Fisheries and aquaculture in the context of integrated coastal zone management in Europe

The Committee on Fisheries adopted an own-initiative report by Ioannis GKLAVAKIS (EPP-ED, EL) on Fisheries and Aquaculture in the context of Integrated Coastal Zone Management in Europe in response to the Commission’s communication on the same issue.

The report underlines the economic and social importance of fishing and aquaculture for coastal regions and calls for them to receive assistance within the framework of ICZM.

The committee calls on the Commission to ensure that the fisheries and aquaculture sectors are involved and well represented in transnational maritime clusters.

MEPs emphasise that the European Fisheries Fund can contribute to the long-term funding of measures within the framework of ICZM since it supports actions which contribute to the sustainable development of fishing regions. They consider it necessary to clarify the competences of the administrative bodies of the coastal zones concerned and establish coordinated strategies so that they can be more effective.

The report calls for closer cooperation between competent bodies at regional level through exchanges of information relating to the state of coastal zones and the adoption of joint strategies to improve the environmental situation of local marine ecosystems.

MEPs consider that the fisheries and aquaculture sectors must both be included in a transversal approach to all maritime activities taking place in coastal zones, in order to achieve sustainable development. It proposes that aquaculture projects which use renewable energy sources and which do not infringe areas protected under EU environmental law should be given priority under ICZM.

The Commission is invited, after consulting Member States, to set a clear timetable for examining progress in the implementation of ICZM in the European Union.