Description
A general introduction sets out the current situation and the rationale behind the Paper. So far, our policies on maritime transport, industry, coastal regions, offshore energy, fisheries, marine environment, socio-economic cohesion and in other relevant areas have developed separately as no one was examining how these policies could be combined to reinforce each other. The time is therefore ripe to bring all these elements together and forge a new vision of how to manage ourrelations with the oceans. The Green Paper aims therefore to launch a debate on a future Maritime Policy forthe EU that treats the oceans and seas in a holistic way. The introduction acknowledges that maritime policy should be anchored within the Lisbon strategy, whilst reflecting the principles of and ecosystem-based management, and emphasises that EU action is required only where it adds value to national and local action.