EU Integrated Maritime Policy and multilevel governance

• Author: Fátima Castro Moreira - Bárbara Magalhães BRAVO
• Position: Fátima Castro Moreira - Portucalense University; visiting professor at Nova Lisbon School of Law; researcher at IJP ? Portucalense Institute for Legal Research, Portugal, fcmoreira@upt.pt. 2 Bárbara Magalhães Bravo - Portucalense University; visiting professor at University of Minho School of Law; researcher at IJP ? Portucalense Institute for ...
• Pages: 535-548

EU Integrated Maritime Policy and multilevel governance

Assistant professor Fátima Castro MOREIRA1

Assistant professor Bárbara Magalhães BRAVO2

Abstract

Marine and coa stal environment are under pressure from several pollution sour ces.

Most of the en vironmental law was developed on a sectora l basis a nd does not reflect the

interdependence of the var ious issues a nd their solutions. Since the a doption of Blue Book,

EU legislation to protect the marine environment has been pr ogressively implemented in

many r elevant areas: Fisher ies, Shipping, Tourism, energy, etc. The Integra ted Maritime

Policy covers several cr oss-cutting policies, more specifically blue growth, marine data and

knowledge, maritime spatia l planning, integrated maritime surveillance, a nd sea basin

strategies. Oceans and sea are influenced by many activities, interests a nd policies and ar e

interlinked. A holistic, integra ted approach is the best way to hand le maritime affairs, with

States cooperation not only on an EU States basis but also with third States and Interna tional

Organiza tions. International Or ganizations provide an essential forum for inter national co-

operatio n in relation to environmental issue s. In this context they have two important roles

to pla y: environmental policy-making a nd the development of inter national environmental

law.

Keywords: marine environment protection; ocea n governa nce; integrated maritime

Policy; mar itime spatial p lanning.

JEL Classifications: K23, K32, K33, K39

1. Chronologic review

Integrated Maritime Policy (IMP) is a holistic approach to all EU sea-related

policies. Based on the idea that, by coordinating its policies, the Union can reap more

benefits from seas and oceans with less environmental impact, the IMP covers areas

as diverse as fisheries and aquaculture, transport and seaports, marine environment,

marine research, offshore energy, shipbuilding and marine related industries,

maritime surveillance, coastal and maritime tourism, employment, development of

coastal regions and external relations concerning maritime issues.3

The first step in building the IMP was the launch of the “Green Paper for a

Future Union Maritime Policy. A European Vision for the Oceans and Seas” in 2006.

1 Fátima Castro Moreira - Portucalense University; visiting professor at Nova Lisbon School of Law;

researcher at IJP – Portucalense Institute for Legal Research, Portugal, fcmoreira@upt.pt.

2 Bárbara Magalhães Bravo - Portucalense University; visiting professor at University of Minho School

of Law; researcher at IJP – Portucalense Institute for Legal Research, Portugal, barbaram@upt.pt.

3 See Regulation (EU) 1380/2013 of th e European Parliament and of the Council of the 11 December

2013 on the Common Fisheries Policy, amending Council Regulations (EC) 1954/2003 and (EC)

1224/2009 and repealing Council Regulations (EC) 639/2004 and Council Decision 2004/585/EC;

Regulation (EU) 508/2014 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 May 2014 on the

European Maritime and Fisheries Fund; Doc 14631/07 – COM (2007) 575 final, Doc 16616/07,

(paragraph 58) and Doc 15175/1/09 REV 1.