No. 69 December 2015

EUROPEAN MARITIME AFFAIRS & FISHERIES Places – Making a difference: How fisheries contribute to sustainable development around the globe Policy – Careers in the Blue Economy: How to close the skills gap and make the marine and maritime sectors more attractive to young people People – Interview: Jaap Gebraad shares with us the challenges and solutions to closing the gap in Blue Careers

Maritime Affairs and Fisheries European Maritime Affairs and Fisheries online magazine ec.europa.eu/dgs/maritimeaffairs_fisheries/magazine/en

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ONLINE ARTICLES

Discarding discards The EU pushing for better ocean governance: much to be done, much to be gained Bluefin tuna fishermen enjoy an important increase in quota Interview with Ian Jenkinson, Director of the School of Engineering, Technology and Maritime Operations at Liverpool John Moores University

WEB REFERENCES

Website of Karmenu Vella, European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries https://ec.europa.eu/commission/2014-2019/vella_en

Maritime Affairs and Fisheries site ec.europa.eu/dgs/maritimeaffairs_fisheries/index_en.htm

European Maritime Affairs and Fisheries is a magazine published by the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries of the European Commission. It is distributed free on request (see subscription slip below). European Maritime Affairs and Fisheries is published four times a year and is also available online: http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/maritimeaffairs_fisheries/magazine Editor: European Commission, Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Director-General. Disclaimer: Whilst the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries DG is responsible for the overall production of this magazine, it is not responsible for the accuracy, content or views expressed within particular articles. The Commission has not, save where otherwise stated, adopted or in any way approved any views appearing in this publication, and statements should not be relied upon as statements of the Commission’s or the Maritime Affairs and Fisheries DG’s views. © European Union, 2015 Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged. Cover picture: © Nightman1965 Printed in Belgium – Printed on white chlorine-free paper

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Close your eyes and imagine the ocean: the sound of waves crashing against rocks, the smell of salt in the air. Picture children playing on the beach, fishing boats casting their nets far out at sea, the blades of offshore windfarms turning steadily in the wind. Picture this and you begin to grasp the importance of the oceans for our climate, for our economies, for our well-being. Oceans make up 71% of our planet. They provide 50% of the oxygen and absorb 30% of the CO2 around us. The oceans’ value to us – in delivering food, energy, medicine and much more – has been estimated by the WWF at a mind-boggling €22 trillion. It is up to us to ensure we do not squander this wealth, but protect and preserve it for future generations. That is the purpose of the European Union’s Blue Growth strategy, which allows our maritime activities to thrive while maintaining high standards for environmental protection. Our Member States have also been implementing strong national initiatives to protect and preserve marine ecosystems. The international community, too, is making steps in the right direction. Earlier this year, the UN reached a consensus on developing a new Implementing Agreement on marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction. And among the Sustainable Development Goals adopted in New York, Goal 14 clearly states: “Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources”. This is progress. But will it be enough? I remain convinced that governance gaps exist when it comes to managing our oceans sustainably. I have therefore spent the last few months listening to and consulting with our partners, in Europe and around the globe, on how the world is currently dealing with oceans and their use by mankind. I want to figure out what role the European Union can play in improving the current framework of international rules, conventions, fora and policies. Our cutting-edge system designed to tackle illegal fishing is an example of which we can be justifiably proud. Based on the results of this exercise, we will launch a major initiative on international ocean governance next year. The European Union controls 40% of the world’s fishing fleet. Our seafood market is the biggest in the world. Our maritime economy generates €520 billion annually in gross value added. We stand ready to assume the responsibility that comes with this size. But we cannot do this alone, nor can anybody else. What we can do is listen to one another, learn from one another, and decide how best to move forward, together.

Karmenu Vella European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Twitter: @KarmenuVella

3 PLACES — In depth

Making a difference: How fisheries contribute to sustainable development around the globe

The European Union is the world’s largest during the European Year of Development’s donor of development aid. But while a thematic month of food security in majority of citizens believe such aid is vitally October. important, some 50% admit they don’t know Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture ensure where EU aid goes. What exactly does the EU food and nutrition security in some of the use this money for? What types of projects world’s poorest regions. In West Africa, Asian does it support? coastal countries and many small island states, To answer these questions and better the proportion of total dietary protein from showcase its development work, the European fish can reach 60% or more. Fish also contains Union has designated 2015 as the European micronutrients and fatty acids that are essential Year of Development. This is no coincidence: for vulnerable parts of populations like 2015 is the target year for reaching the UN children and pregnant women. Millennium Development Goals, set back Moreover, fisheries and trade in fisheries in 2000. Just last month, the international products contribute to alleviating poverty. community adopted a follow-up framework, Around the world, some 660 to 880 million the Sustainable Development Goals, at the UN people – 12% of the world population – General Assembly in New York. depend on fisheries and aquaculture for their The EU’s contribution to these global livelihood. Fish represent one of the most goals is substantial. It is firmly committed traded food commodities, with about 40% of to eradicating poverty worldwide, and to fishery and aquaculture production entering doing so in a way that promotes sustainable international trade and a yearly export value solutions for future generations. This of more than €115 billion. Trade of fish and strategy has proven effective in tackling fishery products provides an important source poverty and human rights abuses – but of income for many countries, particularly it also applies to fisheries, as highlighted developing countries.

Fishing quay under

construction in the Seychelles, Union © European co-financed by the EU. See more below.

4 PLACES — In depth

However, more needs to be done to ensure Moreover, the EU has established that fisheries around the world are equitable, partnerships with developing countries to profitable, and sustainable. And since the EU secure fish stocks for future generations is not only the world’s largest aid donor but and to stamp out illegal, unreported and also the world’s largest market for seafood, it unregulated (IUU) fishing. Sustainable has a clear responsibility to support developing Fisheries Partnership Agreements cover 7% countries in tackling existing challenges. of total EU catches, with a budget of €135m Since 2007, the EU’s development policy per year. 22% of that EU investment goes has financed more than 50 projects in the field directly to technical support measures, for of fisheries and aquaculture, totalling €230 instance to modernise and upgrade developing million over the period 2007-2014. Projects countries’ fisheries and to tackle the scourge of range from national to global, with 50% in IUU fishing, which destroys the livelihoods of Africa and the rest in Asia and the Pacific. honest fishermen. (Some of the EU’s fisheries success stories are In fisheries, as in its development policy, outlined in the box accompanying this article.) the EU is leading the way towards greater The EU’s fisheries policy is also doing its bit sustainability and more international to protect and preserve the ocean’s resources for cooperation. In doing so, it is paving the future generations, both at home by focusing way for an inclusive, fair, transparent and on scientific advice and an ecosystem approach, law-based exploitation of fisheries resources and abroad by bringing these principles to – to ensure healthy people and healthy seas, Regional Fisheries Management Organisations. everywhere.

1. Indian Ocean Surveillance project has led to the construction of a 120-metre quay on In spite of its distance from the European mainland, the the Île du Port in Victoria, which can take landings from European Union is playing a key role in surveillance in the several large tuna vessels simultaneously. This enables the southwest Indian Ocean, helping to monitor and control Seychelles to retain its strategic role as the EU fleet’s main fishing activities in the region. landing and transhipping port for tuna in the Indian Ocean. Since 2007, in collaboration with the Indian Ocean The EU has also co-funded a long-line training vessel Commission, the EU has participated in the Regional Plan to train Seychelles Maritime Training School students in for Fisheries Surveillance in the southwest Indian Ocean navigation and fishing techniques, allowing them to better in order to fight more effectively against IUU fishing. IUU target more valuable species of fish. Moreover, to encourage fishing is a major problem in the region: according to the local entrepreneurs to get involved in fish processing, the EU Secure Fisheries project, it accounts for 32% of fishing in the co-funded the construction of three fish processing facilities. east Indian Ocean and 18% in the west. By maximising sea and surveillance capacity at a regional 3. Madagascar level, introducing vessel monitoring systems and getting Julienne Razafindrafara is a former crab fisher who lives inspection personnel from the coastal states countries of the in one of the four villages chosen for a pilot scheme under Indian Ocean region to work together in integrated teams, the SmartFish programme financed by the EU. Under the ocean surveillance has been greatly improved, leading to the programme, new methods have been introduced so that detention of increased numbers of vessels fishing illegally Mangrove crabs are captured alive in the Mahajanga region of in the southwest Indian Ocean. This support has been Madagascar. enhanced by the network of fisheries partnership agreements “Only a year ago we lost half the catch after we’d caught in the Indian Ocean (Madagascar, Comoros, the Seychelles the crabs,” Julienne says. The crabs are popular in Asian and Mauritius), each providing capacity-building by their markets, but living crabs sell for twice the price of frozen respective fishing monitoring centres and, in the case of ones. Julienne works with 60 fishers who are supplied with Madagascar, efficient air and naval control. tanks to selectively trap large crabs without damaging them, as well as specially designed boats to transport the catch to 2. The Seychelles Mahajanga. The Seychelles are seeing the real economic benefits of its “The new material supplied by the EU has significantly Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement with the EU, reduced our losses,” she says. “I was a crab fisher myself and I worth €15.2 million over a six-year period. One €3.2 million can tell you this has changed our lives.”

5 POLICY — In depth

Careers in the Blue Economy: How to close the skills gap and make the marine and maritime sectors more attractive to young people

Our coasts and seas have the potential to find it difficult to fill the vacancies they have. deliver growth and jobs in the coming years. Meanwhile, unemployment levels grow. In order to achieve Blue Growth, the European As older employees in Europe’s maritime Commission’s long-term strategy to further industry retire, many are not being replaced. harness the potential of Europe’s oceans, Reasons vary from sector to sector and across seas and coasts for sustainable growth in the regions. However, the main causes are related marine and maritime sectors, highly qualified to a poor image of the marine sector and a lack and skilled professionals are needed. Yet of knowledge among school-leavers about the many Blue Economy sectors are experiencing broad range of marine and maritime career difficulties in finding the right employees for opportunities. To address this skills shortage, highly qualified technical positions – and most the Blue Economy sectors need to be made sectors expect these difficulties to continue more attractive and exciting for students. throughout the foreseeable future. Another hurdle is the gender imbalance Why is this the case? Often, the that exists in most maritime sectors. Few knowledge and skills provided by educational women are attracted to working in what is establishments do not correspond to the Blue traditionally seen as a man’s world. Schemes Economy’s needs. As a result, companies such as the Generation BALT project are

Growth in the Blue Economy is dependent on job creation in emerging sectors but also on traditional lines of work such as shipbuilding.These require

an appropriately skilled and © Nightman1965 specialist workforce.

6 POLICY — In depth

helping women like Eva Errestad, who has a in Spain and the United Kingdom support this degree in marine biology, to pursue careers assessment. The academic world often finds it in the Blue Economy. “At the time, I had difficult to adapt curricula to innovation and an unskilled, part-time job outside of my technological developments, the increased maritime field,” she says. “I figured this use of foreign languages and the rising need was my last chance to do something with for ICT skills. At the same time, companies my degree. The course gave me a key to get today are looking for professionals who are back into the business and it gave me the not only able to apply technical knowledge confidence to apply for a job I wouldn’t even and competences but also to work in teams, have dared to apply for.” communicate effectively, take decisions The European Commission has also under pressure and adapt quickly to new recognised the problem. As its 2014 environments and technologies. In the words Communication on Innovation in the Blue of Commissioner Karmenu Vella: “Ideas and Economy acknowledged, “Growth in the Blue money aren’t enough if we don’t have the skills Economy will require an appropriately skilled to make them a reality”. workforce able to apply the latest technologies Maritime clusters have been identified as in engineering and a range of other disciplines. the most suitable actors to respond to these There is currently a skills gap that must be concerns. Such clusters include both industry tackled”. and educational bodies. Thanks to this varied The Communication was endorsed by the make-up, they can act as facilitators and European Parliament, whose report noted a mediators of change. For instance, they can “growing disengagement and disinvestment by encourage businesses to take on leadership Member States in the spheres of science and roles and see beyond immediate and individual education” and called on regional authorities company interests. to invest in “an ambitious social dimension of The Commission is looking to support Blue Growth and maritime literacy in order to such clusters and has announced that it shall promote training and access for young people launch a call for proposals on “Blue Careers in to maritime professions”. Europe” next year. The grants awarded would In short, it is high time for action. In recent aim to set up local or regional platforms for years, the European Commission has launched dialogue between business and education, several initiatives (e.g. the European Alliance allowing them to jointly develop and carry for Apprenticeships, the Youth Employment out measures to close the skills gap, tackle Initiative and the Erasmus+ programme) unemployment and make “Blue Careers” more to foster cooperation between schools and attractive to students. businesses and to help get young people into In addition, the recently launched Erasmus+ work. These were broad measures that did not programme for 20161 includes several initiatives target the Blue Economy alone. A more tailor- of interest to Blue Economy stakeholders. For made approach for these sectors, taking into instance, Sector Skills Alliances aim to create account regional differences, could provide European partnerships between industry, added value. vocational and educational training institutes The Commission has also organised more and regulatory bodies to define skills needs in sector-specific initiatives, including a thematic a specific sector and to design and implement session on maritime skills and Blue Careers, new curricula accordingly. Other Knowledge which took place at the European Maritime Alliances target higher education and aim to Day Conference in Piraeus, Athens in May this boost the relationship between industry and year. Discussions at the event found that the universities. 1For more information, skills gap results from a lack of communication We’ve analysed the situation and set the please visit: and collaboration between educational objective – now it is time to take another step http://ec.europa.eu/ institutions and business. Studies carried out forward in developing the Blue Economy! programmes/erasmus-plus/ discover/guide/index_en.htm

7 PEOPLE — At a glance

Interview: Jaap Gebraad shares with us the challenges and solutions to closing the gap in Blue Careers © Jaap Gebraad © Jaap

With the Blue Economy earmarked as an area of huge is that industry has a short-term perspective: they know potential growth, boosting Blue Careers is high on how much staff they need for the next three months the EU’s agenda. With this in mind and with the aim or maybe the next year, but it ends there. You need to of learning more about skills shortages in the Blue spend three or four years training for any profession, so Economy, we took the opportunity to interview Jaap there’s a gap. There’s a genuine need at a European level Gebraad. He is the project manager of the STC Group, to install platforms where discussions can take place a knowledge institute for all professions in the maritime about legislating for the necessary competencies. On cluster, from sea captains to train and lorry drivers, the other hand, development is happening very fast. For working in both the public and private sector. example, we have automatic cranes and no crane drivers. It’s difficult for education to keep up with the changes, Which sectors are most affected by the skills especially as most Member States have cut back on shortage? education spending. There is a worldwide shortage of seafaring personnel, especially on the officer side. In the offshore sector, Is there a greater need for vocational training rather which ranges from oil exploration to wind farms, than targeted degree courses? there are many vacancies – and we’re not seeing any Vocational training is also for three or four years for most improvement. Holland being an exception, in many of the professions. In offshore jobs I think there is too EU countries you are either trained as a captain or as a much specialisation, when in fact various jobs could be member of the engine room, not both. But in both cases combined. This is something the European Commission there are a huge number of vacancies, and not just in is looking into. the offshore sectors of the maritime clusters. Should industry be involved in designing curricula? Given the number of unemployed people, including We have regular discussions between educational university graduates, why is the industry failing to institutions, industry and ministries about what new attract new recruits? competencies the sector needs, and then we adapt People are unaware of the possibilities, although there the curricula as far as possible. Some countries insist are quite a lot of national initiatives designed to attract on generic degrees that make it difficult to enter the young people. But the profession is not ‘sexy’ enough: professions. We always say you need to cooperate with you’re away from home for a couple of months at a three partners in order to be efficient – industry, the time, and internet connections are poor, so you’re cut competent authorities and educational institutions. If you off from social media. The other factor is that, although combine forces with the three of them, you will find your there are a lot of vacancies, the ship owners tend to way out. If we can make our systems more flexible, this recruit in Southeast Asia, countries like Indonesia and will help all of us. Myanmar, because the salaries are lower. How important are soft skills to the industry?

At the EMD conference in Athens earlier this Communication skills and working with multicultural ISSN 2315-2605 year there seemed to be a consensus that there is a crews, and understanding other people’s values and culture, disconnection between educational institutions and is vitally important in all industries today. Schools need to industry. What’s your view on this? offer courses in cultural awareness or even understanding There is always a difference between what industry the body language of different cultures. And speaking more wants and what the public sector offers. The problem than one language fluently is vital. KL-AN-15-069-EN-C

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