WWF new Mediterranean report launched, foreword from Commissioner Karmenu VELLA - Main contents
The Mediterranean Sea is deeply embedded in the cultures, livelihoods and social structure of the nations that surround it. Some of my earliest memories growing up in Malta are of the central role the Mediterranean Sea played for our family and society. Developing the blue economy of the Mediterranean has often been seen as a frontier with infinite possibilities to resolve many of the challenges and improve livelihoods of Mediterranean communities.
However, we know this not to be the case and scientific evidence has shown us the very real limitations of the ocean and the resulting degradation of ecosystems due to ineffective governance. The results of this new report from WWF demonstrates that the Mediterranean Sea is a major contributor to the regional GDP and that its natural resources represent a huge asset for the blue economy not only the region but also globally.
The report also demonstrates that developing a strong blue economy for the Mediterranean Region will greatly depend on keeping our sea, coastlines, and marine ecosystems healthy. We cannot continue to erode the very assets that Mediterranean cultures depend on.
Blue growth and ocean governance go hand in hand. Economic opportunities are integrated with environmental responsibilities. Sound ocean governance is based on conserving and sustainably using our ocean, seas and marine resources. It keeps our ocean and seas healthy for future generations. The ocean has a key role as climate regulator, as a source of food, and as an engine for economic growth. Better ocean governance is not only crucial to make sure our maritime resources are healthy and safe it also makes economic sense.
Keeping our oceans healthy, creating the enabling conditions for a sustainable blue economy, is a shared task. It is a task that crosses borders, and, particularly in the Mediterranean, a task that is not confined to the EU and its Member States.
The Rio+20 Summit in 2015 put the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans high on the political agenda. For the first time, there is an internationally agreed, political commitments for the ocean; Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water. The European Commission is determined to turn these commitments into action. That is why the Commission launched a Joint Communication on international ocean governance where we proposed 50 actions to improve ocean management, reduce human pressure on the marine environment, and invest in ocean research and data sharing.
This report provides a series of robust recommendations to motivate both governments and business sectors in the Mediterranean Sea to transform the status quo of resource exploitation and managing dwindling resources to a sustainable approach which will increase economic security, improve livelihoods and preserve Mediterranean species and habitats for future generations. The implementation of the 2030 Agenda and SDG 14 into concrete actions to achieve a truly sustainable blue economy and to increase investments in ocean conservation and sustainable use that will put us on the path to achieving the ambitions of the SDGs.
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