European Commission ‘The Atlantic Action Plan aims to revitalise the marine and maritime economy in the Atlantic Ocean area. It shows how the EU’s Atlantic Member States, their regions and the Commission can help create sustainable growth in coastal regions and drive forward the “blue economy” while preserving the environmental and ecological stability of the Atlantic Ocean.

 Promoting cooperation

The Action Plan encourages Member States to work together in areas where they were previously working individually.  They will now be able to share information, costs, results and best practices, as well as generate ideas for further areas of cooperation of maritime activities. This includes both traditional activities, such as fisheries, aquaculture, tourism and shipping, as well as emerging ones such as offshore renewables and marine biotech.

 Priorities

The Action Plan considers responses to the challenges of delivering growth, reducing the carbon footprint, using the sea’s natural resources sustainably, responding effectively to threats and emergencies and implementing an “ecosystem” management approach in Atlantic waters. The priorities are to:

• Promote entrepreneurship and innovation;
• Protect, secure and enhance the marine and coastal environment;
• Improve accessibility and connectivity;
• Create a socially inclusive and sustainable model of regional development;’To find out more go to:

http://ec.europa.eu/maritimeaffairs/policy/sea_basins/atlantic_ocean/index_en.htm

UK contact point details below Ben Drakeford Focal Point – UK Support Team for the EU Atlantic Action Plan Address: St George’s Building, 141 High Street, Portsmouth PO1 2HY – United Kingdom Tel: +44 23 9284 8513 E-mail: focalpointuk@atlanticstrategy.eu