Water, Marine & Fisheries

Our Work

In 2007, the Commission published the Blue Book ‘An Integrated Maritime Policy for the European Union’. The IMP lays the foundation for an overarching maritime policy, encompassing all sectors, and is thus sets up a fairly ambitious framework. It is reliant on Member States to meet its environmental objectives.

In 2008, the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) was adopted and it has as its key objective, ‘the attainment of good environmental status’ of European Seas, such as through the implementation of the ecosystem-based approach, which includes broader marine management objectives.

Our key work includes:

A major contribution to policy analysis for future European marine policy within the 7th Research Framework Project KnowSeas – Knowledge-based Sustainable Management for Europe's Regional Seas. The aim of this work was to increase the evidence base available for decision makers and to facilitate the practical implementation of the Ecosystem Approach.

Socio-Economic Scenarios of European Development and Integrated Management of the Marine Environment. This report examines the implications of different scenarios for the future of Europe’s regional seas. It was a major product of the 6th Research Framework Project European Lifestyles and Marine Ecosystems (ELME).

A European Union Marine Strategy Directive This paper examined the Commission’s original proposal for what became the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.

Regarding work in this area please contact:

Indrani Lutchman
Andrew Farmer

More about our work in this area...

Latest in Integrated Maritime Policy

Highlights