European Maritime Affairs & Fisheries
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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 Connect to our online magazine where you will find more articles updated every month. Use the QR code to subscribe and receive information about the themes highlighted in this issue and previous issues. 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 SUBSCRIPTION Yes, I would like to receive the free magazine ES DA DE EL EN FR To receive the free magazine European Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (four issues per year) in: European Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (four IT NL PT FI SV issues per year), write to the following address: European Commission Number of copies: . Maritime Affairs and Fisheries DG Information, communication, inter-institutional relations, evaluation Surname: . First name: . and programming Unit Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 200 Organisation/Title: . B-1049 Brussels Street: . .Number: . .PO box: . or by fax to: (+32) 2 297 95 64 Email: [email protected] Postcode: . .Town: . .Country: . Tel.: . .Fax: . I would like to be kept informed about the European Commission’s activities in the area of maritime affairs and fisheries. Email:. I take note of the European Commission’s commitment not to disclose my personal data to third parties or to re-use them for purposes other than that for which they have been collected or for direct or indirect marketing purposes. I may ask to be removed from its contact list at any time. 2 © European Union © European 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.