Project Contribute to the European Strategies
On the fishery side, F2E matches the objectives of the EU common policy, European Fisheries Fund (EFF):
• “ensure the long-term future of fishing activities and the sustainable use of fishery resources;
• promote sustainable development of inland fishing;
• help to boost economically viable enterprises in the fisheries sector and to make operating structures more competitive
• foster the protection of the environment and marine resources »
its ambitions cross the current priorities of the recent Belgian Presidency of the European Union, in particularly related to Flanders :
• Environment priority
“2010 is an important year for biodiversity. This applies to the evaluation of the current biodiversity policy as well as to the establishment of new targets after 2010. Flanders stimulates the EU to concentrate itself on the sustainable management of natural resources and materials. Lifecycle thinking and the uncoupling of material use and economic growth are at the centre of this approach”
• Fisheries priority
During the Belgian EU Presidency, Flanders will play an important role in the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy. At the 2010 International Fisheries Symposium the emphasis is on the relation between scientific research and fisheries. The conclusions of this symposium will be used in the frame of the debate of the European Fisheries Ministers on this reform.
• Research priority
In the field of research and green technology several Flemish initiatives link up with the coordinating priorities regarding sustainable development. Specific attention will be paid among other things to the scientific underpinning of the European Strategic Plan for Marine and Maritime Research, and to innovation in the field of bio-economy and strategic research into energy technologies.
On the vessel side, F2E anticipates the French initiative « Vessel of the future” initiated by the “Grenelle de la Mer”, presented as a important national R & D program launched for 10 or 20 years. “Materials and building, propulsion, renewable energies, detection and depollution, operations at sea, embarked systems, monitoring” are the related matters.
In the UK, the goals of F2E are in line with innovation support. “Market-led innovation” is a key policy goal at local, regional and national levels. There is also a high level of strategic interest in measures to move towards low-carbon industries – this can be seen in recent plans at sub-regional level around the Solent to initiate a Low Carbon Economic Area.