The European Union's Integrated Maritime Policy

The Integrated European Maritime Policy was launched in October 2007 and is the vehicle which will deliver the maritime element of the European Commission’s Strategic Objectives for the period 2005-2009.

This integrated and innovative policy was developed as a result of a year long consultation exercise, following the launch of the discussion document “Towards a future Maritime Policy for the Union : European vision for the Oceans and Sea – The EU Maritime Green Paper” in June 2006.

The policy encompasses all elements of marine activity and provides for a holistic and integrated approach to address economic and sustainable development on a European Union wide basis.

The policy will cover a wide spectrum of issues related to sustainable development including :-

• marine transport;
• the competitiveness of marine businesses;
• employment in the marine sectors;
• scientific research; and
• protection of the marine environment.

The European Commission has published a number of Communications. These provide information on various aspects of the policy and include :-

• in October 2007 a Communication identifying a set of actions to be taken as a first step towards the implementation of the new policy; and
• in November 2008 a Communication on the Road Map for Marine Spatial Planning (MSP). MSP is a key instrument which can be used to assist co-ordinated action between public authorities and stakeholders to optimise the use of marine space for economic development and for the benefit of the marine environment. The Communication outlines the initial steps towards development of a common approach on MSP and seeks to encourage debate to help guide the development of MSP within the EU.

A copy of these Communications and information on progress to date on the policy implementation process is available from

ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/subpage_mpa_en.html .

Although the Department’s involvement in helping to develop and implement the Integrated European Maritime Policy has been limited, DOE is responsible for transposing the Marine Strategy Framework Directive, the environmental pillar of the policy. Additional information on this Directive is available from European Marine Thematic Strategy