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Events

2016/02/24
   EC - Commission response to text adopted in plenary
Documents
2015/09/08
   EP - Results of vote in Parliament
2015/09/08
   EP - Decision by Parliament
Details

The European Parliament adopted by 573 votes to 56, with 71 abstentions, a resolution on untapping the potential of research and innovation in the blue economy to create jobs and growth.

To recall, the concept of the blue economy covers a wide range of economic sectors linked to the seas and oceans , spanning traditional or established and emerging sectors including fisheries, aquaculture, (seagoing) shipping and inland waterway transport, ports and logistics, tourism, pleasure sailing and cruising, shipbuilding and ship repairing, maritime works and protection of the coastline, prospecting for, exploitation of, offshore mineral resources, exploitation of offshore wind and marine energy, and biotechnology.

Parliament took note of the Commission communication entitled ‘ Innovation in the Blue Economy: realising the potential of our seas and oceans for jobs and growth’ and pointed out that the communication is of limited scope and does not cover all sectors making up the blue economy. It called on the Commission to adopt an integrated and more comprehensive approach encompassing the challenges of innovation and job creation over the whole varied range of interacting sectors.

The resolution:

maintained that the blue economy should be defined in specific and embracing terms covering all sectoral and inter-sectoral activities connected with oceans, seas, coastal ecosystems, the connected hinterland and coastal areas, including forms of direct and indirect support; drew attention to the cross-cutting importance of innovation for all these activities, be they traditional or emerging ; advocated the need for strategic planning of activities in the blue economy, direct methods of funding, targeting of priorities and an action plan in order to boost this sector by 2020.

Parliament urged the Member States to carry out an analysis and quantification of the extent of their existent blue economy activities and called for the development of a strategy which should bring together initiatives on all maritime-related sectors.

Protecting the ecosystems : the blue economy should therefore consider protecting, restoring and maintaining seas’ and oceans’ ecosystems, biodiversity, resilience and productivity. Members stressed the important role of new technology in counteracting the degradation of marine ecosystems and stated that the precautionary principle and the ecosystem approach should be at the core of the blue economy.

Improving knowledge of the seas and oceans : Parliament noted that the sustainable development of the blue economy requires greater investment in knowledge and research. Rejecting the cuts in the budget for the Horizon 2020 research framework programme proposed by the Commission, Members took the view that, in order to improve understanding of the marine environment and its economic potential, the EU and the Member States must provide substantial funding under arrangements making for continuity and predictability over the long term , while not jeopardising the financing of already existing and running programmes.

Data collection : the Commission is urged to encourage the compilation of periodic, up-to-date scientific data on the state of marine populations both within and outside of EU waters in collaboration with other international organisations. Parliament urged that clear-cut objectives and time frames be laid down with a view to making data transparent, more accessible and fully interoperable and harmonised. It also called for information about seas and oceans to be supplied to the public, with a view to fostering innovation.

Traditional sectors : the resolution drew attention to the negative development and clear deterioration of some of the more traditional sectors of the blue economy (such as fisheries and shipbuilding and repair), especially in areas where they functioned as authentic anchor activities. It stressed the importance of sea and maritime research and of stronger cooperation on these sectors among researchers, among Member States and among regions in order to overcome the existing gap between Member States and the geographical concentration in some areas and to boost the competitiveness of coastal areas and the creation of quality and sustainable local jobs.

Overcome the skills gap : convinced that the shortage of qualified professionals in various fields of study and activity – including researchers, engineers, technicians and workers – is be a huge hurdle that could prevent the blue economy from fully realising its potential, Parliament urged Member States and regional authorities to invest in an ambitious social dimension of blue growth and maritime literacy in order to promote training and access for young people to maritime professions.

The Commission was called upon to:

promote the rights of workers and guarantee safe working conditions in all sectors within the blue economy, whether already established or newly emerging; gather and analyse data related to maritime careers at all levels and use such data to explore job opportunities at various levels.

Appropriate financial framework : Parliament called on the Commission: (i) to specify all the European funds available to finance blue economy activities and to concentrate them under a single platform accessible to citizens; (ii) to earmark funding for innovation and blue growth.

The resolution called for an appropriate financial framework to be established in order to stimulate innovation, the sustainable development of the blue economy and job creation, combining, coordinating and facilitating the access to the financial instruments available – structural and investment funding (European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), European Social Fund (ESF), Cohesion Fund), the research framework programme, the possible creation of a future knowledge and innovation community (KIC) focused on the blue economy, the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI).

Members emphasised that the onshore industries which support the offshore blue economy are the vital link to ensuring marine innovation and called on the Commission to provide for greater support for these onshore industries. They rejected the vision that tends only to focus on the private sector and believes that the strengthening and modernisation of the public sector can be an important driving force behind the promotion of the blue economy.

Sector-based approaches : Parliament advocated, inter alia :

more active support for modernisation and sustainable development of the fisheries sector and processing of fishery products, aiming at the creation of higher value added, laying emphasis on small-scale fisheries and seeking to make fishing gear more selective, reduce energy consumption; strengthening the role of fisheries development groups within the new CFP, providing them with more resources; the need for cultural and natural attractions to be identified and promoted stressing the role of ‘no-go’ zones to help pristine areas survive; supporting the sustainable development of European aquaculture which requires stronger support for scientific research and technological development related to the breeding of new species; the integration of environmental and wider sustainability criteria into production standards and labelling , to reward responsible producers; the need to take immediate action with regard to maritime transport in terms of efficiency improvements and speeding up the decarbonisation of the sector; re-examining the policy towards the European shipbuilding industry and strongly endorses special aid intended for the restart and modernisation of shipbuilding in Europe.

Documents
2015/09/08
   EP - End of procedure in Parliament
2015/09/07
   EP - Debate in Parliament
2015/06/25
   EP - Committee report tabled for plenary
Details

The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy adopted an own-initiative report by João FERREIRA (GUE/NGL, PT) on untapping the potential of research and innovation in the blue economy to create jobs and growth.

To recall, the concept of the blue economy covers a wide range of economic sectors linked to the seas and oceans , spanning traditional or established and emerging sectors including fisheries, aquaculture, (seagoing) shipping and inland waterway transport, ports and logistics, tourism, pleasure sailing and cruising, shipbuilding and ship repairing, maritime works and protection of the coastline, prospecting for, exploitation of, offshore mineral resources, exploitation of offshore wind and marine energy, and biotechnology

Members took note of the Commission communication entitled ‘ Innovation in the Blue Economy: realising the potential of our seas and oceans for jobs and growth’ and pointed out that the communication is of limited scope and does not cover all sectors making up the blue economy. They called on the Commission to adopt an integrated and more comprehensive approach encompassing the challenges of innovation and job creation over the whole varied range of interacting sectors.

The report:

maintained that the blue economy should be defined in specific and embracing terms covering all sectoral and inter-sectoral activities connected with oceans, seas, coastal ecosystems, the connected hinterland and coastal areas, including forms of direct and indirect support; drew attention to the cross-cutting importance of innovation for all these activities, be they traditional or emerging ; advocated the need for strategic planning of activities in the blue economy, direct methods of funding, targeting of priorities and an action plan in order to boost this sector by 2020.

Members urged the Member States to carry out an analysis and quantification of the extent of their existent blue economy activities and called for the development of a strategy which should bring together initiatives on all maritime-related sectors.

Protecting the ecosystems : the blue economy should therefore consider protecting, restoring and maintaining seas’ and oceans’ ecosystems, biodiversity, resilience and productivity. They stressed the important role of new technology in counteracting the degradation of marine ecosystems and stated that the precautionary principle and the ecosystem approach should be at the core of the blue economy.

Improving knowledge of the seas and oceans : Members stressed that the sustainable development of the blue economy requires greater investment in knowledge and research. Rejecting the cuts in the budget for the Horizon 2020 research framework programme proposed by the Commission, Members took the view that, in order to improve understanding of the marine environment and its economic potential, the EU and the Member States must provide substantial funding under arrangements making for continuity and predictability over the long term , while not jeopardising the financing of already existing and running programmes.

Data collection : Members urged the Commission to encourage the compilation of periodic, up-to-date scientific data on the state of marine populations both within and outside of EU waters in collaboration with other international organisations. They urged that clear-cut objectives and time frames be laid down with a view to making data transparent, more accessible and fully interoperable and harmonised. They also called for information about seas and oceans to be supplied to the public, with a view to fostering innovation.

Traditional sectors : the report drew attention to the negative development and clear deterioration of some of the more traditional sectors of the blue economy (such as fisheries and shipbuilding and repair), especially in areas where they functioned as authentic anchor activities. It stressed the importance of sea and maritime research and of stronger cooperation on these sectors among researchers, among Member States and among regions in order to overcome the existing gap between Member States and the geographical concentration in some areas and to boost the competitiveness of coastal areas and the creation of quality and sustainable local jobs.

Overcome the skills gap : convinced that the shortage of qualified professionals in various fields of study and activity – including researchers, engineers, technicians and workers – is be a huge hurdle that could prevent the blue economy from fully realising its potential, Members urged Member States and regional authorities to invest in an ambitious social dimension of blue growth and maritime literacy in order to promote training and access for young people to maritime professions. The Commission was called upon to promote the rights of workers and guarantee safe working conditions in all sectors within the blue economy, whether already established or newly emerging.

Appropriate financial framework : the report called for an appropriate financial framework to be established in order to stimulate innovation, the sustainable development of the blue economy and job creation, combining, coordinating and facilitating the access to the financial instruments available – structural and investment funding (European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), European Social Fund (ESF), Cohesion Fund), the research framework programme, the possible creation of a future knowledge and innovation community (KIC) focused on the blue economy, the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI).

Members emphasised that the onshore industries which support the offshore blue economy are the vital link to ensuring marine innovation and called on the Commission to provide for greater support for these onshore industries. They considered that coastal and island communities should be fully involved at every stage in the development of the blue economy.

Sector-based approaches : the report advocated, inter alia :

more active support for modernisation and sustainable development of the fisheries sector and processing of fishery products, aiming at the creation of higher value added, laying emphasis on small-scale fisheries and seeking to make fishing gear more selective, reduce energy consumption; the need for cultural and natural attractions to be identified and promoted stressing the role of ‘no-go’ zones to help pristine areas survive; supporting the sustainable development of European aquaculture which requires stronger support for scientific research and technological development related to the breeding of new species; the integration of environmental and wider sustainability criteria into production standards and labelling , to reward responsible producers; the need to take immediate action with regard to maritime transport in terms of efficiency improvements and speeding up the decarbonisation of the sector; re-examining the policy towards the European shipbuilding industry and strongly endorses special aid intended for the restart and modernisation of shipbuilding in Europe.

Documents
2015/06/16
   EP - Vote in committee
2015/06/02
   EP - Committee opinion
Documents
2015/05/11
   EP - Committee opinion
Documents
2015/04/21
   EP - Amendments tabled in committee
Documents
2015/03/16
   EP - Committee draft report
Documents
2015/03/10
   EP - AGEA Laura (EFDD) appointed as rapporteur in EMPL
2015/02/03
   EP - THOMAS Isabelle (S&D) appointed as rapporteur in PECH
2015/01/15
   EP - Committee referral announced in Parliament

Documents

Activities

Votes

A8-0214/2015 - João Ferreira - Résolution #

2015/09/08 Outcome: +: 573, 0: 71, -: 56
DE FR PL ES IT RO GB HU PT CZ BE BG DK EL SE IE HR SK AT FI SI LT LV CY MT LU NL EE
Total
90
71
49
49
69
31
65
19
19
20
19
13
13
17
20
10
11
11
18
12
7
11
7
6
6
6
25
5
icon: PPE PPE
202

Denmark PPE

For (1)

1
2

Luxembourg PPE

3

Estonia PPE

For (1)

1
icon: S&D S&D
179

Ireland S&D

For (1)

1

Croatia S&D

2

Latvia S&D

1

Cyprus S&D

2

Malta S&D

3

Luxembourg S&D

For (1)

1

Netherlands S&D

3
icon: ECR ECR
64

Italy ECR

2

Czechia ECR

2

Greece ECR

For (1)

1

Croatia ECR

For (1)

1

Slovakia ECR

Abstain (1)

3

Finland ECR

For (1)

1

Lithuania ECR

1

Latvia ECR

For (1)

1

Netherlands ECR

2
icon: Verts/ALE Verts/ALE
49

United Kingdom Verts/ALE

5

Hungary Verts/ALE

2

Belgium Verts/ALE

2

Denmark Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Croatia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Austria Verts/ALE

3

Finland Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Slovenia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Lithuania Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Latvia Verts/ALE

1

Luxembourg Verts/ALE

For (1)

1

Netherlands Verts/ALE

2

Estonia Verts/ALE

For (1)

1
icon: GUE/NGL GUE/NGL
48

United Kingdom GUE/NGL

1

Portugal GUE/NGL

3

Denmark GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Sweden GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Finland GUE/NGL

For (1)

1

Cyprus GUE/NGL

2

Netherlands GUE/NGL

3
icon: ALDE ALDE
67

Romania ALDE

Abstain (1)

3

United Kingdom ALDE

Abstain (1)

1

Portugal ALDE

Abstain (1)

2

Czechia ALDE

4

Bulgaria ALDE

For (1)

3

Denmark ALDE

For (1)

3

Ireland ALDE

For (1)

1

Croatia ALDE

For (1)

Abstain (1)

2

Austria ALDE

Abstain (1)

1

Slovenia ALDE

For (1)

1

Luxembourg ALDE

Abstain (1)

1

Estonia ALDE

3
icon: ENF ENF
38

Poland ENF

Abstain (1)

2

Romania ENF

1

United Kingdom ENF

Against (1)

1

Belgium ENF

For (1)

1

Netherlands ENF

3
icon: NI NI
11

Germany NI

For (1)

1

France NI

2

Poland NI

Abstain (1)

1

United Kingdom NI

For (1)

1

Hungary NI

2

Netherlands NI

Against (1)

1
icon: EFDD EFDD
41

France EFDD

1

Poland EFDD

1

Czechia EFDD

Against (1)

1

Sweden EFDD

2

Lithuania EFDD

For (1)

1
AmendmentsDossier
392 2014/2240(INI)
2015/04/07 PECH 76 amendments...
source: 551.954
2015/04/21 ITRE 223 amendments...
source: 554.856
2015/04/23 EMPL 85 amendments...
source: 554.965
2015/05/28 EMPL 8 amendments...
source: 557.323

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)

committees/0/rapporteur
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shadows
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committee
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shadows
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EMPL
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committees/1
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Committee Opinion
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Employment and Social Affairs
committee
EMPL
date
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rapporteur
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committees/2
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committees/2
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date
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rapporteur
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docs/4/body
EC
events/2/docs/0/url
Old
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A8-2015-0214&language=EN
New
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events/5/docs/0/url
Old
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New
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activities
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commission
  • body: EC dg: Research and Innovation commissioner: MOEDAS Carlos
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shadows
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committees/1
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committees/2
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docs
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  • date: 2015-04-21T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE554.856 title: PE554.856 type: Amendments tabled in committee body: EP
  • date: 2015-05-11T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE549.450&secondRef=02 title: PE549.450 committee: PECH type: Committee opinion body: EP
  • date: 2015-06-02T00:00:00 docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=COMPARL&mode=XML&language=EN&reference=PE552.096&secondRef=02 title: PE552.096 committee: EMPL type: Committee opinion body: EP
  • date: 2016-02-24T00:00:00 docs: url: /oeil/spdoc.do?i=25932&j=0&l=en title: SP(2015)748 type: Commission response to text adopted in plenary
events
  • date: 2015-01-15T00:00:00 type: Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2015-06-16T00:00:00 type: Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading body: EP
  • date: 2015-06-25T00:00:00 type: Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=REPORT&mode=XML&reference=A8-2015-0214&language=EN title: A8-0214/2015 summary: The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy adopted an own-initiative report by João FERREIRA (GUE/NGL, PT) on untapping the potential of research and innovation in the blue economy to create jobs and growth. To recall, the concept of the blue economy covers a wide range of economic sectors linked to the seas and oceans , spanning traditional or established and emerging sectors including fisheries, aquaculture, (seagoing) shipping and inland waterway transport, ports and logistics, tourism, pleasure sailing and cruising, shipbuilding and ship repairing, maritime works and protection of the coastline, prospecting for, exploitation of, offshore mineral resources, exploitation of offshore wind and marine energy, and biotechnology Members took note of the Commission communication entitled ‘ Innovation in the Blue Economy: realising the potential of our seas and oceans for jobs and growth’ and pointed out that the communication is of limited scope and does not cover all sectors making up the blue economy. They called on the Commission to adopt an integrated and more comprehensive approach encompassing the challenges of innovation and job creation over the whole varied range of interacting sectors. The report: maintained that the blue economy should be defined in specific and embracing terms covering all sectoral and inter-sectoral activities connected with oceans, seas, coastal ecosystems, the connected hinterland and coastal areas, including forms of direct and indirect support; drew attention to the cross-cutting importance of innovation for all these activities, be they traditional or emerging ; advocated the need for strategic planning of activities in the blue economy, direct methods of funding, targeting of priorities and an action plan in order to boost this sector by 2020. Members urged the Member States to carry out an analysis and quantification of the extent of their existent blue economy activities and called for the development of a strategy which should bring together initiatives on all maritime-related sectors. Protecting the ecosystems : the blue economy should therefore consider protecting, restoring and maintaining seas’ and oceans’ ecosystems, biodiversity, resilience and productivity. They stressed the important role of new technology in counteracting the degradation of marine ecosystems and stated that the precautionary principle and the ecosystem approach should be at the core of the blue economy. Improving knowledge of the seas and oceans : Members stressed that the sustainable development of the blue economy requires greater investment in knowledge and research. Rejecting the cuts in the budget for the Horizon 2020 research framework programme proposed by the Commission, Members took the view that, in order to improve understanding of the marine environment and its economic potential, the EU and the Member States must provide substantial funding under arrangements making for continuity and predictability over the long term , while not jeopardising the financing of already existing and running programmes. Data collection : Members urged the Commission to encourage the compilation of periodic, up-to-date scientific data on the state of marine populations both within and outside of EU waters in collaboration with other international organisations. They urged that clear-cut objectives and time frames be laid down with a view to making data transparent, more accessible and fully interoperable and harmonised. They also called for information about seas and oceans to be supplied to the public, with a view to fostering innovation. Traditional sectors : the report drew attention to the negative development and clear deterioration of some of the more traditional sectors of the blue economy (such as fisheries and shipbuilding and repair), especially in areas where they functioned as authentic anchor activities. It stressed the importance of sea and maritime research and of stronger cooperation on these sectors among researchers, among Member States and among regions in order to overcome the existing gap between Member States and the geographical concentration in some areas and to boost the competitiveness of coastal areas and the creation of quality and sustainable local jobs. Overcome the skills gap : convinced that the shortage of qualified professionals in various fields of study and activity – including researchers, engineers, technicians and workers – is be a huge hurdle that could prevent the blue economy from fully realising its potential, Members urged Member States and regional authorities to invest in an ambitious social dimension of blue growth and maritime literacy in order to promote training and access for young people to maritime professions. The Commission was called upon to promote the rights of workers and guarantee safe working conditions in all sectors within the blue economy, whether already established or newly emerging. Appropriate financial framework : the report called for an appropriate financial framework to be established in order to stimulate innovation, the sustainable development of the blue economy and job creation, combining, coordinating and facilitating the access to the financial instruments available – structural and investment funding (European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), European Social Fund (ESF), Cohesion Fund), the research framework programme, the possible creation of a future knowledge and innovation community (KIC) focused on the blue economy, the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI). Members emphasised that the onshore industries which support the offshore blue economy are the vital link to ensuring marine innovation and called on the Commission to provide for greater support for these onshore industries. They considered that coastal and island communities should be fully involved at every stage in the development of the blue economy. Sector-based approaches : the report advocated, inter alia : more active support for modernisation and sustainable development of the fisheries sector and processing of fishery products, aiming at the creation of higher value added, laying emphasis on small-scale fisheries and seeking to make fishing gear more selective, reduce energy consumption; the need for cultural and natural attractions to be identified and promoted stressing the role of ‘no-go’ zones to help pristine areas survive; supporting the sustainable development of European aquaculture which requires stronger support for scientific research and technological development related to the breeding of new species; the integration of environmental and wider sustainability criteria into production standards and labelling , to reward responsible producers; the need to take immediate action with regard to maritime transport in terms of efficiency improvements and speeding up the decarbonisation of the sector; re-examining the policy towards the European shipbuilding industry and strongly endorses special aid intended for the restart and modernisation of shipbuilding in Europe.
  • date: 2015-09-07T00:00:00 type: Debate in Parliament body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?secondRef=TOC&language=EN&reference=20150907&type=CRE title: Debate in Parliament
  • date: 2015-09-08T00:00:00 type: Results of vote in Parliament body: EP docs: url: https://oeil.secure.europarl.europa.eu/oeil/popups/sda.do?id=25932&l=en title: Results of vote in Parliament
  • date: 2015-09-08T00:00:00 type: Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading body: EP docs: url: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?type=TA&language=EN&reference=P8-TA-2015-0291 title: T8-0291/2015 summary: The European Parliament adopted by 573 votes to 56, with 71 abstentions, a resolution on untapping the potential of research and innovation in the blue economy to create jobs and growth. To recall, the concept of the blue economy covers a wide range of economic sectors linked to the seas and oceans , spanning traditional or established and emerging sectors including fisheries, aquaculture, (seagoing) shipping and inland waterway transport, ports and logistics, tourism, pleasure sailing and cruising, shipbuilding and ship repairing, maritime works and protection of the coastline, prospecting for, exploitation of, offshore mineral resources, exploitation of offshore wind and marine energy, and biotechnology. Parliament took note of the Commission communication entitled ‘ Innovation in the Blue Economy: realising the potential of our seas and oceans for jobs and growth’ and pointed out that the communication is of limited scope and does not cover all sectors making up the blue economy. It called on the Commission to adopt an integrated and more comprehensive approach encompassing the challenges of innovation and job creation over the whole varied range of interacting sectors. The resolution: maintained that the blue economy should be defined in specific and embracing terms covering all sectoral and inter-sectoral activities connected with oceans, seas, coastal ecosystems, the connected hinterland and coastal areas, including forms of direct and indirect support; drew attention to the cross-cutting importance of innovation for all these activities, be they traditional or emerging ; advocated the need for strategic planning of activities in the blue economy, direct methods of funding, targeting of priorities and an action plan in order to boost this sector by 2020. Parliament urged the Member States to carry out an analysis and quantification of the extent of their existent blue economy activities and called for the development of a strategy which should bring together initiatives on all maritime-related sectors. Protecting the ecosystems : the blue economy should therefore consider protecting, restoring and maintaining seas’ and oceans’ ecosystems, biodiversity, resilience and productivity. Members stressed the important role of new technology in counteracting the degradation of marine ecosystems and stated that the precautionary principle and the ecosystem approach should be at the core of the blue economy. Improving knowledge of the seas and oceans : Parliament noted that the sustainable development of the blue economy requires greater investment in knowledge and research. Rejecting the cuts in the budget for the Horizon 2020 research framework programme proposed by the Commission, Members took the view that, in order to improve understanding of the marine environment and its economic potential, the EU and the Member States must provide substantial funding under arrangements making for continuity and predictability over the long term , while not jeopardising the financing of already existing and running programmes. Data collection : the Commission is urged to encourage the compilation of periodic, up-to-date scientific data on the state of marine populations both within and outside of EU waters in collaboration with other international organisations. Parliament urged that clear-cut objectives and time frames be laid down with a view to making data transparent, more accessible and fully interoperable and harmonised. It also called for information about seas and oceans to be supplied to the public, with a view to fostering innovation. Traditional sectors : the resolution drew attention to the negative development and clear deterioration of some of the more traditional sectors of the blue economy (such as fisheries and shipbuilding and repair), especially in areas where they functioned as authentic anchor activities. It stressed the importance of sea and maritime research and of stronger cooperation on these sectors among researchers, among Member States and among regions in order to overcome the existing gap between Member States and the geographical concentration in some areas and to boost the competitiveness of coastal areas and the creation of quality and sustainable local jobs. Overcome the skills gap : convinced that the shortage of qualified professionals in various fields of study and activity – including researchers, engineers, technicians and workers – is be a huge hurdle that could prevent the blue economy from fully realising its potential, Parliament urged Member States and regional authorities to invest in an ambitious social dimension of blue growth and maritime literacy in order to promote training and access for young people to maritime professions. The Commission was called upon to: promote the rights of workers and guarantee safe working conditions in all sectors within the blue economy, whether already established or newly emerging; gather and analyse data related to maritime careers at all levels and use such data to explore job opportunities at various levels. Appropriate financial framework : Parliament called on the Commission: (i) to specify all the European funds available to finance blue economy activities and to concentrate them under a single platform accessible to citizens; (ii) to earmark funding for innovation and blue growth. The resolution called for an appropriate financial framework to be established in order to stimulate innovation, the sustainable development of the blue economy and job creation, combining, coordinating and facilitating the access to the financial instruments available – structural and investment funding (European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), European Social Fund (ESF), Cohesion Fund), the research framework programme, the possible creation of a future knowledge and innovation community (KIC) focused on the blue economy, the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI). Members emphasised that the onshore industries which support the offshore blue economy are the vital link to ensuring marine innovation and called on the Commission to provide for greater support for these onshore industries. They rejected the vision that tends only to focus on the private sector and believes that the strengthening and modernisation of the public sector can be an important driving force behind the promotion of the blue economy. Sector-based approaches : Parliament advocated, inter alia : more active support for modernisation and sustainable development of the fisheries sector and processing of fishery products, aiming at the creation of higher value added, laying emphasis on small-scale fisheries and seeking to make fishing gear more selective, reduce energy consumption; strengthening the role of fisheries development groups within the new CFP, providing them with more resources; the need for cultural and natural attractions to be identified and promoted stressing the role of ‘no-go’ zones to help pristine areas survive; supporting the sustainable development of European aquaculture which requires stronger support for scientific research and technological development related to the breeding of new species; the integration of environmental and wider sustainability criteria into production standards and labelling , to reward responsible producers; the need to take immediate action with regard to maritime transport in terms of efficiency improvements and speeding up the decarbonisation of the sector; re-examining the policy towards the European shipbuilding industry and strongly endorses special aid intended for the restart and modernisation of shipbuilding in Europe.
  • date: 2015-09-08T00:00:00 type: End of procedure in Parliament body: EP
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  • The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy adopted an own-initiative report by João FERREIRA (GUE/NGL, PT) on untapping the potential of research and innovation in the blue economy to create jobs and growth.

    To recall, the concept of the blue economy covers a wide range of economic sectors linked to the seas and oceans, spanning traditional or established and emerging sectors including fisheries, aquaculture, (seagoing) shipping and inland waterway transport, ports and logistics, tourism, pleasure sailing and cruising, shipbuilding and ship repairing, maritime works and protection of the coastline, prospecting for, exploitation of, offshore mineral resources, exploitation of offshore wind and marine energy, and biotechnology

    Members took note of the Commission communication entitled ‘Innovation in the Blue Economy: realising the potential of our seas and oceans for jobs and growth’ and pointed out that the communication is of limited scope and does not cover all sectors making up the blue economy. They called on the Commission to adopt an integrated and more comprehensive approach encompassing the challenges of innovation and job creation over the whole varied range of interacting sectors.

    The report:

    • maintained that the blue economy should be defined in specific and embracing terms covering all sectoral and inter-sectoral activities connected with oceans, seas, coastal ecosystems, the connected hinterland and coastal areas, including forms of direct and indirect support;
    • drew attention to the cross-cutting importance of innovation for all these activities, be they traditional or emerging;
    • advocated the need for strategic planning of activities in the blue economy, direct methods of funding, targeting of priorities and an action plan in order to boost this sector by 2020.

    Members urged the Member States to carry out an analysis and quantification of the extent of their existent blue economy activities and called for the development of a strategy which should bring together initiatives on all maritime-related sectors.

    Protecting the ecosystems: the blue economy should therefore consider protecting, restoring and maintaining seas’ and oceans’ ecosystems, biodiversity, resilience and productivity. They stressed the important role of new technology in counteracting the degradation of marine ecosystems and stated that the precautionary principle and the ecosystem approach should be at the core of the blue economy.

    Improving knowledge of the seas and oceans: Members stressed that the sustainable development of the blue economy requires greater investment in knowledge and research. Rejecting the cuts in the budget for the Horizon 2020 research framework programme proposed by the Commission, Members took the view that, in order to improve understanding of the marine environment and its economic potential, the EU and the Member States must provide substantial funding under arrangements making for continuity and predictability over the long term, while not jeopardising the financing of already existing and running programmes.

    Data collection: Members urged the Commission to encourage the compilation of periodic, up-to-date scientific data on the state of marine populations both within and outside of EU waters in collaboration with other international organisations. They urged that clear-cut objectives and time frames be laid down with a view to making data transparent, more accessible and fully interoperable and harmonised. They also called for information about seas and oceans to be supplied to the public, with a view to fostering innovation.

    Traditional sectors: the report drew attention to the negative development and clear deterioration of some of the more traditional sectors of the blue economy (such as fisheries and shipbuilding and repair), especially in areas where they functioned as authentic anchor activities. It stressed the importance of sea and maritime research and of stronger cooperation on these sectors among researchers, among Member States and among regions in order to overcome the existing gap between Member States and the geographical concentration in some areas and to boost the competitiveness of coastal areas and the creation of quality and sustainable local jobs.

    Overcome the skills gap: convinced that the shortage of qualified professionals in various fields of study and activity – including researchers, engineers, technicians and workers – is be a huge hurdle that could prevent the blue economy from fully realising its potential, Members urged Member States and regional authorities to invest in an ambitious social dimension of blue growth and maritime literacy in order to promote training and access for young people to maritime professions. The Commission was called upon to promote the rights of workers and guarantee safe working conditions in all sectors within the blue economy, whether already established or newly emerging.

    Appropriate financial framework: the report called for an appropriate financial framework to be established in order to stimulate innovation, the sustainable development of the blue economy and job creation, combining, coordinating and facilitating the access to the financial instruments available – structural and investment funding (European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF), European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), European Social Fund (ESF), Cohesion Fund), the research framework programme, the possible creation of a future knowledge and innovation community (KIC) focused on the blue economy, the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI).

    Members emphasised that the onshore industries which support the offshore blue economy are the vital link to ensuring marine innovation and called on the Commission to provide for greater support for these onshore industries. They considered that coastal and island communities should be fully involved at every stage in the development of the blue economy.

    Sector-based approaches: the report advocated, inter alia:

    • more active support for modernisation and sustainable development of the fisheries sector and processing of fishery products, aiming at the creation of higher value added, laying emphasis on small-scale fisheries and seeking to make fishing gear more selective, reduce energy consumption;
    • the need for cultural and natural attractions to be identified and promoted stressing the role of ‘no-go’ zones to help pristine areas survive;
    • supporting the sustainable development of European aquaculture which requires stronger support for scientific research and technological development related to the breeding of new species;
    • the integration of environmental and wider sustainability criteria into production standards and labelling, to reward responsible producers;
    • the need to take immediate action with regard to maritime transport in terms of efficiency improvements and speeding up the decarbonisation of the sector;
    • re-examining the policy towards the European shipbuilding industry and strongly endorses special aid intended for the restart and modernisation of shipbuilding in Europe.
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  • body: EP responsible: False committee: PECH date: 2015-02-03T00:00:00 committee_full: Fisheries rapporteur: group: S&D name: THOMAS Isabelle
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Untapping the potential of research and innovation in the blue economy to create jobs and growth
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