GREEN BOOK

Towards a future Maritime Policy for the EU: A European vision for the oceans and seas

The Aim

This Green Paper aims to launch a debate about a future Maritime Policy for the EU that treats the oceans and seas in a holistic way. It will underline that our continued enjoyment of the benefits that they provide will only be possible through profound respect for them at a time when their resources are threatened by severe pressures and our increasing technological ability to exploit them. The accelerated reduction of marine biodiversity due notably to pollution, impacts of climate change and overfishing are warning signals that we cannot ignore. The Green Paper builds upon existing EU policies and initiatives and dovetails with the Lisbon Strategy. It seeks to strike the right balance between the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development.

The "Green Paper" adopted by the European Commission on 7 June 2006 begins with attributed Arthur C. Clarke these words: "How inappropriate to call this planet Earth when it is quite clearly Ocean" and includes subjects below;

- Retaining Europe’s Leadership in Sustainable Maritime Development

- A Competitive Maritime Industry

- The Importance of the Marine Environment for the Sustainable Use of our Marine Resources

- Remaining at the Cutting Edge of Knowledge and Technology

- Innovation under Changing Circumstances

- Developing Europe’s Maritime Skills and Expanding Sustainable Maritime Employment

- Clustering

- The Regulatory Framework

- Maximizing Quality of Life in Coastal Regions

- The Increasing Attraction of Coastal Areas as a Place to Live and Work

- Adapting to Coastal Risks

- Developing Coastal Tourism

- Managing the Land/Sea Interface

- Providing the tools to manage our relations with the oceans

- Data at the Service of Multiple Activities

- Spatial Planning for a Growing Maritime Economy

- Making the Most of Financial Support for Coastal Regions

- Maritime Governance

- Policy Making within the EU

- The Offshore Activities of Governments

- International Rules for Global Activities

- Taking Account of Geographical Realities

- Reclaiming Europe’s Maritime Heritage and Reaffirming Europe’s Maritime Identity

- The Way Forward – The Consultation Process

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