to the Port of Vigo Blue Growth Strategies for 2016-2020 and 2021-2027 (17),

—

having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the Commission communication on a new approach for a sustainable blue economy in the EU — transforming the EU’s blue economy for a sustainable future (COM(2021)0240),

—

having regard to the opinion by the Committee of the Regions of 2 December 2021 on the sustainable blue economy and aquaculture (NAT-VVI/020),

—

having regard to the competence of its Committee on Transport and Tourism on maritime programming and an integrated maritime policy,

—

having regard to Rule 54 of its Rules of Procedure,

—

having regard to the opinions of the Committee on Development and the Committee on Transport and Tourism,

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Fisheries (A9-0089/2022),

A.

whereas the EU’s blue economy provides 4,5 million direct jobs and encompasses all industries and sectors related to oceans, seas and coasts, whether they are based in the marine environment (such as shipping, seagoing passenger transport, fisheries and energy generation) or on land (such as ports, shipyards, coastal tourism and land-based aquaculture); whereas it is a broad, fast-moving segment of our economy, which has taken significant steps to modernise and diversify over the past decade, and which will play an important role in improving environmental, social and economic development;

B.

whereas if the global blue economy were compared to a national economy, it would be the seventh largest in the world, and the ocean as an economic entity would be a member of the G7; whereas it operates in the planet’s largest ecosystem, as oceans hold 80 % of all life forms; whereas the ocean surrounds and sustains us and provides critical resources for human health, not to mention a web of economic interactions;

C.

whereas developing the blue economy could greatly boost growth and economic development, as well as job creation, especially in coastal and island countries and regions and in the outermost regions;

D.

whereas the fisheries sector, particularly small-scale, coastal and artisanal fisheries, have not been sufficiently taken into account in the EU’s strategy for the blue economy;

E.

whereas the blue economy will further provide new prospects and create jobs, particularly in areas such as renewable ocean energy, the blue bio-economy, biotechnology and desalination;

F.

whereas the sectoral priorities for the development of the blue economy may differ from Member State to Member State, depending, on the one hand, on the development record of traditional or established sectors and, on the other hand, on current resources and the development potential of emerging sectors in each Member State;

G.

whereas the harnessing the potential of the blue economy must not serve as a pretext for subjecting the seas and oceans to forms of resource exploitation and growth models which have already shown themselves to be unsustainable; whereas marine and ocean resources must be used strictly in accordance with the need for their sound management and conservation, without altering marine ecosystem balances;

H.

whereas the Maritime Spatial Planning Directive states that Member States must take into account the interactions of activities and uses such as aquaculture, fishing and installations and infrastructures for the production of energy from renewable sources, as well as submarine cables, and promote the coexistence of relevant activities and apply an ecosystem-based approach;

I.

whereas a blue economy that develops within ecological limits, and hence not only the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, but all marine sectors concerned, must equally respect the environmental, social and economic pillars across the board in order to be considered sustainable;

J.

whereas the common fisheries policy (CFP) seeks to guarantee the proper conservation and management of marine biological resources and that fishing and aquaculture activities are environmentally sustainable in the long term and are managed in a way that is consistent with the objectives of achieving economic, social and employment benefits, and of contributing to the availability of food supplies;

K.

whereas the CFP should contribute to productivity growth and a decent standard of living in the fisheries sector, including the small-scale fisheries sector, as well as stable markets, and should ensure the availability of food;

L.

whereas, under SDG 14, it is imperative to conserve oceans, seas and marine resources and promote their sustainable use, while under SDG 2, it is imperative to guarantee food security; whereas sub-target 14.1 sets the objective of preventing and significantly reducing marine pollution of all kinds by 2025, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution;

M.

whereas the ocean is crucial for life on earth, producing 50 % of the oxygen in the atmosphere, absorbing about 25 % of human-produced carbon dioxide emissions and 90 % of excess heat in the climate system, and for regulating the global climate;

N.

whereas the restoration, preservation, conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity is fundamental to the health of the oceans, which contain millions of species, to protecting the health of the planet and providing the basis for marine and maritime economic activities;

O.

whereas the collection of data for scientific monitoring and assessment of stocks in the seas and oceans, including the evaluation of whether these stocks are within the safe biological limits, is fundamental to their sustainable management;

P.

whereas significant parts of the oceans and sea floor remain unexplored, in particular the deep sea, and whereas further research is needed to ensure that any activities under the blue economy will be fully sustainable;

Q.

whereas fisheries and aquaculture are key sectors in the blue economy and are an important source of protein and micronutrients that are essential for food security and human health;

R.

whereas marine biodiversity in Europe is under pressure, with a high proportion of assessed marine species and habitats as being in ‘unfavourable’ or ‘unknown’ conservation status; whereas the loss of marine biodiversity is having a major environmental, social and economic impact on the EU fisheries sector, on coastal and island territories and on the outermost regions, and must therefore be reversed; whereas biodiversity must restored in cooperation with all stakeholders, and in particular with the fisheries sector and the scientific community;

S.

whereas coastal and island communities are key stakeholders in the debate on the potential of the blue economy and ways to harnessing it;

T.

whereas the EU’s fishers and fish farmers play an essential role throughout the EU in protecting and promoting territorial identity, cultural traditions, food security, employment and incomes;

U.

whereas small-scale artisanal fisheries have specific characteristics and needs;

V.

whereas the recreational fisheries sector can contribute to the diversification of coastal communities’ income as a high-value and sustainable tourism activity;

W.

whereas women play an important role in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors; whereas there is a need to increase their visibility and ensure equal access to employment in the sector, as well as appropriate legal recognition;

X.

whereas the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3, 6, 9 and 12 underline the importance of animal health, good water quality, sustainable innovation and sustainable consumption and production in the blue economy;

Y.

whereas the health and wellbeing of aquatic animals is linked to the quality of food products; whereas poor animal welfare and husbandry can increase the risk of disease and illness;

Z.

whereas land agriculture has a significant impact on marine ecosystems and fisheries, in particular the use of nitrogen-based fertilisers and the eutrophication of aquatic environments;

AA.

whereas fishers play a very important role in the collection of abandoned marine litter in the sea, whether by carrying out targeted campaigns or by collecting litter accidentally during fishing operations;

AB.

whereas the 2020 objectives of achieving good environmental status for European seas and to end overfishing have not been achieved;

AC.

whereas, in 2018 the EU fisheries sector accounted for around 163 600 jobs, with fleets catching around 4,1 million tonnes of live fish in 2019; whereas, in the EU 27, 1,1 million tonnes of aquatic organisms valued at EUR 3,7 billion were produced in 2018 (18);

AD.

whereas the EU is a net importer of fisheries and aquaculture products and remains dependent on imports for most of its aquatic food consumption, accounting for 34 % of the global value of imports in 2018; whereas EU fisheries imports must at least respect similar sustainability standards as those in the EU; whereas EU fisheries imports must be directly linked to sustainable jobs in the import, processing and retail sectors;

AE.

whereas EU fisheries, aquaculture and coastal communities have already been impacted by the effects of climate change; whereas the climate crisis has had a significant impact on the health of Europe's seas with detrimental effects on the resilience of the blue economy, in particular fisheries and aquaculture;

AF.

whereas several sectors in the blue economy have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular coastal and maritime tourism; whereas the blue economy could help repair the economic and social damage caused by the current crisis;

AG.

whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant economic impact on those employed in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors owing to the combined effects of waning demand and lack of conditions on many vessels to enable health safety; whereas market disruptions caused by the pandemic have negatively affected fishers all over the EU; whereas the fishers still managed to provide a high-quality food supply and for that very reason, special attention must be paid to fishers due to their importance for the security of food supply in the EU;

AH.

whereas the pandemic situation has demonstrated the importance of a resilient environment, supported by sustainable practices in the management of its resources, for the global health and for the future of food systems;

AI.

whereas coastal communities need to diversify their sources of income in order to withstand economic and social shocks;

AJ.

whereas, when diversifying their sources of income, coastal and remote communities need to build resilience to shocks such as those caused by climate change;

AK.

whereas maritime and coastal tourism are a pillar of the blue economy, with over half of the EU's tourist accommodation located in coastal areas and 30 % of overnight stays occurring at beach resorts; whereas the Commission communication on tourism and transport in 2020 and beyond (COM(2020)0550) underscores the importance of protecting and restoring Europe's land and marine natural capital;

AL.

whereas maritime and coastal tourism account for 60 % of employment in the blue economy; whereas a competitive, resilient and socially fair blue economy needs highly qualified and skilled professionals; whereas ‘blue jobs’ can promote growth and career opportunities;

AM.

whereas angling tourism as a sector has the potential to be a new source of income for coastal communities while ensuring the sustainability and good status of fish stocks and providing social and health benefits;

AN.

whereas recreational fisheries is already a sustainable and high-value tourism option and complementary activity for many communities across Europe; whereas there has been growing interest in recreational fishing in many countries, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic;

AO.

whereas developing sustainable infrastructure in coastal regions will help preserve biodiversity, coastal ecosystems and landscapes, which will strengthen the sustainable development of tourism and coastal economies;

AP.

whereas the blue economy plays a vital role in the prosperity of outermost regions, which, due to their isolation, are especially dependent on blue economy-based activities, such as maritime transport, shipping and tourism;

AQ.

whereas ports play an essential role in achieving the objectives of the sustainable blue economy, and whereas increasing the sustainability of ports will promote the sustainable development of coastal communities; whereas ports are an important hub for the transport of goods and passengers in outermost regions;

AR.

whereas ports are crucial to the connectivity and economy of regions and countries and play an important role in the promotion of sustainable development, which contributes to tackling biodiversity loss, as stated in the new EU biodiversity strategy for 2030; whereas the role of ports will also evolve as Europe’s industrial landscape changes (for example, with the expansion of offshore renewable energy);

AS.

whereas EU shipyards could seize the opportunities arising from the fast-growing innovative market for energy-efficient service vessel;

AT.

whereas different blue economy-related activities in one space generate competition, pollution and sea space management conflicts that mainly affect fishing activities, in particular small-scale fisheries and coastal communities; whereas maritime spatial planning is crucial to avoid increasing competition and sea space management conflicts;

AU.

whereas, through their maritime spatial plans, Member States should aim to contribute to the sustainable development of energy sectors at sea, maritime transport, the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, and the preservation, protection and improvement of the environment, including resilience to climate change impacts; whereas, in this regard, fisheries and aquaculture interests should receive special attention and should not be marginalised as Member States continue their work and subsequent revisions of national maritime spatial plans;

AV.

whereas the Paris Agreement’s goal is to limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1,5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels;

AW.

whereas the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate provides evidence of the benefits of combining scientific knowledge with local and indigenous knowledge to improve resilience;

AX.

whereas the EU is aiming to become climate neutral by 2050 at the latest, in line with the Green Deal objectives; whereas the EU has proposed the target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 % by 2030; whereas offshore renewable energy is one of the options that Member States can choose to achieve this target; whereas it should play a key role in achieving these objectives through an integrated approach taking into account the three pillars of sustainability;

AY.

whereas a proposal for legally binding nature restoration targets needs to be drawn up under the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030 in line with the objective of protecting 30 % of the EU maritime area, of which 10 % should be subject to strict conservation measures;

AZ.

whereas there is a need for specific guidelines and sound planning for each of the EU’s maritime regions on the objectives to be attained in marine conservation areas;

BA.

whereas the outermost regions are genuine natural laboratories, rich in biodiversity and are real natural sanctuaries that need urgent protection, especially because of their mostly archipelagic nature and with significant coastal areas;

BB.

whereas the management of ecosystems requires a holistic approach that takes into account all the causes of biodiversity loss, such as climate change, ocean acidification, appearance of alien species, coastal erosion, etc.; whereas it is necessary to have a global vision, framework and an ecosystem-based approach for the management and conservation of marine resources;

BC.

whereas climate change is increasingly changing the distribution and migratory patterns of various fish species and affects small-scale fisheries in developing countries, which are more vulnerable to its effects;

BD.

whereas illegal fishing is a major threat to marine resources, depleting fish stocks, destroying marine habitats creating unfair competition and putting the livelihoods of coastal communities and islands fisheries at risk;

BE.

whereas it is essential for Member States to implement an EU fisheries control regime that is simple, transparent and effective in order to ensure the sector's sustainability targets are met;

BF.

whereas, when diversifying consumption, improved traceability with access to information about nutritional values, provenance and place of production is fundamental to consumer behaviour;

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