The
Committee of the Regions NAT commission has today overwhelmingly adopted an
opinion by Cllr Tony Buchanan on International Ocean Governance. Cllr
Buchanan highlighted the need for the EU to be a strong global player
that is able to set out an agenda for better oceans governance based on a
cross-sectoral, rules-based international approach.
He has
also stressed that many issues related to ocean governance are inevitably local
due to resource extraction, economic benefit for coastal areas, fishing communities
and ports or their environmental impact on Europe's coasts and seas.
Crucially the wellbeing, safety and prosperity of our oceans is not just a
matter for international institutions or large countries but our common
responsibilities of countries regions and local communities have a stake in the
future of our seas.
The
opinion will be now discussed at the CoR Plenary in July.