MEMO/08/311

Brussels, 19 May 2008

Questions and Answers on European Maritime Day

Why does the EU need a Maritime Day? Europe has almost 70,000 km of coastline, and the maritime regions of the EU represent some 40% of both its population and its economy (GDP). Yet one of the key results of the year-long consultation which preceded the launch of the new Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP) was the pervasive sense among maritime stakeholders that the role of the maritime – whether on the economic, social or cultural level – is not widely understood or appreciated. European Maritime Day is therefore intended to provide an opportunity to raise awareness of the opportunities and challenges facing the sector, to encourage networking among its different actors, and to celebrate its achievements and its contribution to the life of all EU citizens, whether or not they work with or live by the sea. While the initiative is being launched jointly by the three main European institutions – the Commission, the Council and the Parliament – it is expected that the maritime sector, and the maritime regions of Europe, will in future be the driving force behind the activities that are organised annually on 20 May. Member States and Regional Governments, organisations of civil society and social partners, NGOs, Ports, Science Institutions and any other organisations working in relation to the sea are therefore invited to participate in the celebrations with their own activities. These can range from open ports and harbour days, to environmental actions, to networking among museums and aquaria, to highlighting maritime projects -- anything that the stakeholders in the regions feel they want to use European Maritime Day to bring to the attention of the wider public.

What else is happening this year to mark the first Maritime Day? In addition to the formal launch and celebrations to be held in Brussels and in Strasbourg, a number of stakeholder-led events are planned for around Europe during the days around 20 May. These range from major initiatives such as the Week of the Sea in the Netherlands, to more local events such as an action to remove dangerous waste from the harbour floor of Ponza Island in Italy, or a community festival in Plymouth, UK, combining live music with a yachting competition. An updated list of Maritime Day events which have been notified to the Commission can be found at: http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/maritime-day-2008_en.html. Why was the date of 20 May chosen? The date was chosen mainly due to its proximity to the tourism season, and also in order to avoid conflicts with other major events or established days taking place in Europe. Linking the European Maritime Day to any of the existing, established Oceans initiatives would run the risk of giving an unbalanced sectoral weight to the EU's integrated maritime policy, without emphasising the cross-sectoral approach for which it has been specifically developed. The World Oceans Day is celebrated on June 8th every year, but is specifically focused on environmental issues. Likewise, the International Maritime Organisation's (IMO) World Maritime Day which is celebrated annually during the last week of September is already closely associated with the shipping sector.

How has the Commission's Action Plan to implement the EU maritime policy progressed since it was launched last October? The implementation of the Action Plan is proceeding according to our expectations, and much progress has been made since its adoption in October 2007. Particular highlights include proposals to combat illegal fishing, a Communication on a European Ports Policy, a staff working document on maritime clusters, a staff working document on ensuring a better fit between energy policy and maritime policy, a Communication on the eco-system approach, and of course the proposal to establish a maritime day. However, it should also be noted that the actions related to the implementation of an integrated maritime policy have already expanded well beyond what was indicated in the initial action plan. They now include, for example, the development of a Baltic Sea Strategy, and a proposed Mediterranean Green Paper. Specific upcoming actions of interest include a strategy on maritime research in the maritime sectors which will be a cornerstone of maritime policy, and which should be ready in mid-2008, as well as an EU offshore wind energy action plan which will be adopted by the end of 2008.

How will the Maritime Day evolve in the future? The European Maritime Day will be the catalyst for a maritime week as of 2009, and ideas for its development and structure are currently being discussed at the European Maritime Day Stakeholder Conference in Brussels.

Further information can be found here: http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/maritime-day-2008_fr.html and in IP/08/750

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