The European Commission recently launched a public consultation on Blue Growth: sustainable growth from the oceans, seas and coasts which will be open until 11th May 2012. The European Commission has remarked that “[w]hile marine and maritime activities are important for Europe's economy – and, in many cases, even more important for the direct economic and employment impact on coastal communities – several sectors have not fulfilled their full sustainable economic potential. This is one of the reasons leading to several coastal regions lagging behind in terms of growth, when compared to the rest of Europe. The global economic and financial crisis has further dented growth prospects for these economic sectors.”
Therefore the Blue Growth initiative builds on earlier policy initiatives to recognise the potential of these marine resources and thus aids in realising the Europe 2020 strategy towards smart, sustainable and inclusive growth. This consultation aims at gathering the opinion of individuals and stakeholders that have an interest in and would like to shape the EU actions in the marine and maritime sectors.
In order to provide a more comprehensive background to the initiative, the European Commission are also providing access to the Third Interim Report of the on-going Blue Growth study “Scenarios and Drivers for Sustainable Growth from the Oceans, Seas and Coasts” which is available here.
Further details are available on: http://ec.europa.eu/fisheries/partners/consultations/blue_growth/index_en.htm
ENDS
Source: MCG Bureau
Published: 21st March 2012