The European Commission has adopted its first comprehensive maritime policy.
It intends to create a common European maritime transport system, a new ports policy for all member nations, sustainable fisheries, the development of marine tourism and the establishment of regional centres of maritime excellence.
The adoption of the policy, announced last night in Brussels, is the result of a year-long public consultation in which Ireland played a leading role and it includes many of the proposals put forward by the Marine Institute for a major programme of maritime scientific and technological development.
Commission President José Manuel Barroso described the policy as a comprehensive maritime policy that would help European nations to face major challenges ahead, because the oceans are the last untapped potential.
This is the first major recognition by the European Commission of the importance of the marine sector.
