Thematic Strategy for the Protection and Conservation of the Marine Environment

1. Thematic Strategy for the Protection and Conservation of the Marine Environment

2. Political mandate • 6th Environment Action Programme (2002) • Marine protection is one the 7 Thematic Strategies recognised need for concerted policy • Communication 2002 “Towards a Strategy to Protect and Conserve the Marine Environment” (COM(2002)539final, 2 October 2002) • Parliament Resolution and Council Conclusions in 2003: clear mandate for an European Marine Strategy • Endorsement by the CoP of the Barcelona Convention and other Regional Conventions J Rizo, MED POL NC

3. Preparatory process Extensive stakeholder consultation • 2003-2004: extensive stakeholder consultation process (EU25 and European third countries, 16 international commissions/conventions, 21 industry and civil society organisations)… • … Culminating in 10-12 November 2004 Stakeholder Conference in Rotterdam • Wide consensus has emerged from this process in favour of the approach taken for the strategy. J Rizo, MED POL NC

4. New developments • Green Paper for EU Maritime Policy • Announced by President Barroso when he took office • Scheduled for February 2006 • Under the responsibility of Commissioner Borg, in charge of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs • To be developed by a Maritime Policy Task Force of Commissioners • Complementarity with the Marine Strategy • Marine Strategy can be conceived as the environmental component • Environmental protection of the marine is a precondition for achieving sustainable economic activities and employment under the Green Paper on EU Maritime Policy • Clear benefit to improved coordination across the different policy areas representing the different uses and users of the sea. J Rizo, MED POL NC

5. Objective and key elements • The objective of the Strategy is to protect Europe’s oceans and seas and ensure that human activities are carried out in a sustainable manner so that current and future generations enjoy and benefit from biologically diverse and dynamic oceans and seas that are safe, clean, healthy and productive. • The main elements • regional approach • ecoosystem-based approach • co-operative approach J Rizo, MED POL NC

6. Regional approach Common DimensionEU/Europe Strategic goals & Objectives Ecosystem Approach to human activities Streamlining and coordination of Monitoring and Assessment • Hazardous subst. • selection • prioritising • dev.of measures Habitats and Marine Protected areas Regional Implementation Development of Regional Plans for Implementation Operational objectives, measures, actions J Rizo, MED POL NC

7. The Ecosystem Approach • Encompassing the environment to be protected as well as the human activities. • Quantitative and Qualitative targets. . • Risk socially managed. J Rizo, MED POL NC

8. Implementation • Development of “Implementation Plans” at regional scale • “Implementation plans” should include: • Assessment of the environmental situation, including an inventory of human activities • Regional objectives to achieve the strategic objectives, including indicators, limits and reference points • Actions to achieve the objectives • Monitoring and assessment programmes • Review system J Rizo, MED POL NC

9. J Rizo, MED POL NC

10. Joint project • Implementation of the Ecosystem Approach in the Mediterranean Basin • Methodology • Sources of information • Policy implications for the Convention • Up to 80.000 € • Steering Committee • Document • Open ended meeting • MED POL NC 07 J Rizo, MED POL NC