An NGO perspective to Blue Growth

Rencontres internationales de la biodiversité marine et côtière

Nicolas Fournier | 13/14 Nov 2012

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Oceana – Who are we?› MARINE-FOCUSED: Oceana is 100 % dedicated to restoring and

protecting oceans to return them to former levels of abundance.

› GLOBALLY-LOCATED: Campaign teams are located in North America; Europe (Madrid, Copenhagen, Brussels); South America and Central America.

› CAMPAIGN-DRIVEN: Our resources support a small number of strategically-chosen campaigns that achieve specific policy outcomes and help protect the marine environment.

› SCIENCE-BASED: Science is essential to identifying problems and finding solutions that matter, which is why Oceana’s campaigners work closely with marine biologists and other ocean scientists.

Habitats protection Responsible fishing Climate, energy, pollution

Oceana – our approach

› Expeditions

› Documentation of vulnerable species and habitats / illegal fishing

› Scientific reports

› Lobby and advocacy to achieve policy changes

› Awareness campaign (media, events, marketing strategies) 3

› Recent EC Communication on Blue Growth, fail to recognize the current degradation of EU seas

› NGOs concerned with some of its priorities• Good Environmental Status by 2020 is a prerequisite for

blue growth agenda, as healthy marine environment is the foundation for the development of a sustainable maritime economy.

• No reference to the precautionary principle to avoid to support activities that deplete marine resources and risk irreversible damages.

• Limits to growth – technology, efficiency and innovation are not enough. Inspired by the imperative of constant growth, but need to focus on prosperity for society instead.

• Marine Spatial Planning is not the panacea – a mix of policy instruments is necessary to ensure human activities developments do not compromise environmental legislations.

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Blue Growth VS Sustainable Blue Economy

› Implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive • As an overarching and guiding objective

• Initial assessment report 2012, and national strategies by 2015

› Integrate environmental dimension into planning tools (MSP/ICZM)

› Appropriateness of actions at local and regional levels• Good balance political/ecological scale

• Driving force of policy developments in coastal territories

• Vulnerability of coastal areas to climate change

• Opportunity to « re-connect » nature with people

• Attractiveness of maritime regions through improved quality

Why should local authorities care?

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› EU coasts often major population center with high usages

› Coastal MPAs to engage sucessfully with local users• Better social acceptability and understanding

• Enhance local involvement in management issues, sense of ownership and responsibility

• Show-case tangible benefits felt locally: fisheries recovery, ecotourism, water quality, climate resilience, community benefits

• Opportunities for innovative funding schemes (private/public), develop financial independence

• Communicate benefits of marine biodiversity (awards, labels)

› One’s own action can make a difference !

MPAs as an effective contribution to conservation approaches

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Thank you!

nfournier@oceana.org