2012 Marine Targets: European Marine Strategy and Issues in High Seas
Protection of the sea
© Communautés européennes, 2008
- from: 09.12.2008
- to: 11.12.2008
- In: Brest
International experts are meeting in Brest to launch a debate which will serve as an inquest into the global conservation policies of marine ecosystems. The conference will pursue two main goals: the first aims at launching technical work on the definition of "Good Environmental Status" (GES) in marine waters, which is the first stage of implementing the marine strategy directive; the second aims to contribute to improving the understanding of the issues in high seas - be they ecological, economic or social - with a view to strengthening Member States' ability to act on the international scene to protect biodiversity beyond the areas under their jurisdiction.
The first topic will provide an opportunity to share experiences on the existing tools that can be used to define GES and to engage forward thinking on the subject. It is also envisaged, if need be, to propose a pooling of the future work, in the interest of optimising efforts and of drawing up coherent proposals within marine regions and sub-regions.
The second topic will involve engaging forward thinking, facilitated by a presentation of the issues on natural heritage, ecosystems and uses, and should culminate in a joint publication.
2012 is the deadline set for the initial technical work planned by the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive, and is also the year adopted for implementing a 'Coherent network of Marine Protected Areas' at the Johannesbourg summit on sustainable development in 2002.
This event is organised jointly by the French Ministry for Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Devlelopment and Town and Country Planning (Regional Development), the Protected Marine Areas Agency and IFREMER (French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea).
- Updated: 30.12.2008
