EU fishes for answers

The European commission will ask voters how they think Europe should manage its oceans and seas.

Launching its vision for a new integrated maritime policy on Wednesday, the commission said the results of the exercise will create a new era in European fishing. 

“Can Europe afford to manage its seas and oceans in a sectoral, unconnected, way? Or has the time come to establish a truly integrated maritime policy?” the EU executive asked in a statement.

Commission president José Manuel Barroso says the green paper allows member states to put their heads together and enhance maritime competetiveness.

“I encourage everyone to have their say on how they see a future maritime policy for the union which would boost jobs while protecting the marine environment,” he said. 

The document will focus on transport, shipping, trade, coastal and port-based industries, as well as fisheries, marine research and tourism.

“Too often, the sectors which impact on the maritime environment operate independently – each has its own structures, embodies its own culture and vision, and is run according to its own rules. Yet they all depend on the same resource,” a commission statement adds.

The green paper represents one of the largest ever public consultation exercises in the EU's history and hundreds of meetings with maritime stakeholders are planned for the months ahead.

But NGOs say the commmission's maritime plan shows total disregard for the natural environment.

"Europe needs to make its maritime sector sustainable if it hopes to ensure a dynamic and prosperous future for the industry," Greenpeace said in a statement.

"Although the commission's draft has improved, the green paper launched today  contains the same weakness as many growth-oriented documents coming from the Barroso commission: it ignores the fact that Europe will in the future have to do a lot more with a lot less."

The consultation will run until the end of June 2007 - when the commission is expected to publish a communication on the basis of the results.

• Previous article
• Next article