Within the framework of the French Presidency of the European Union, an interministerial conference was held today with the European ministers of the sea and ecological transition, including Annick Girardin for France. On this occasion, the ambassadors of the maritime world presented 11 recommendations to improve the maritime world.
Surfrider Europe is particularly proud to have participated in the creation of this network with the support of the Ministry of the Sea and would like to congratulate the 106 European ambassadors who make it up. They are committed and mobilized to improve the future of the maritime sector and therefore of our Ocean.
The recommendations are divided into two parts: blue careers and maritime transport.
Blue careers
The blue careers represent all the sectors and professions related to the maritime world. The members of the Eurocean’s Youth network have issued 5 recommendations based on two observations. The first is that there is a lack of monitoring and certification for the respect of the laws on the Ocean, and particularly for fishing, the least sustainable sector. The second is that this is a sector in constant evolution where the sharing of knowledge and the evolution of the profession is a real challenge for the future.
Recommendation 1
Implement a comprehensive maritime surveillance and enforcement program.
Recommendation 2
Invest in the training and retraining of people employed in disappearing industries to facilitate their transition to emerging sustainable jobs.
Recommendation 3
Create a maritime Erasmus+ program combining education, employment, and networking opportunities to improve knowledge transfer and raise awareness of maritime issues.
Recommendation 4
Create a European platform to advance ocean knowledge.
Recommendation 5
Introduce ocean certification for public authorities in the European Union.
Maritime transport
Concerning the recommendations on maritime transport, the main lines of work focused on ports, ships and how to accelerate the transition to responsible maritime transport.
Recommendation 6
Implement a new rating system for zero-emission ships combining the EU regulation and the IMO rating system. By 2040, ensure that only A-rated ships are allowed in European waters and ports.
Recommendation 7
Improve water quality monitoring in EU ports.
Recommendation 8
Ensure strict implementation of dredging rules with the ambition of introducing a dredging ban in the coming years.
Recommendation 9
Provide EU subsidies for training in autonomous ship technology and promote this specialization in maritime schools in EU countries.
Recommendation 10
Make available public, private, and EU funding for the environmental transition of the shipping sector.
Recommendation 11
Facilitate the adhesion of shipowners to the Green Marine label by providing financial support to its certified members.
This day concludes several months of work by the Eurocean’s Youth network. However, the work begun does not stop here. Meetings are planned during major events such as the One Ocean Summit which started today, as well as with European institutions.
