Proposal for Establishing a Framework for Community Action in the field of Marine Environmental Policy

Description

CONTEXT OF THE PROPOSAL * Grounds for and objectives of the proposal The marine environment is faced with a number of threats including loss ordegradation of biodiversity and changes in its structure, loss of habitats, contamination by dangerous substances and nutrients and impacts of climate change. The EU`s 6th Environment Action Programme (6th EAP) requests the development of a Thematic Strategy for the protection and conservation of the European marine environment (hereinafter the Strategy) with the overall aim to promote sustainable use of the seas and conserve marine ecosystems. As a first step in the development of the Strategy, the Commission in 2002 produced the Communication entitled Towards a strategy to protect and conserve the marine environment. The Environment Council Conclusions of 4 March 2003 welcomed the Commission Communication, endorsed the approach and the outline of its objectives and requested an ambitious Strategy by 2005. The Commission Legislative Work Programme 2005 commits to the adoption of the Strategy by 2005. * General context While measures to control and reduce pressures and impacts on the marine environment do exist, they have been developed in a sector by sector approach resulting in a patchwork of policies, legislation, programmes and actions plans at national, regional, EU and international level, which contribute to the protection of the marine environment. At the EU level, while there are a number of policies affecting the marine environment, and while a reflection has begun on a future all-encompassing Maritime Policy for the Union, there is no overall, integrated policy for the protection of the marine environment. The general picture that emerges from this policy framework is a mixed one. On the positive side, some progress has been made in certain areas, e.g. in reducing nutrient inputs or pollution from hazardous substances in particular heavy metals. However, overall, the state of the marine environment has been deteriorating significantly over recent decades. As a result, Europe`s oceans and seas are under threat, in some cases to the extent that their structure and function is being jeopardised. The current policy framework is not delivering a high level of protection of the marine environment. A strong, integrated, EU policy on marine protection is therefore required.