The European Commission has launched an initiative for the sustainable development of the blue economy in the Western Mediterranean region. This is the fruit of years of dialogue between ten countries of the region who are ready and willing to work together on these shared interests for the region.
The five EU Member States of France, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Malta, and five Southern partner countries, Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia, have all pledged their participation. This follows the MedFish4Ever Declaration, signed by Mediterranean ministerial representatives of eight EU member states and seven third countries on the on 30 March. The two initiatives are expect to complement each other in protecting the region's ecological and economic wealth.
The western Mediterranean initiative covers economic hubs such as Barcelona, Marseille, Naples and Tunis while also encompassing tourist destinations such as the Balearic Islands, Sicily and Corsica. According to the EU Commission, Initiative for the sustainable development of the blue economy of the Western Mediterranean is another example of the EU's successful neighbourhood policy.
According to a recent report by scientists from the Joint Research Centre, there are strong indications that 50% of the region’s biodiversity has been lost in the last 50 years. In addition to this are recent security and safety concerns from the increase in migration from the south to the north.
This initiative will allow EU and neighbouring countries to work together to increase maritime safety and security, promote sustainable blue growth and jobs, and preserve ecosystems and biodiversity.
"Millions of holiday makers have a happy association with the Western Mediterranean. Like the millions more who live across the region, they understand the fragile link between conserving national habitats and traditions and ensuring economic viability. Blue economy is important for each of the countries involved and they have recognised the strength of working together,” commented Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella.
''This new regional initiative recognises and taps into the economic potential of the Mediterranean Sea and its coast lines to further enhance economic growth, contribute to job creation and eventually the stabilisation of the region,” stated Johannes Hahn, Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations. “It is an important step towards closer coordination and cooperation among participating countries."
The stated goals of the western Mediterranean initiative are to foster co-operation between the ten concerned nations to ensure a safer and more secure maritime space, a smart and resilient blue economy and better governance of the sea.
Gaps and challenges have been identified and a number of priorities and targeted actions have been set for each goal.
For Goal 1 the priorities include co-operation between national coast guards and the response to accidents and oil spills. Specific actions will focus on the upgrade of traffic monitoring infrastructure, data sharing and capacity building. For Goal 2 priorities are new data sourcing, biotechnology and coastal tourism. Under Goal 3, priority is given to spatial planning, marine knowledge, habitat conservation and sustainable fisheries.
The initiative will be funded by existing international, EU, national and regional funds and financial instruments, which will be coordinated and complementary. This should create leverage and attract funding from other public and private investors
