Conference in Brussels to discuss the developing European Maritime Policy leaves little doubt that maritime stakeholders are not always treated equally.
The Mare Forum, the Dutch Maritime Network, and the European Network of Maritime Clusters, with support from the European Commission held a conference in Brussels on 17 November entitled ‘The New European Maritime Policy Forum – Challenges and Opportunities’ (see links below). This conference has been one of the few high-level forums to date dealing with this critical issue of oceans use in Europe. Of central importance is the need for stakeholders to come together in a balanced setting to express ideas and concerns within the context of a future Maritime Policy.
Despite the exceedingly high ‘stakes’ for millions of Europeans, the balance of stakeholder presence and participation at this event was disconcerting. While the shipping and related auxiliary industries were exceedingly well represented, others including fisheries, conservation interests and consumer groups to name a few, were not. Therefore, a truly balanced dialogue and exchange of ideas on a range of several complex challenges that a new Maritime Policy will have to consolidate was lacking. This put a heavy shipping industry ‘flavour’ to the event, which was in fact meant to:
‘…provide all relevant stakeholders with the opportunity to voice their views and expectations for such an ambitious project.’
In addition to the emerging Maritime Policy, another EU policy process harnessed much attention, drove debates and also likely influenced the balance of participants at this conference, as well as the agendas they pursued: the Lisbon Process. Indeed, some key concerns expressed by several maritime industries at the forum was the perceived ever increasing environmental legislation and associated ‘red tape’ which the shipping industry in particular felt was negatively impacting their bottom-line and overall profitability margins.
The UK Minister of Transport, Stephen Ladyman, representing the current UK Presidency of the European Council, and presenting his ‘vision on a future European Maritime Policy’ commented that there should be no more environmental legislation imposed on maritime industries until a full impact assessment of such upon the industries can be undertaken. While existing environmental legislation has not been as effective as it needs to be, certainly not in terms of protecting marine ecosystems, the marine environment itself and the poor condition of Europe’s seas hardly got a look in from the Minister. The stage was set.
Yet, the environmental interests, while marginalized at the forum in terms of numbers and opportunities to contribute to debates, were well represented by Greenpeace who made an intervention while on a panel on behalf of a coalition of European NGOs. The urgent need for action to protect Europe’s oceans and seas, as well as the discourse between various European legislation and conventions, and the risks to the environment posed by a weak Marine Framework Directive (proposed together with the EU Marine Strategy (see link below) and expected to be the “environmental pillar” of the Maritime Policy) were all articulated.
The event concluded with keynote addresses by Joe Borg, Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs (see link below), and Andris Piebalgs, Commissioner for Energy. Importantly, both of the Commissioners commented on the need to use Europe’s seas wisely and to enhance economic productivity within the limits of what the marine environment can sustain. While such sweeping comments may not have gone far enough to address environmental concerns, there was some comfort in the Commission’s delivering such a message. Clearly, however, environmental interests and many other stakeholders will be looking to the Commission to translate such statements into concrete actions as we continue to follow the progress of the EU Maritime Policy.
The development of such a policy, able to effectively promote sustainable use of Europe’s seas and the many sectors that rely on ocean resources, will depend on balanced and effective stakeholder engagement. It is hoped this recent event is not an indicator of the Commission’s ‘Roadmap’ for stakeholder consultation.
The EU Maritime Policy Green Paper is expected to be released in the first half of 2006.