Center for Coastal & Marine Studies
2021 EU Blue Economy report – make the EU green transition leading by emerging sectors in the blue economy
The European Commission has published the fourth edition of “The EU Blue Economy Report”, providing an overview of the performance of the EU-27 economic sectors related to oceans and the coastal environment.
Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevičius said: “This report shows that the blue economy is an important driver of today’s European economy, in coastal communities and beyond. Moreover, with the European Green Deal, its importance will only grow in the future. The sector will contribute to decarbonisation and other European environmental objectives with innovative solutions and by reducing its own footprint. I call on Member States and private investors to support this transformation and invest in a sustainable blue economy.”
Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Mariya Gabriel said: “The EU Blue Economy report marks an important milestone towards establishing the European Blue Observatory, a knowledge sharing platform that will enable near real-time monitoring of decarbonisation efforts across Europe’s blue economy sectors.”
European Green Deal: Developing a sustainable blue economy in the European Union
On 17 May 2021, the European Commission proposed a new approach for a sustainable blue economy in the EU for the industries and sectors related to oceans, seas and coasts. A sustainable blue economy is essential to achieving the objectives of the European Green Deal and ensuring a green and inclusive recovery from the pandemic.
All blue economy sectors including fisheries, aquaculture, coastal tourism, maritime transport, port activities and shipbuilding will have to reduce their environmental and climate impact. Tackling the climate and biodiversity crises requires healthy seas and a sustainable use of their resources to create alternatives to fossil fuels and traditional food production.
Transitioning to a sustainable blue economy requires investing in innovative technologies. Wave- and tidal energy, algae production, development of innovative fishing gear or restoration of marine ecosystems will create new green jobs and businesses in the blue economy.
The Communication sets out a detailed agenda for the blue economy to:
Ecosystem-based Maritime Spatial Planning in Europe - and how to assess it: a Guidance Paper published by WWF - EPO
European seas are facing incredible challenges due to the growth of economic sectors which rely on them, climate change and the degradation of ecosystems as a result of unsustainable human activities. Maritime Spatial Planning is a key public policy to ensure the sustainable use and conservation of our ocean. WWF advocates for ecosystem-based MSP to deliver a much needed change towards a sustainable relationship with our seas and marine resources. Conversely, a poor MSP process will only further aggravate the already dire situation faced by marine ecosystems, putting these resources and essential services at greater risk.
Member States must establish and adopt maritime spatial plans based on the 2014 MSP Directive and its requirements as soon as possible. It is crucial that these plans meet the Directive’s key requirements, such as being consistent and cross-border, and based on an ecosystem-based approach, promoting coexistence of activities and uses, contributing to the preservation, protection and improvement of the environment, and supporting the sustainable development of maritime sectors.
Launch of the key MSPglobal Technical Reports
Successful marine management needs planners and managers who understand and work with the sea's diversity in space and time. These new reports aim to assist the MSPglobal beneficiary countries in developing approaches, tools and actions at regional level to contribute to a coherent ecosystem-based Marine Spatial Planning process, based on an analysis of existing and future conditions within the pilot project areas in the Western Mediterranean.
By improving mutual understanding between bordering Member States of their respective processes, including different objectives, priorities and activities, MSPglobal provides the basis for the development of a pre-planning phase of transboundary MSP.
