Ireland places the environment centre stage of EU maritime policy
Ireland’s response to the EU Green Paper, Towards a Future Maritime Policy for the Union states that a healthy marine environment ‘is essential to the continued development of teh European marine economy‘ and ‘strongly advocates‘ that its protection should form ‘the cornerstone’ of any policy.
Incorporating the viewpoints of stakeholders in the marine and maritime sectors, the Irish position adds that such a policy ‘must not prejudice the sovereign rights of Member States in their respective maritime zones under national jurisdiction, and in particular their rights over natural resources (including non-living and marine genetic resources) located therein.’
It adds that this policy must comply with international law and in particular the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) ― the international legal framework for every aspect of the uses and resources of the seas and all ocean activities.
Regarding an EU-wide coastguard service, Ireland is not convinced that it would add value to existing arrangements within and outside the EU:
‘Would it have a civilian or military (naval) structure; should it be a European service or a co-ordination of Member State coastguards; what would be the role of Member State naval services; what would be its scope and would it include search and rescue, salvage, pollution control, fisheries monitoring, custom duties and interventions at sea?
Ireland believes the policy must be ‘over arching and strategic in nature’, to accommodate diversity in terms of economic status and individual member states priorities.
And it notes that ‘excessive regulation and intolerance of diversity in economic and administrative models will be an impediment to competitiveness’.
Key drivers
Stakeholders believe that success will ultimately be judged on the degree to which the policy ‘facilitates greater trade activity, enterprise development and sustained economic growth by creating the requisite conditions for such activities’, and how it addresses environmental concerns and develops coastal and island communities.
On innovation it states that the policy must focus on enabling relevant sectors to engage in innovative activities ‘to maximise the competitiveness of existing companies and traditional sectors, and facilitate the emergence of new research…’
Such initiatives, ‘will strengthen the competitiveness of the existing marine industry and support services, and will both add value and ensure that outputs are balanced with environmentally responsible practices’.
Regarding a regulatory framework, any new proposals should be ‘focused, proportionate and cross-compliant with other policies’ and it suggests that a pre-requisite of an effective policy should be a ‘real and significant reduction in regulation and bureaucracy’.
The principle of subsidiarity, ‘delivering power to the level most able to deliver’, should be placed at the heart of a new policy. A ‘one size fits all’ policy is ‘clearly neither appropriate nor desirable’ and must be recognised in emerging policies and strategies. ‘EU citizens will be better served by policies which consolidate European unity, while respecting and providing space for diversity’.
Ireland believes that ‘insufficient’ importance has been given to sea fisheries, aquaculture and seafood processing sectors. ‘The success of Irish measures relating to fishing effort, management and conservation will require parallel measures and equal responsible action at EU level and by other member states’.
On research and development, Ireland is ‘committed’ to continued exploration and mapping of its seas areas, and believes it is essential not only for continued economic development but for ‘the wellbeing of our society’.
Skill and infrastructure deficiencies also need to be addressed to ensure that barriers to education, training and lifelong learning are removed.
Ireland’s submission was coordinated by an inter-departmental steering group comprising the Departments of Communications Marine and Natural Resources; Transport; Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Defence. The Marine Institute provided the secretariat.
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A vision for Europe Joe Borg, Commissioner for Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Stakeholder viewpoints at a glance Whilst supporting the notion of Integrated Coastal Zone Management, he raised concerns over the “regulatory environment”, in particular the Foreshore Act and the absence of cumulative impact assessments on projects. He added that within any zone existed a unique set of circumstances that required flexibility and not a ‘one size fits all’ solution. “The actions of all the relevant sectors impact what it is we have to promote and sell overseas. Coastal counties critically deliver the kind of quality that stands up to international benchmarking. Effective management of coastal zones and leveraging of assets is critical in what the tourism industry needs to achieve. It is critical that we manage the interface between land and sea and that we make sure that the various stakeholders have a shared agenda,” he said. Brendan Keating of the Port of Cork company said that as an island economy, ports played a very significant role and were the “lifeblood” of Irish trade and ensured economic wellbeing. He said the key challenges were providing new port infrastructure as well as maritime access and hinterland infrastructure. He also noted that the absence of government funding, excessive regulation, bureaucracy and administrative demands, were particular Irish problems. “It is worth remembering we are commercial semi-state bodies with a commercial mandate. We require a better understanding of port issues such as a balance between, economic, social and environmental issues to the extent there is sustainable development and that the bias is not towards the environment. All we ask for is a level playing field,” he said. He added that the maritime sector is “bedevilled by a range of policies” that are “incoherent and inconsistent. The interface between environmental policy and operational transport requirements has given rise to inefficiencies, operational delays and lack of competitiveness,” he said. Keating stressed that clear guidance was needed on the implementation of existing environmental legislation, e.g. Birds Habitat, the Water Framework Directive and other regulatory controls associated with dumping. “The unintended affects of the application of environmental legislation on port investment projects is contradictory in many senses with the policy objectives of creating adequate maritime infrastructure to avoid congestion. “The IPA is anxious that the proposed policy would not result in greater regulation, further bureaucracy and administrative demands. Policies should facilitate ports and allow them to act as gateways to national trade, economic growth and for the efficient movement of goods and people,” Concerns for the environment She gave examples of existing marine Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and noted a lack of management plans: “As long as we have a lack of knowledge of why places are protected, and as long as management plans are made behind closed doors and left to sit, we can’t hope to understand the wealth and value of the resource. “This trend of ‘use orientated’ is reflected in the green paper. Phrases such as, ‘unexplored’, ‘a wonderful huge, green environment’ ― look at the potential for exploitation. Look at the potential for damage,” she said.
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