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‘There can’t be green without blue’

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The European Commission has proposed (17 May) new guidelines for a sustainable blue economy. The Commission is promising a new approach for all industries and sectors related to oceans, seas and coasts, from renewable energy to aquaculture. 

The latest proposal is part of the European Green Deal and the Recovery Plan for Europe. The Commission sees the EU’s blue economy as fundamental to both the environment and the economy. In particular, the EU argues that “there can’t be green without blue”. 

Green Deal Executive Vice President Frans Timmermans said: “Healthy oceans are a precondition for a thriving blue economy. Pollution, overfishing and habitat destruction, coupled with the effects of the climate crisis, all threaten the rich marine biodiversity that the blue economy depends on. We must change tack and develop a sustainable blue economy where environmental protection and economic activities go hand in hand.”   

Environment, Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius said: “Aquaculture has a growing role to play in the European food system. The sector can offer healthy food with a climate and environmental footprint generally below that of land-based farming. With the guidelines we adopted today, we want to position EU aquaculture production as the global reference for sustainability and quality, reduce our dependence on seafood imports and create more jobs, especially in coastal regions.”

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