Blog: A great, blue future for the outermost regions - Hoofdinhoud

When the European Commission proposed a renewed strategy for the Outermost Regions in 2017, we had a clear objective in mind: to equip the outermost regions to best capitalise on their unique assets, leading to new jobs and sustainable growth.

Unique assets, indeed. While the exceptional geographical and geological characteristics of the outermost regions undeniably pose challenges to economic development, they can also be your strongest allies. This is particularly true for the blue economy.

Covering traditional sectors as well as emerging businesses such as ocean energy or biotechnology, the blue economy is growing faster than the rest of the EU economy. It is estimated to double in size, supporting 7 million direct jobs and creating €1 trillion in turnover, by 2030. Surrounded by the ocean and amidst a wealth of natural assets, the outermost regions are well placed to take advantage of this trend. But how?

I believe that sustainable development of the emerging industries goes hand in hand with strengthening of the traditional sectors. Coastal tourism, probably the “blue” activity with the largest socio-economic impact in the outermost regions, still has significant growth potential. To realise that potential, we need investments that create synergies across the tourism supply chain and with other maritime activities. Clean, renewable ocean energy is a good example, as welcoming more tourists also implies servicing a higher energy demand. The need for moving towards more cyclical waste management practices is also accentuated by higher inflow of visitors. Similarly, boosting tourism means a higher demand for fresh fish, which in turn requires, investment in sustainable fishing practices and modernisation and renewal of the fleet, capacity building, as well as adequately combatting illegal fishing practices.

At the same time, there is also considerable scope to expand into entirely new areas. Blue biotechnology, for example, can become an interesting activity for the outermost regions, with plenty of space for the production of algae, a novel feedstock for the pharma, nutraceuticals, food and feed sectors.

The European Commission has identified four “enablers” for blue growth in the outermost regions: skills, research and development, access to finance, and a cautious management of natural marine resources. The EU is already very active in all of these areas: through the Youth Employment Initiative, which improves the employability of young people; through our R&D framework programme Horizon 2020; through the European Fund for Strategic Investments, which provides a successful solution to the investment gap in Europe. And so forth.

But while we have these powerful policy tools in place, we are well aware of the difficulties our outermost regions sometimes have, trying to access these tools. We are already taking measures to facilitate this access, and will strengthen our efforts in the future. For the new European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, we propose that each Outermost Region sets up a blue economy strategy as part of national operational programmes. We propose that the overall financial envelope allocated to Outermost regions is maintained, and can be even increased. You will still be able to benefit from higher rates of support, in fishing, aquaculture, processing or marketing.

Developing and harvesting these promising blue growth opportunities are underpinned by one basic condition: conservation of the marine environment. Marine litter, overfishing or biodiversity loss are a source for concern in much of the EU. But in your regions, which depend so much on a healthy ocean, the threat is particularly visible and particularly urgent. So we need to continue our work to protect the Outermost Regions' unparalleled biodiversity. I count on your support to make that happen.

A lot of framework conditions, indeed, but I am very optimistic. As European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, I am truly convinced that the blue economy is one of the main future powerhouses of the European economy. I think that a great future is in the making. A great, blue future for Europe and its outermost regions.

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This article was originally published in Mayotte Hebdo and France-Antilles-Martinique