• draws attention to the fact that the maritime economy in the broad sense is not limited to regions and entities with direct access to seas and oceans. To a large extent, the maritime economy is also relevant to regions situated far from coasts and ports on account of the fact that, among other things, they manufacture marine equipment and are engaged in activities in the transport and logistics and research and development sectors;
• urges that in developing the blue economy the regional features of Europe's sea-basins be used and taken into account for the purpose of implementation;
• notes the need to support aquaculture financially using EU funds whilst rejecting proposals for genetically modified aquatic organisms which are aimed at creating new species more resistant to diseases or environmental pollution;
• draws attention to military material leftover from the world wars and the cold war and radioactive waste dumped at sea in the past and believe it essential to draw up a methodology at European level and provide funds to make these dangerous materials safe;
calls for the Committee of the Regions, as the representative of local and regional authorities, to be asked systematically to take part in any further work on the concept of Blue Growth including on the development and establishment of the Sea Basin Strategies, which it considers to be an important tool to implement key aspects of Blue Growth.
Following a very warm and informative exchange between the CoR and EP Rapporteur in the spring 2013, the final resolution of the EP, adopted 2 July 2013 is clearly marked by the discussions between Mr Banaszak and Mr Danellis.
In one of its first point, the resolution stresses "importance of sharing information and best practices between the different levels of public authorities through the creation of a specific EU platform" and observes that that in order to boost the competitiveness of the Union's maritime economic sectors in the global market "local, regional, national and European authorities must create the necessary conditions for sustainable growth" .
The resolution also cautions that there significant differences between Member States in the development of management systems for maritime and coastal areas and urges the Member States to take into account "local specificities and needs in liaison with local authorities" when implementing EU maritime and coastal planning guidelines . The CoR opinion calls for "the Committee of the Regions, as the representative of local and regional authorities, to be asked systematically to take part in any further work (…) to implement key aspects of Blue Growth ".
The resolution echoes as well the concerns of the CoR opinion with regard to the shipwreck resting on the seabed around Europe and being potential dangerous. In line with the CoR view, the EP urges the Commission "to help Member States launch plans to map and survey wrecked ships". It further confirms the need to ensure that the mapping of the seabed of European waters should be completed by 2020 in a uniform manner .
The resolution calls on the Member States "with the direct involvement of local and regional authorities" to support initiatives to develop and upgrade sustainable tourism infrastructure while respecting environmental legislation . The CoR opinion leaves no doubts that "initiatives which bring together activities linked to coastal protection and ecofriendly tourism should be supported and promoted "
Finally, both the resolution and the opinion support the development of specialised academy curricula, equipping people with necessary skills and qualifications to meet the demands of the blue growth labour market and call for more cooperation between maritime schools' students and teachers as well as young professions .
THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS
- draws attention to the fact that the maritime economy in the broad sense is not limited to regions and entities with direct access to seas and oceans. To a large extent, the maritime economy is also relevant to regions situated far from coasts and ports on account of the fact that, among other things, they manufacture marine equipment and are engaged in activities in the transport and logistics and research and development sectors;
- urges that in developing the blue economy the regional features of Europe's sea-basins be used and taken into account for the purpose of implementation;
- notes the need to support aquaculture financially using EU funds whilst rejecting proposals for genetically modified aquatic organisms which are aimed at creating new species more resistant to diseases or environmental pollution;
- draws attention to military material leftover from the world wars and the cold war and radioactive waste dumped at sea in the past and believe it essential to draw up a methodology at European level and provide funds to make these dangerous materials safe;
- calls for the Committee of the Regions, as the representative of local and regional authorities, to be asked systematically to take part in any further work on the concept of Blue Growth including on the development and establishment of the Sea Basin Strategies, which it considers to be an important tool to implement key aspects of Blue Growth.