​Member of Kujawsko-Pomorskie Region (PL), Mr Banaszak's opinion on the Blue Growth was unanimously  adopted during the CoR plenary session on the 01st February 2013. His opinion is based on the assumption that seas, coasts and oceans can play a key role in overcoming many current challenges and should be underpinned by "smart specialization" and it argues that growth in the blue economy offers new and innovative ways to help steer the EU out of its current economic crisis. Collectively maritime activities have the potential to provide 7 million jobs and generate 600 billion Euros by 2020. The CoR opinion recognises that additional effort at EU level can stimulate long-term growth and jobs, in the five key areas selected by the European Commission: Maritime, coastal and cruise touris;, Blue energy; Marine mineral resources; Aquaculture; Blue biotechnology.

It underlines other sectors such as maritime transport and the shipbuilding and also smaller maritime ports need to be taken into account, and that the development of the blue economy must be based on respect for the environment and the principles of sustainable development. Mr Banaszak draws attention to the fact that maritime economy in the broad sense is not limited to regions and entities with direct access to seas and oceans. To a large extent, the maritime economy is also relevant to regions situated far from coasts and ports on account of the fact that, among other things, they manufacture marine equipment.