Tough decisions on EU maritime policy urged

EU governments must not be afraid to make "tough decisions" if an effective European maritime policy is to be formulated, the EU Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Commissioner has said in Dublin.

Joe Borg said coastal communities had nothing to fear from such a policy, which could help to foster a more integrated coastal economy at a time of insecurity in certain sectors.

Mr Borg was commenting yesterday at the two-day 30th Virginia Law of the Sea conference in Dublin Castle, where he praised Ireland for its role in contributing to the development of the green paper.

EU member states have a year to make submissions on the document - the first of its type - which was published last month and circulated among the 25 member states. Tsunami early-warning systems, regulating development on coastlines and ensuring that maritime professionals are covered by EU labour and social legislation are among the issues covered by the document, which also identified climate change as a key environmental challenge.

More than two-thirds of the EU's borders are coastal. The paper notes that marine-based industries and services generate between 3 and 5 per cent of Europe's gross domestic product and maritime regions account for more than 40 per cent of GDP.

Mr Borg said the European Commission wished to adopt a "holistic approach" which allowed for contributions by various maritime stakeholders.

He welcomed Ireland's recent joint submission with Britain, France and Spain to the UN Law of the Sea Convention as a "useful example of co-operation between member states".

Mr Borg also said the commission had no plans to pursue further the issue of alleged overfishing by several Irish fishing vessels. "We know the Irish Government has taken quite tough measures with regard to control and enforcement," he said.

The primary obligation in relation to enforcement lay with member states, but if the commission did continue to receive reports on overfishing, "we would be required to take the necessary preventative action," he said.

The 30th Virginia Law of the Sea conference continues in Dublin Castle today with a keynote address by Unesco's assistant director-general, Patricio Bernal.