EU Marine Strategy
The EU Marine Strategy, of which the Marine Strategy Framework Directive is a part, is one of seven thematic strategies adopted by the European Commission as a result of the EU's 6th Environment Action Programme (6EAP). The strategy aims to "promote sustainable use of the seas and conserve marine ecosystems", but has been criticised by environmental stakeholders for not going far enough.
The Commission's original proposal for a Marine Strategy Directive was published after three years of consultation in October 2005 and attracted immediate and substantial criticism from both environmental stakeholders and Member States. The draft was subsequently strengthened by the European Parliament and then weakened by the European Council. The "compromise" reached by the Council and Parliament in December 2007 was the product of a lengthy and difficult process.
Seas At Risk welcomes the idea of addressing all sectoral marine environmental pressures in an integrated manner but believes that neither the Commission's original proposal nor the compromise reached in December 2007 are strong enough to provide the European marine environment with the protection it requires.
With the entry into force of the Directive in July 2008, Seas At Risk is now working with its members towards an effective national implementation of the Directive’s provisions. Despite its shortcomings, this is the first encompassing piece of European legislation specifically designed to restore the marine environment to “Good Environmental Status”. Seas At Risk is therefore determined to ensure that the implementation of the Action Plan on Maritime Policy will result in the full application of the principles of the Directive to all areas of maritime economic activity.
Marine Strategy Framework Directive (Directive 2008/56/EC)
Marine Strategy Framework Directive
European Commission website for the Marine Strategy Framework Directive
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