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(New page: == An Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union -The '''Blue Book''' == The European Commission launched a comprehensive consultation and analysis of how Europe relates to the sea...)
 
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== An Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union -The '''Blue Book''' ==
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The European Commission launched a comprehensive consultation and analysis of how Europe relates to the sea. See Report on the Consultation process -COM(2007)547
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== An Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union -The '''Blue Book'''<ref>COM(2007)575 final, Brussels, 10.10.2007 -An Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union -Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions
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</ref> ==
  
Building in this valuable input the Commission presented, on 10 October 2007, its vision for '''an Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union'''. This vision is based on the clear recognition that all matters relating to Europe's oceans and seas are interlinked, and that sea-related policies must develop in a joined-up way if are to reap the desired results <ref>COM(2007)575 final, Brussels, 10.10.2007</ref>
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The European Commission launched a comprehensive consultation and analysis of how Europe relates to the sea.
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''(See also the [[Green Paper for a EU Maritime Policy|Green Paper for an EU Maritime Policy]])''
  
The Blue Book lays the foundation for the governance framework and cross-sectoral tools necessary for an EU Integrated Maritime Policy and sets out the main actions that the Commission will pursue during the course of this mandate. These actions will be guided by the principles of subsidiarity and competitiveness, the ecosystem approach, and stakeholder participation.
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Building in this valuable input the Commission presented, on 10 October 2007, its vision for '''an Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union''', also called the '''Blue Book'''. This vision is based on the clear recognition that all matters relating to Europe's oceans and seas are interlinked, and that sea-related policies must develop in a joined-up way if are to reap the desired results
  
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[[Image:Diver_right.jpg|100px|right|thumb|Logo of the Blue Book]]
  
An EU Integrated Maritime Policy will:
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The Blue Book is accompanied by the other 3 documents:
  
* Change the way we make policy and take decisions -an integrated, inter-sectoral approach is strongly advocated for
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*a [http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2007:0574:FIN:EN:PDF Report on the stakeholder consultation results]
* Develop and deliver a programme of work -action under the different sectoral policies must develop in a coherent policy framework
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*a detailed [http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/pdf/ActionPaper/action_plan_en.pdf Action Plan]-aiming at exploring the full potential of sea-based economic activity in an environmental sustainable manner
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*an [http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/pdf/summary/sec_2007_1280_en.pdf Impact Assessment]
  
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The '''Blue Book''' lays the foundation for the '''governance framework''' and '''cross-sectoral tools''' necessary for an EU Integrated Maritime Policy.
  
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It also sets out the '''main actions''' that the Commission will pursue, during the course of this mandate, in the following five '''action areas''':
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*Maximising the Sustainable Use of the Oceans and Seas
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*Building a knowledge and innovation base for the maritime policy
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*Delivering the Highest Quality of Life in Coastal Regions
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*Promoting Europe's Leadership in International Maritime Affairs
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*Raising the Visibility of Maritime Europe
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== A Governance Framework ==
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An Integrated Maritime Policy requires a '''governance framework''' that applies the integrated approach at every level
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Related actions by the Commission:
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*invite Member States to draw up national integrated maritime policies, working closely with stakeholders, in particular the coastal regions;
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*propose in 2008 a set of guidelines for these national integrated maritime policies and report annually on EU and Member States' actions in this regard from 2009;
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*organise a stakeholder consultation structure, feeding into further development of the maritime policy and allowing exchange of best practices
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== Cross-sectoral tools ==
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An integrated governance framework for maritime affairs requires horizontal planning tools that cut across sea-related sectoral policies and support joined up policy making. The most relevant tools are the following:
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'''A European network for maritime surveillance''' -for the safe and secure use of marine space
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Related actions by the Commission:
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*promote improved cooperation between Member States' Coastguards and appropriate agencies
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*take steps towards a more interoperable surveillance system to bring together existing monitoring and tracking systems used for maritime safety and security, protection of the marine environment, fisheries control, control of external borders and other law enforcement activities
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'''Maritime Spatial Planning and ICZM''' -for sustainable decision-making
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Related actions by the Commission:
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*develop a roadmap in 2008 to facilitate the development of maritime spatial planning by Member States
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'''A comprehensive and accessble source of Data and Information''' -for informed decision-making
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Related actions by the Commission:
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*take steps in 2008 towards a European Marine Observation and Data Network (building inter alia on the GMES initiative)
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*promote the multi-dimensional mapping of Member States' waters, in order to improve access to high quality data
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== The Blue Book and Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) ==
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The Blue Book recognizes that existing planning frameworks have a largely terrestrial focus and often do not address how coastal development may affect the sea and vice-versa.
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In this regard, the Blue Book acknowledges that, following the EU Recommendation 2002/413/EC, Member States have begun to use ICZM to regulate the spatial deployment of economic activities and to set up spatial planning systems for Europe's coastal waters. Thus, the Blue Book proposes [[ICZM]] as a cross-sectoral tool -along with [[Theme 3|Maritime Spatial Planning]]-, supporting joined up policy making in the integrated governance framework for maritime affairs.
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As decision-making competence in this area lies with the Member States, the Blue Book states that what is needed, at the European level is ''a commitment to common principles and guidelines to facilitate the process in a flexible manner and to ensure that regional marine ecosystems that transcend national maritime boundaries are respected''.
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The Blue Book states that ''a system for exchange of best practice among authorities engaged in marine spatial planning and ICZM will be set up''. However, it is important to note that it is not clearly acknowledged if this is one of the actions that the Commission will undertake.
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== Further reading ==
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* See also ''[[The European Context|EU coastal related policies]]''
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* See also ''[[Capacity Building in the frame of EU ICZM related policies]]''
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== External links ==
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[http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/dev_imp_en.html Development of an Integrated Maritime Policy for the EU]
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[http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/contrib_rc_en.html EU Maritime Affairs Documentation Centre]
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==
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<references/>
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{{author
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| AuthorID=12516
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| AuthorFullName=Garriga, Maica
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|AuthorName=Maicagarriga}}
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[[category: Integrated coastal zone management]]
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[[category:International coastal organisation]]
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[[category:Policy and decision making in coastal management]]
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[[category:theme 10]]
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[[category:Education, awareness and capacity building in integrated coastal zone management]]
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[[category:Techniques and methods in coastal management]]

Revision as of 14:17, 9 July 2009

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This article is recommended by the editorial team.

An Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union -The Blue Book[1]

The European Commission launched a comprehensive consultation and analysis of how Europe relates to the sea. (See also the Green Paper for an EU Maritime Policy)

Building in this valuable input the Commission presented, on 10 October 2007, its vision for an Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union, also called the Blue Book. This vision is based on the clear recognition that all matters relating to Europe's oceans and seas are interlinked, and that sea-related policies must develop in a joined-up way if are to reap the desired results

Logo of the Blue Book

The Blue Book is accompanied by the other 3 documents:

The Blue Book lays the foundation for the governance framework and cross-sectoral tools necessary for an EU Integrated Maritime Policy.

It also sets out the main actions that the Commission will pursue, during the course of this mandate, in the following five action areas:

  • Maximising the Sustainable Use of the Oceans and Seas
  • Building a knowledge and innovation base for the maritime policy
  • Delivering the Highest Quality of Life in Coastal Regions
  • Promoting Europe's Leadership in International Maritime Affairs
  • Raising the Visibility of Maritime Europe

A Governance Framework

An Integrated Maritime Policy requires a governance framework that applies the integrated approach at every level

Related actions by the Commission:

  • invite Member States to draw up national integrated maritime policies, working closely with stakeholders, in particular the coastal regions;
  • propose in 2008 a set of guidelines for these national integrated maritime policies and report annually on EU and Member States' actions in this regard from 2009;
  • organise a stakeholder consultation structure, feeding into further development of the maritime policy and allowing exchange of best practices

Cross-sectoral tools

An integrated governance framework for maritime affairs requires horizontal planning tools that cut across sea-related sectoral policies and support joined up policy making. The most relevant tools are the following:

A European network for maritime surveillance -for the safe and secure use of marine space

Related actions by the Commission:

  • promote improved cooperation between Member States' Coastguards and appropriate agencies
  • take steps towards a more interoperable surveillance system to bring together existing monitoring and tracking systems used for maritime safety and security, protection of the marine environment, fisheries control, control of external borders and other law enforcement activities

Maritime Spatial Planning and ICZM -for sustainable decision-making

Related actions by the Commission:

  • develop a roadmap in 2008 to facilitate the development of maritime spatial planning by Member States

A comprehensive and accessble source of Data and Information -for informed decision-making

Related actions by the Commission:

  • take steps in 2008 towards a European Marine Observation and Data Network (building inter alia on the GMES initiative)
  • promote the multi-dimensional mapping of Member States' waters, in order to improve access to high quality data

The Blue Book and Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM)

The Blue Book recognizes that existing planning frameworks have a largely terrestrial focus and often do not address how coastal development may affect the sea and vice-versa.

In this regard, the Blue Book acknowledges that, following the EU Recommendation 2002/413/EC, Member States have begun to use ICZM to regulate the spatial deployment of economic activities and to set up spatial planning systems for Europe's coastal waters. Thus, the Blue Book proposes ICZM as a cross-sectoral tool -along with Maritime Spatial Planning-, supporting joined up policy making in the integrated governance framework for maritime affairs.

As decision-making competence in this area lies with the Member States, the Blue Book states that what is needed, at the European level is a commitment to common principles and guidelines to facilitate the process in a flexible manner and to ensure that regional marine ecosystems that transcend national maritime boundaries are respected.

The Blue Book states that a system for exchange of best practice among authorities engaged in marine spatial planning and ICZM will be set up. However, it is important to note that it is not clearly acknowledged if this is one of the actions that the Commission will undertake.

Further reading

External links

Development of an Integrated Maritime Policy for the EU

EU Maritime Affairs Documentation Centre

References

  1. COM(2007)575 final, Brussels, 10.10.2007 -An Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union -Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions


The main author of this article is Garriga, Maica
Please note that others may also have edited the contents of this article.

Citation: Garriga, Maica (2009): The Blue Book. Available from http://www.coastalwiki.org/wiki/The_Blue_Book [accessed on 19-03-2024]