1. Developing the Blue/Green Economy

2. Global Maritime Economy is essential for Europe
Up to 5 million jobs in the EU maritime economy
€ 550 bn GVA
Traditional sectors (shipbuilding, fisheries) and innovative industries (biotech, seabed mining, renewables)
Substantial innovation potential
Growing need for resources, but limits to land-based solutions (food security, raw materials, energy, …)
Success depends on healthy oceans

3. International context
World Summit on Sustainable Development (Rio+20)
Post-2015 Development Agenda
Sustainable Development Goals
Management of the oceans is a global responsibility
Should be tackled now because of:
increase in maritime activities
increasing pressures on the oceans (climate change, pollution, …)

4. EU and Member States are at the forefront of ocean management
Maritime Policy and Blue Growth agenda :
Growth, innovation, funding
Standard setting legislation and management policies:
Marine Strategy Framework Directive
Maritime Spatial Planning Directive
Reformed Common Fisheries Policy
Rules on Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated Fisheries
Maritime Policies and coordination in Member States
Efforts in RFMOs and RSCs (eg OSPAR and HELCOM)

5. Example: Marine Spatial Planning
Issue:
conflicts on access to maritime space because of increased use
Cooperation and framework needed to ensure coherent and sustainable development
Legal certainty needed for private sector
Entered into force: September 2014, MSP in all marine waters of Member States by 2021

6. International framework needs to be strengthened
International institutions have grown organically. There are overlaps and loopholes: more cooperation needed
Eg: need for an integrated approach on ocean governance vs segmentation of instruments (RFMOs, RSCs)
The development of new and emerging sectors requires better global arrangements to:
ensure responsible development
create a level playing field for EU companies
protect the marine environment

7. Ocean-based economy adds $1,2 trn in economic value (McKinsey)
70 million jobs worldwide depend directly on healthy oceans
Corporate Ocean Responsibility?
What will be the role and responsibility of the private sector?

8. Example: Ocean energy "Blue Energy": Communication (20/01/2014)
Creation of an Ocean Energy Forum, which is to deliver a strategic roadmap for the development of the sector (first draft: October 2015), tackling bottlenecks in three areas:
technology
finance
environment/consenting
Aim: finetune policies in order to support the development of the sector towards commercialisation
Figure 1: Manufacturing capacity supporting the ocean energy sector (dark blue circles) across Europe.

9. Example: Seabed mining
- The deep sea is largely unexplored, but indications of substantial mineral resources
- EU Member States hold several exploration licences, EU companies have technology lead
- It will happen, better that EU is engaged in shaping framework to ensure responsible approach

10. Marine Biotechnology
Marine biological resources  new products and services = new jobs
Most important things:
Keep supporting research
Preserve habitats

11. Conclusion Ocean Governance:
Commissioner Vella to plan a listening tour + lanch a public consultation (aim to launch during Blue Week - June)
Oceans are interconnected systems: if we are to ensure sustainable use, we will have to find global solutions