Marine and maritime top experts call for ‘European Marine Science & Technology Strategy’

Chair and co-Chairs of EurOCEAN 2007 - from left to right: Peter Heffernan (Marine Institute, Ireland), Joe Borg (EU Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs), Lars Horn (Marine Board – ESF), Peter Herzig (KDM, Germany) and Joao Coimbra (CIMAR, Portugal) © MB/ESF

Experts in marine science and policy from all over Europe, meeting at the EurOCEAN 2007 conference in Aberdeen on 22nd June, agreed that economic development of the marine environment, the environmental management, and the study of effects on climate change would all benefit from a comprehensive ‘European Marine Science and Technology Strategy’. This strategy is absolutely necessary to support the planned European Maritime Policy.

The ‘Aberdeen Declaration’ issued by the Conference, calls for the development of a co-ordinated approach to marine science across Europe, fundamental to secure support for the implementation of recommendations in the EU Green Paper 'Towards a Future Maritime Policy for the Union: A European Vision for the Oceans and Seas'. The ‘Aberdeen Declaration’ is an evolution from a similar declaration, adopted in Galway (Ireland) at EurOCEAN 2004. It was instrumental in securing marine science and technology as a priority cross-cutting theme in the EU 7th FP for research funding.

© MB/ESF

The conference delegates believe that such a research strategy will contribute significantly to the quality of life in Europe by providing the supporting science and technology for a comprehensive EU maritime policy. It will also allow Europe to increase its share of the estimated €4,360 billion global maritime market economy through the development of innovative marine and environmental technologies. These include: marine biotechnology, renewable ocean energy systems, novel maritime and transportation approaches, innovative ocean observation systems and associated technologies, marine leisure and tourism and the sustainable use of biological resources.

The EurOCEAN 2007 Conference was jointly organised by the Marine Board/ESF (soon with their offices in Oostende) and the European Commission. It was attended by some 200 representatives of the international marine and maritime science and technology community, policy makers, representatives of non-Government organisations and other key stakeholders from over twenty countries worldwide.

Also the marine scientists of Flanders are convinced of the importance of this ‘strategy’. Their vision was represented at the Aberdeen meeting by the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ). The declaration has to stimulate scientific research and technological innovation implementation, necessary for the creation of a dynamic maritime economy, in harmony with the marine environment.

For further information: Jan Mees (059/34 21 30 - Jan.Mees@vliz.be) of marineboard@esf.org