Civil society's vision for a European Oceans Pact

The EU Youth Test at the EESC was applied to this opinion. Youth Environment Europe (YEE) was chosen by a group of interested youth organisations to represent all of them during the opinion-making process.

Key points

The EESC:

• welcomes the European Oceans Pact among the Commission’s priorities for its new term of office and calls for a comprehensive approach that combines economic prosperity and competitiveness with environmental regeneration and the promotion of social equity;
• recommends that the pact be closely aligned with the EU Blue Economy Strategy, the SDGs and the European Green Deal. It should focus on both maritime and land-based industries and be aligned with other EU policies, in particular the Clean Industrial Deal, the Maritime Industrial Strategy, and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive to ensure coherence and make sure that it has a significant impact. The EESC also believes it essential to improve the EU Maritime Security Strategy and evaluate existing policies such as the Common Fisheries Policy; 
• calls to strengthen and improve the EU maritime governance framework by more efficiently coordinating existing policies and bodies, avoiding fragmentation and duplication of efforts, improving diplomatic efforts and fostering cooperation networks between coastal communities, productive sectors and scientists. The EESC therefore recommends setting up specific working groups in all EU institutions with the central topic of seas and oceans;
•  urges the Commission to establish a cooperation mechanism between European agencies competent in ocean matters, with a view to optimising data and knowledge collection. Science is key to efficient ocean management;
•  recommends revising maritime spatial planning (MSP) to facilitate synergies and balance conflicting interests arising from the expansion of new maritime industries. An approach of positive coexistence should be promoted as well as an ecosystem-based approach; 
•  calls for the creation of an ‘Industrial Alliance for Blue Economy Value Chains’ bringing together all relevant stakeholders (businesses, social partners, research organisations, policymakers, investors, etc.); 
• calls for funding to be mobilised for ocean action in support of SDG 14. In this regard, it is essential to mobilise public and private funding. The EESC recommends establishing specific budget lines for oceans in horizontal funds such as Horizon and the EU Social Fund and bolstering sectoral funds such as the EU Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF);
• urges the Commission to incorporate a social dimension into the pact, ensuring a just and digital transition in the maritime sector, with comprehensive support for workers, and fostering generational renewal through initiatives aimed at attracting young people, improve labour protection and facilitate vocational reskilling and upskilling;
• calls to ensure a level playing field and establish a strong maritime cluster with clear decarbonisation objectives to safeguard a flourishing and lasting maritime industry in Europe;
• recommends setting up a comprehensive mechanism for evaluating and monitoring the pact’s progress. The mechanism should include the EESC.